How to Properly Clean and Seal Ceramic Tile and Grout
Ceramic, porcelain, and stone tiles are a popular choice for floors, walls, and even countertops due to their durability and aesthetic appeal. However, over time, dirt and grime can accumulate in the grout lines between the tiles, making them appear dirty and unsightly. To maintain the cleanliness and appearance of your ceramic tile and grout, it's essential to identify dirty grout and tile and apply a sealer to prevent future contamination.
Dirty grout and tile are easy to spot if you know what to look for. Here are some signs that your ceramic tile and grout need cleaning:
o Discolored Grout Lines: If your grout lines have turned yellow, brown, or black, they are likely dirty and in need of cleaning.
o Stains: Stubborn stains caused by spills, dirt, and grime can also discolor grout and tile.
o Mold and Mildew: Moisture can cause mold and mildew to grow on grout lines, which not only makes them look unsightly but also poses a health hazard.
o Foul Odors: Dirt and grime can create unpleasant odors, especially in areas that are damp or humid.
Dirty, smelly grout joints are a challenge that can’t be solved with a mop. We begin our tile and grout cleaning process using specialized equipment, utilizing a powerful cleaning tool designed specifically for cleaning tile and grout. The tool uses high-pressure water and vacuum suction to remove dirt, grime, and stains from ceramic tiles and grout lines quickly and efficiently. Once deep cleaned, we then apply our high-performance coating.
EPIC® High-Performance Floor Finish creates a single membrane across tile and grout floors, permanently sealing the grout joints from all contamination. Available in gloss, satin, and matte finishes. Coated tile and grout floors look great, smell great, and are easy to maintain for years to come. Contact us today for a lasting solution to your dirty grout problems!
We begin our tile and grout cleaning process using specialized equipment, utilizing a powerful cleaning tool designed specifically for cleaning tile and grout. We apply a thin coat of a water-based urethane sealer to create a permanent barrier to prevent dirt and bacteria from entering the grout.
Case Study - St. Cloud Hospital, Center for Surgical Care, PACU
OVERVIEW
In partnership with Ultra Durable Technologies, Facility Health Solutions provided CentraCare - St. Cloud Hospital with a low-maintenance and economical alternative to traditional acrylic floor care systems.
EPIC® High-Performance Floor Finish was developed by Ultra Durable Technologies to completely replace the ongoing and costly maintenance requirements associated with traditional acrylic floor care programs. One thin coat of EPIC® lasts an average of 3-5 years in high traffic environments without any buffing or recoating. The labor savings allow janitorial staff to focus on other important cleaning and sanitizing duties that are increasingly important in medical facilities. In addition, the use of EPIC® High-Performance Floor Finish saves a tremendous amount of water, electricity, and chemicals that can have a negative impact on patients, visitors, staff, and the environment. Finally, all floor care work requires staff and patient displacement, all of which is a disturbance to daily operations.
THE TRIAL
CentraCare - St. Cloud Hospital, located in St. Cloud, Minnesota, conducted an initial trial of EPIC® High-Performance Floor Finish June of 2013. The goal was to monitor how long one coat of EPIC® High-Performance Floor Finish would outperform the current acrylic floor finish in the PACU (Post Anesthesia Care Unit). The area is high traffic and includes recovery bays, hallways, nurse stations, and restrooms. The initial EPIC® High-Performance Floor Finish trial was led by Molly Voigt, Director of Environmental Services. Molly and her team are responsible for 1.5 million square feet of flooring across the St. Cloud Hospital campus.
The PACU floor was brand new in 2013. The acrylic floor care program that was previously in place at CentraCare, would have required a large amount of labor each year. Due to the continuous activity and long operating hours in this department, Molly and her team knew these floors would be a challenge to maintain. The decision was made to apply EPIC® to the brand-new flooring before opening the area to staff and patients.
TRIAL OUTCOME
As of April 2021, almost eight years after the single coat of EPIC® High-Performance Floor Finish was applied, the floors still look great. The gloss is still high and there has been no buffing, striping, or recoating. The only maintenance simply involves dust mopping with a microfiber mop in smaller areas and using auto scrubbers in larger areas and halls. Beyond the financial savings, when compared to the expense of the old acrylic wax program, St. Cloud Hospital has also experienced less down time resulting in less patient and staff disruption.
St. Cloud Hospital Post-Anesthesia Care Unit - After just one application of EPIC® High-Performance Floor Finish. Over eight years without any stripping or buffing!