Most of us have tile and grout or natural stone flooring such as travertine living in SW Florida. Tile and grout maintenance can be tricky and complicated, but beautiful tile floors are hard to beat with proper care. Tile and natural stone flooring is gorgeous and will outlast your home, and most often when clients call for a “tile and grout cleaning,” the problem is not the tile; it’s the grout. Ugly grout can make even the most expensive tile look bad and ruin the looks of a room. Unattractive grout also off-gasses due to spills, pet urine, dirty mop water, etc., that have absorbed into the grout and turned to bacteria.
Here’s how to protect your grout from becoming “UGLY!”
Color Seal vs. Clear Seal — Advantages of Each
Grout is prone to moisture and damage because it is porous. You need to clean and maintain your tile and grout as often as you clean your carpet. To protect and maintain grout, sealing it is the best option. Keep reading to know more about this method.
What is Grout Sealing?
Taking care of your tile and grout now will keep you from shelling out dollars in the future for replacement or costly repairs. The best way to maintain your grout and keep it from being damaged is by sealing it. Sealing is simply the process of applying a grout sealer onto the grout to prevent moisture from creeping and soaking into the grout and under the tiles.
Grout sealing is a necessary part of the tile installation process, yet most floor contractors do not seal grout when installing tile in new homes. Since most grout contains sand, grout is extraordinarily absorbent and can retain bacteria, dirt, mold, and any liquid such as oil and water. By sealing your grout, you protect it from any damage these contaminants can cause, thus prolonging its and your tiles’ life.
Grout sealing can be of two types: color sealing and clear sealing. These two types of grout sealers provide varying levels of protection. Knowing the difference between the two can help you choose which one works best for your home.
Clear Sealing
Clear sealing is applied on the grout’s surface, keeping it safe from any debris, mopping, spills, or anything that can affect its durability and appearance. A simple, affordable clear sealer should be enough to protect your tile and grout and increase its lifespan of shine and natural color. A quality penetrating clear sealer can last up to three years, making it an excellent investment in your home!
Color Sealing
Grout color sealer by Tru-Clean Surface Care can restore your grout to its original color or change its color into a new one; it is suitable for both grout recoloring and sealing. Applying a professional color sealer is more effective at enhancing or maintaining the aesthetics of your grout than a clear seal and, with proper maintenance, is GUARANTEED FOR LIFE.
Grout Color Seal Benefits:
In addition to keeping your grout likes looking brand new, grout color sealer by Tru-Clean Surface Care contains a sealant and antimicrobial agent. If moisture comes into contact with our sealer, the antimicrobial agents will ensure no mildew or mold can form. And because the color sealer contains a sealing agent, your grout lines and color will stay looking brand new for years to come.
Grout color sealer is more durable than clear seal, and once applied by Tru-Clean Surface Care, we guarantee the look and effectiveness of the sealer, with proper maintenance, for as long as you live in your home.
Questions on Color Seal vs. Clear Seal
How Long Does Grout Color Seal Last?
Color sealer is used when the homeowner is desirous of changing the color of the grout for esthetic reasons or if the grout lines are permanently stained due to age, pet urine issues, or improper cleaning agents used. Once the grout has been damaged, a quality cleaning will not put the color back in. In this instance, a client may choose to add color by color sealing the grout.
Does Sealer Change Grout Color?
With color sealing, you can change the color of your grout to enhance its look. Grout color sealer is used to match an existing grout color or go darker, not the other way around. On the other hand, clear grout sealer is designed to protect the current color and condition of your grout while adding a layer of protection to protect your grout from staining.
Choosing Color Seal vs. Clear Seal
Once you have your tile and grout professionally cleaned, it’s essential to have the grout sealed, and here’s why. Grout is highly porous and will immediately begin to absorb spills AND mop water. It does not matter if you clean your tile with a steamer or a string mop, ANY moisture introduced to the grout will be absorbed, and over time, your grout lines will start to get dark again.
No matter which kind of sealer you have professionally applied, the important thing is you decided to have your grout sealed. Grout harbors bacteria, dirt, and liquids that can cause damage to its color, so sealing it is a great way to protect it and make it last for as long as possible.
Tru-Clean Surface Care is a Certified Partner with the prestigious Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). We are StonePro Certified and a surpHaces Certified PRO Partner.
Tru-Clean Surface Care is A+ Rated by the Better Business Bureau and an eight-year-in-a-row-winner of the coveted Angie’s List Super Service Award.
Since 2007, Tru-Clean Surface Care has been servicing the tile and grout cleaning and sealing needs of homeowners throughout SW Florida. We service all of Lee, Charlotte, and Collier County.
If our family can ever be of service to yours, please do not hesitate to visit us online at www.TruCleanSurfaceCare.com or “call us on the carpet” any time at 239-541-4888 – Cape Coral and Lee County, 239-206-1935 – Bonita Springs, Naples, and Marco Island or 941-621-2198 – Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte. You can also visit us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TruCleanSurfaceCareFL
