Q. Why is it important to have my Tile & Grout surface sealed?
A. Sealing your Tile & Grout surface is the only way to protect your investment from water-based and oil-based stains. A sealer prevents a spill from penetrating into the extremely porous surface which gives you time to clean it up. Clean-ups are a snap! Simply blot fresh spills with a clean cloth or paper towel. The sealer continues to protect, even after repeated cleanings.
Q. How does a sealer protect my surface?
A. The penetrating sealer is absorbed by the pores of the Natural Stone or Ceramic Tile & Grout. It fills up the "nooks and crannies" so that wet stains cannot get below the surface. Soil sits on the surface until it is swept or wiped away.
Q. How is a sealer applied?
A. First, the floor is professionally cleaned, neutralized, and fully dried. Then, the sealer is applied using professional equipment and allowed to soak into the surface material for ten to thirty minutes, depending on your choice of sealer. Finally, the excess sealer is buffed off the surface and allowed to dry.
Q. Do you have other sealers to choose from?
A. Yes. We have a wide assortment of sealers, designed for a variety of surfaces and conditions. Some sealers are designed for interior use only, others for exterior use. Some protect against water only, others against oil and water. Some are designed specifically for floors with high porosity, such as limestone, slate, brick, and concrete. We will help you make the decision to select the most suitable sealer.
Q. How should I maintain my sealed surface?
A. Drytreat is chemical resistant to cleaners so you can use whatever you regularly use. Other sealers we recommend neutral cleaners only.
Q. Will my surfaces ever have to be professionally cleaned and sealed again?
A. Cleaned? Yes, as part of routine maintenance only. We can provide periodic maintenance to keep your surfaces in top condition. Sealers make maintaining your floors much easier and more effective, but not maintenance free. Drytreat does not need to be reapplied for at least 15-years. Other sealers we recommend 3-5 years for reapplication.
Q. Why is it necessary for a professional to apply sealer? Can't I do it myself?
A. We, as professionals, have the training, experience, and tools for applying a wide variety of sealers for all types of natural stone, tiles, and grout. Professional application ensures complete protection for the entire surface. Improper application can leave a sticky residue on the surface of the floor that is difficult and sometimes impossible to remove.
Q. What do sealers protect against?
A. A penetrating sealer repels water-based and oil-based liquids, prevents stains caused by most food and beverages; and protects the surface from dirt and impurities.
Q. Does a sealer alter the appearance of a surface?
A. Our sealers usually protect without changing the original color, texture, feel, or appearance of the surface. We also offer color-enhancing sealers for interior natural stone, marble, granite, limestone, and masonry surfaces.
Q. What is regrouting?
A. Regrouting is a procedure where all of the grout, between tiles, is removed by hand by individually scraping out each grout line. This is followed by replacing the old grout, with new grout. We also remove and replace the caulking, polish up the tiles, and leave your area looking as new as possible.
Some contractors define regrouting as “scratch and grout” which is where they simply scratch the surface and put new grout over it. This is not the proper procedure and will not last.
Q. When should I regrout?
A. Sometimes when grout becomes moldy or filled with mildew, the only way to completely get rid of it is to regrout. If you suspect leakage or see water stains on the ceiling below the bathroom. 9 times out of 10, leakage is due to missing grout or caulk and not a plumbing problem. Even tiny holes, or hairline cracks, can cause major problems. A grout specialist can easily assess the condition of your grout and whether or not it is likely to be the cause of leaks. Regrouting can save you from having to spend thousands of dollars remodeling your bathroom. Leaks, left unchecked, will eventually result in rotted wallboard behind the tiles. Tiles will fall off. Mildew will become rampant and the wall will have to be replaced. If you cannot get it clean no matter what you do, it is best to regrout.
If a few tiles are loose, but not all we can repair and then regrout.
Q. What about floor grout, can that be regrouted?
A. Floor grout, which is a stronger sanded grout and much more difficult to remove can be regrouted. There can be a few reasons why floor grout is cracking or missing. The situation needs to be assessed closely. If could be determined that the tiles are loose and no longer adhering to the underlayment.. It’s possible no underlayment was used at all in which case, tiles were originally set on wood. This is always a problem.
If your tiles are loose, which is normally the case when you see cracked floor grout, removing the grout will most likely make the floor fall apart. At his point it is best to get a new floor installation. If you choose to go with tile again, we can recommend a few installers to you that we know will do a great job for you.
Q. How long does regrouting take?
A. There really is not set time. Each situation is different. A time estimate will be discussed in our meeting.Tiles could fall off and need to be repaired which will take a little more time. (Regrouting will not loosen tiles. Tiles will only come off during regrouting if they were already separated from the wallboard and being held by grout alone.)
Q. How long will the new grout last?
A. With proper maintenance, it will last a very long time. We show you the proper way to care for grout so it lasts for many, many years. Heavy bleaching agents, like the kinds most people use on a daily basis, ARE NOT good for grout and eventually eat it away.
Q. How long do I have to wait to use my shower after a regrout?
A. We always recommend sealing your new grout. This cannot be done for at least 72 hours after the new grout was installed. If you only have one shower we can tarp off the walls so it is usable until our return.
Q. I have a few missing tiles I need fixed. Why can’t I find tiles to match the rest?
A. Just like carpeting, and other home decor items, tile colors (dye lots) were created
to match what was popular at the time. These colors may not be being reproduced now and will be impossible to find. We will try to use the tiles that have fallen off. Sometimes this is not possible. Depending on where the tiles are missing from, you may be able to get away with strategically placing decorative tiles in these areas.
Q. Do you install floor tile?
A. No, we do not. We only repair. But we can refer you to a few installers we can put our name behind.
Q. What kind of caulk do you use?
A. We only use Latasil Tile and Stone Sealant. It is 100% silicone and made for underwater applications. A little overkill for a shower or backsplash but we like to “overfix” projects so you get longevity out of our workmanship.
Click here for "Process For Re-grouting and Re-caulking"
