8-Step Tile Cleaning Process:
We specialize in deep cleaning tile using a 9-step cleaning process to safely remove embedded stains, bacterias, mold, mildew, and more. Our truck-mounted commercial tile cleaning system heats purified water above 230 degrees. We then inject an oxygenated form of hydrogen peroxide under 800+ lbs of pressure utilizing very specific tools and attachments. Your tile will be restored, sanitized, and will look very much as it did the day it was installed.
1. Pre-Inspection:
Technicians will make note of all challenging areas and set your expectations as well as come up with a solution for each area.
2. Area Preparation:
We will prepare the areas surrounding the tile, making sure not to disturb any carpeted or hardwood floors. At this point all furniture that will be cleaned under is moved.
3. Dry soil removal:
Our technicians thoroughly sweep and vacuum the entire area, maximizing the results we obtain. As in any cleaning process, dry soil removal is the most important.
4. Soil Suspension:
We use the highest quality products. The cleaning agent sprayed over the entire surface of your tile is the most scientifically advanced tile cleaner on the market.
5. Cleaning:
Complex and difficult areas are agitated manually with a brush and for really challenging heavy use areas, a mechanical rotating brush is employed. The entire floor is then cleaned using a state of the art self-contained pressure cleaning system known as the SX-12 floor cleaning tool.
6. Rinsing:
A rinse solution is pumped through the machine during cleaning, sanitizing and balancing the pH of your floor at 7 (neutral).
7. Sealing/Finishing:
The type of sealer and application varies on what surface it is being applied to. If grout is in need of colorizing, the color is added during the sealing process.
8. Post-inspection:
Technicians will initiate a walk through and go over results before leaving.
Grout Sealing:
Sealing grout with a premium sealer is the only way to protect it from a water or oil-based stain. Grout is a very porous material and without the protection of a premium sealer it will be extremely susceptible to staining. A sealer will simply reduce the chance of a spill from penetrating into the porous surface of your floor or countertop’s grout lines and gives you time to clean it up before staining occurs. By having Sierra Tile, Stone and Carpet Care seal your grout you can feel confident that your investment has been properly protected from possible future staining.
Clear Seal
We use a unique solvent-based, V.O.C. compliant fluorochemical impregnating sealer, which penetrates the grout to protect against water and oil based staining while allowing the substrate to breath properly. It is non-yellowing, long lasting, and will not change the appearance of your grout. Sealing grout with a clear sealer is typically the choice when no pre-existing stains are present.
Color Sealing
Color Sealing Grout provides a water-tight, stain proof layer of protection and eliminates color variations in grout due to stains, fading or damage. We can match any color grout you may have and can maintain that color uniformly from wall to wall. We can also change your grout to a completely new color of your choice if you choose. This process will restore your floors and/or countertops to its original beauty and eliminate the chance of your grout from ever staining again and makes maintenance very simple and easy.
Did you know? Grout Color Sealing has built-in anti-microbial, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial solutions that provide sanitation for years!
F.A.Q.
Why is it important to have my grout sealed?
Grout sealers will help prevent spills from penetrating into the porous surface of the grout (see picture below) and gives you time to clean it up. Simply blot fresh spills with a clean cloth or paper towel. The sealer continues to protect even after repeated cleanings. Essentially, sealing grout with a “quality” grout sealer is the only way to protect your investment from water-based and oil-based stains.
*Notice in the photo how the water soaks into the grout on the right where it has not been protected with a grout sealer and it darkens the grout, yet it beads up on the left where it has been sealed
Does my ceramic tile need to be sealed?
No. The ceramic tile is sealed in the manufacturing process but the grout between the tiles should always be sealed.
How does a sealer protect my floor?
The penetrating sealer is absorbed by the Natural Stone or Ceramic Tile Grout. It fills up the “nooks and crannies” with the sealer solids so that when spills occur (oil or water based) the liquid cannot get below the surface, and it sits on the surface of the grout, allowing you to wipe it away.
What do sealers protect against?
A penetrating sealer repels water-based and oil-based liquids and beverages and protects the surface from dirt and impurities. Keep in mind that your grout can still get dirty, even if it is sealed with a quality grout sealer. It will simply clean up with less of a chance of a stain occurring. If you want your grout to actually be “Stain Proof” you will need to have your grout color sealed.
Does a sealer alter the appearance of the grout?
No. Not our clear sealers. They protect without changing the original color, texture, feel or appearance of the surface. However, we also offer color-enhancing sealers for natural stone, marble, granite, limestone and masonry surfaces as well as our color sealants that can change you grout color to whatever color choice you may pick.
Is a sealer expensive?
Yes and No. Most professional grade sealers are quite expensive. Some sealers purchased at big box stores are not. We use only professional grade sealers and we do not use box store sealers. Our sealing programs on the other hand are very affordable and can actually SAVE you money in cleaning and replacement costs.
How is a sealer applied?
First, the floor is professionally cleaned, neutralized and fully dried. Then, the sealer is applied using professional equipment and allowed to soak into the grout and/or natural stone for approximately five to ten minutes. Finally, the excess sealer is removed from the surface using a floor buffer and allowed to dry.
Why is it necessary for a professional to apply sealer? Can’t I do it myself?
Our professionals have the training, experience, tools and a wide variety of sealers for all types of natural stone, tiles and grout. Professional application ensures complete protection for the entire surface of the floor. Improper sealing can also leave a sticky residue on the surface of the floor that is difficult, if not impossible, to remove.
How should I maintain my sealed floor?
We will help by educating you on the correct maintenance procedures for cleaning your tile and grout and most importantly what to stay away from in terms of cleaning solutions that might have an adverse affect on your newly sealed grout. We offer an excellent line of suitable cleaning products through our company and typically supply you with a bottle, free of charge, to get you started. *It is important to use the right cleaning solution, as the wrong type can actually break down the sealer and render it useless.
Will my floor ever have to be professionally cleaned and sealed again?
Yes. We can provide periodic maintenance cleanings and re-seal your grout (when needed) to keep your floors in top condition. The frequency will depend on the amount of traffic on them, frequency of spills, your cleaning habits, etc. A grout sealer will essentially make maintaining your floors much easier and more effective, but not maintenance free.
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What are the advantages of having a Color Sealer applied to my grout?
While a normal clear sealer can give you great protection from stains, having a color sealer applied can truly make your grout lines stain proof. Basically, your grout line becomes waterproof and stain proof. Also, any dirt or spills can be cleaned up with even more ease than that of a clear sealed floor. At the same time it will also block out any stains or color blemishes that may already exist in your grout lines giving your grout a more uniform appearance and making it look new again.
What areas in my house can you Color Seal?
We can Color Seal most tile surfaces including floors, walls, counter tops in your kitchen and baths and on some occasions your shower surround. Typically, the tile needs to be a man made product like ceramic tile or porcelain tile and the grout needs to be a sanded grout for the sealer to bond properly.
What do these Color Sealers protect against?
Our Color Sealer repels water-based, oil-based and some mild acid based liquids (like coffee and red wines); prevents stains caused by most foods; and protects the surface from dirt and impurities. It also contains agents to reduce mildew and bacteria from forming in it.
Can you match any existing grout color?
Yes. We can match nearly every grout manufacturer’s color palate and you can choose virtually any color you would like. So, if you are not completely happy with your existing grout color we can change it to any color of your choice.
How long does Color Seal Protection last?
Under normal use if the tile and grout are maintained properly, the protection should last for approximately 5-10 years before any touch-up work would be needed.
*We also offer a lifetime guarantee on any floor that has been color sealed by us and is cleaned and maintained by us on an annual basis. This guarantee states that if the sealer starts to break down at any time, while we are maintaining it, we will touch up any of the areas free of charge, ensuring that you get a lifetime of protection and beauty for your grout.
What does a Color Sealed floor look like?
The grout will look new again with a glare free, uniform color throughout. Call us today and we can show you a sample area on your tile floor that has been Color Sealed so you can see for yourself, first hand, how beautiful and maintenance free your floor can really be.
How is the Color Seal applied?
First, the floor is professionally cleaned, neutralized, and fully dried. Then, the sealer is applied using professional equipment and allowed to soak into the grout. The excess is now wiped up using a dry cloth.
How soon after the Color Seal has been applied can we walk on the tile floor?
The Sealer will be dry enough to walk on as soon as the job is complete. Typically, it takes about 2 hours to dry and it is fully cured within 2 weeks.
Why is it necessary for a professional to apply a Color Sealer? Can’t I do it myself?
Our professionals have the proper training, experience and tools to do the job right the first time. One of the most important steps in applying this type of sealer is grout preparation. This is achieved by using our state-of-the-art tile and grout cleaning equipment and our 8 step cleaning process. A professional application also ensures complete protection for the entire surface of the floor. Proper application of the Color Sealer is an art that is learned through training and practice. It is difficult to master this process in one attempt and not recommended.
cleaning & MAINTENANCE
General cleaners not specifically formulated for natural stone or tile are never recommended. These can breakdown the sealer, thereby removing its protective properties and making the stone and tile grout susceptible to stains. Worse yet, many cleaning products, including those that contain lemon, vinegar, bleach or ammonia can etch away the polish, discolor the surface, or even scratch your stone. Many cleaners have what is called a chelating agent in them. This agent breaks down and dissolves minerals in hard water. Since all stone is made up of minerals, these types of cleaners will dissolve and cause streaks over prolonged use. Carolina Carpet Cleaning offers the complete line of StoneTech Professional™ Products.
Ceramic tile and grout is man-made clay fired material. Glazed ceramic tile does not normally require any protective treatment. It is the glaze itself that gives the tile its excellent protection and resistance to the absorption of dirt. Many of the new ceramic tiles in today’s market are manufactured to look like real stone. Carolina Carpet Cleaning offers tile and grout cleaning and sealing. For best results, have your ceramic tile and grout sealed and use a neutral stone cleaner such as StoneTech Professional™ Stone and Tile Cleaner available through Carolina Carpet Cleaning.
Quarry tiles are an unglazed ceramic material. They are particularly well suited for exterior paving due to their low absorption and resistance to freezing. This type of floor is one of the most durable on the market today. Carolina Carpet Cleaning offers cleaning or stripping along with sealing or a wax finish. For best results, have your quarry tile & pavers brick sealed and use a neutral stone cleaner like StoneTech Professional™ Stone and Tile Cleaner available through Carolina Carpet Cleaning.
Terracotta tile or Saltillo tile is one of the oldest ceramic materials made by man. This type of tile is created by mixing clay and water, leaving it to dry naturally and then baking it in a kiln. Saltillo tile has particular characteristics that demand special treatment. Carolina Carpet Cleaning offers cleaning and sealing for this type of floor. For best results, have your terracotta tile or saltillo sealed and use a neutral stone cleaner such as StoneTech Professional™ Stone and Tile Cleaner available through Carolina Carpet Cleaning.