Dramatic Transformation! This Tile Shower in Fort Myers, FL Was Completely Renovated after a Professional Grout Cleaning
August 13, 2017
Home is where you find peace and shelter at the end of the day. Therefore, the desire to have a nice home to live in is fairly justified. Many homeowners do their best to create a pleasant space that fits their needs and lifestyle. For this reason, they try to combine durable and fashionable materials that can take years of use. That was the case of this homeowner who lived in Fort Myers, FL—a sunny, touristy area well-known for its beaches and shopping. The owner had bought a condominium near the beach, where he took long walks every afternoon. He loved his home, and he often entertained friends and family there. The man took good care of his condo. However, time, constant use, and climate had combined to give his shower an unsightly look. The only way to restore it would be by hiring a Fort Myers grout cleaning company.From the moment our customer bought this cozy condo, everything was immaculate. It was spacious and well-designed, and he immediately felt at home. He loved the fact that it was near the beach and it had a view of the ocean. He also loved having a guest room where he could have friends and family stay for vacation and holidays. The guest room had a nice bathroom with light-colored tiles that offered privacy for his guests, while he could enjoy his own. The only set back was having to deal with the maintenance of the property in such intense humidity.
Some years later, just as expected, beach sand and humidity seemed to be the number one enemy of his tiled surfaces. Even though the owner used to follow a strict cleaning routine with several cleaners, the appearance of the surfaces seemed to worsen. The homeowner was frustrated with the thought of receiving his family with such a dingy shower—it was dirty and stained, with brownish, chipped, and cracked grout lines and caulk. He knew he had to look for professional help but had no idea where to look. One day while scrolling through Facebook, the owner saw a friend's post about Sir Grout SW Florida—a company offering grout cleaning in Fort Myers. He decided to visit our website and schedule a free in-home consultation.
The day of the evaluation, our team of technicians arrived at the apartment on time. The homeowner guided them to the shower and let them assess the situation. The experts were able to determine the signs of deterioration, as well as what had caused them. They explained to the owner that showers are regularly exposed to moisture, but humidity and high temperatures had played a major role in the decay. It was stained and worn down, but the most damage appeared in the grout lines and expansion joints, which were cracked and chipped with mold and mildew. The specialists told the client that it was necessary to perform a multi-stage procedure to regain the original appearance of the shower.
Every house deteriorates over time and use, but homes near the beach are more prone to show signs of damage due to their proximity to the water and the high Floridian temperatures. Humidity is higher here as opposed to places with cooler environments; this humidity and moisture lead to mold and mildew growth. This, combined with incorrect cleaning products and methods that damage grout lines and caulk, allow water to seep underneath the tiles.
Thorough cleaning
The team began by using a combination of appropriate cleaners and a high-speed scrubber to remove the dirt, soap scum, and stains from the surface. After, they used vapor steam cleaning for the stubborn areas and to eliminate the mold and mildew.
Caulk repair
Caulk is a tough material that fills and seals the space where the floor tile meets the wall tile. Sealing this is crucial to prevent water damage on hard surfaces. The team applied STAINMASTER Epoxy Caulk, which is extra tough to ensure a long-lasting protection. This cutting-edge product is resistant to mold and mildew. Also, it comes in a myriad of colors, allowing the owner to choose a shade that matches the tiles.
Grout color sealing
One of grout's main characteristics is porosity, which allows permeation of liquid through the grout lines and under the tiles. For this reason, it's necessary to seal the surface right after installation. Since showers are overly exposed to water and moisture, the experts decided to use Epoxy ColorSeal—our proprietary epoxy grout sealant. This durable product holds up over time longer than any other sealant, creating a shield against spills, stains, mold and mildew. Though they had been thoroughly cleaned, the color of grout lines was uneven with brownish spots and discoloration, which made Epoxy ColorSeal very convenient as it also offers multiple options to recolor grout. The best part is that it makes surfaces easier to clean.
Showing the results to the owner
Our technicians finished the job and let the homeowner into the shower to show him the results. He thanked the team while looking over every detail. He said he was so happy with the exceptional results that he wanted to hire our services to rejuvenate his master bath as well.
Before leaving, the team gave some maintenance and care tips for the upkeep of the results and to prevent future damage. They said that bathrooms are constantly exposed to heavy foot traffic and moisture. Therefore, it needed to be cleaned daily to remove the dirt from the surface, preventing scratches and cracks on the tiles. They recommended keeping the surface as dry as possible, cleaning it with a squeegee or a cloth after taking a shower. Also, the specialists explained that it is necessary to use pH-neutral, soap-less cleaners since they leave a film on the surface that attracts dirt.
If you think your shower needs professional grout cleaners, give us a call at (239) 326-0602 or fill out the "Request a Quote" form on this page to set up a date for a free evaluation.
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Categories: Tile, Grout, Cleaning, Recoloring, Caulking, Color Enhancement, Walls, Showers, Bathrooms