Tile Cleaning

**topnotchman** · 08-20-2008, 01:40 AM

Today was an interesting day. Got a call in the AM for a carpet cleaning job. I Get ready to book it, and she asks if I clean tile. I say I do not, but she wants the carpet and tile done at the same time because company is coming in 2 days, and doesn't book the job with me!! AHHH!! Never happened before!
Then on my job today, the lady asked if I cleaned tile!! Ok, I really dont get asked much, but 2 times in one day?

So the question of the day is, how many are cleaning tile and grout? Lucrative or just a good income booster now and then? (kind of like upholstery, dont do too much of it) its got me thinking now!

**Lance Golden** · 08-20-2008, 08:39 AM

If your not doing tile by now...

Call me if I can help....

**Scrubbs** · 08-20-2008, 08:54 AM

T&G Cleaning and Sealing is a GREAT profit maker!!! One better is Color Sealing, huge potential there. The product I like best in color sealing is Grout Perfect. Check out Grout Perfect - Makes your grout WATERPROOF and RESIST STAINS for years! if you need any help with any of this, give me a shout.

Mark

**Jim Martin** · 08-20-2008, 09:00 AM

with the right tools and a little bit of common since...
Tile and grout cleaning, most the time is easier then carpet cleaning and way more profitable.....

**Lance Golden** · 08-20-2008, 09:32 AM

Jim, If I may ask? you use a "pile brush" for the grout lines?

**Jim Martin** · 08-20-2008, 09:45 AM

Yep............

I don't ever spray my chemical on......it is waste of time and I don't want to take the chance of over spray on appliance or other things........I also don't want to waste my time scrubbing one line at a time....So I pour my chemical in a open area and work it around using the pile brush......I cover more area and while I am working it around I am scrubbing a wide area at the same time....I use the smaller brush for edges and controlling the chemical along carpeting and things like that....this brush is soft enough to get into the grout line but it is stiff enough to scrub at the same time....

**Lance Golden** · 08-20-2008, 09:54 AM

Jim, Good response... thats what I do as well....

**Rob Allen** · 08-20-2008, 09:57 AM

Jim is quite the thinker! Good tip.

**TheEyeball** · 08-20-2008, 11:55 AM

Topnotchman,

The first time I did tile/grout cleaning I was shocked at how easy it is, and how great the results are.

Also, you don't necessarily need to buy any new equipment to do it. I have a Spinner but rarely use it. I use an old wand with an old Green Glide on it. Four years ago we spent over $1500 on a Spinner and some accessories that sit in my garage. You can start offering this service with tools you probably already have!

**Scott W** · 08-20-2008, 12:17 PM

The last thing a cleaner should want is one of his customers calling another cleaner because he did not offer the service the customer wanted. Even if it was only to keep all your carpet cleaning carpets, it would be good to be able to clean tile and grout.

More and more new homes have some rooms tile. Sooner or later they will be calling someone to clean that surface. And guess what, it pays much better than carpet cleaning. If you include sealing, 3 or 4 or 5 times what you are charging for carpet cleaning.

Scott Warrington

**DavesCarpetCleaning** · 08-20-2008, 01:36 PM

I don't do tile because I don't know how. I see the picture but I have no idea what chemicals are used and basically I don't know the steps to cleaning it. Also, is tile cleaning for ceramic tile only?

**TheEyeball** · 08-20-2008, 04:12 PM

Originally Posted by DavesCarpetCleaning

I don't do tile because I don't know how. I see the picture but I have no idea what chemicals are used and basically I don't know the steps to cleaning it. Also, is tile cleaning for ceramic tile only?

Dave, I'm sure others do it differently but here is how I do it:

1 Using pump up sprayer, spray grout lines and tile with your choice of several awesome cleaners currently available. Just read the label for dilution, I use Viper Venom and/or Viper Renew (link) InterlinkSupply.com - Carpet Cleaning Supply provides equipment, chemicals, and accessories for carpet, hard surface cleaning and restoration professionals I use a pump up sprayer to keep from accidentally hosing down appliances and baseboard with chemical.

2 Sometimes I brush the grout lines with one of these (link): Hydro-Force | GROUT BRUSH - HANDLE SOLD SEPARATELY (AB18H) | InterlinkSupply Sometimes I brush the tile with a regular deck brush

3 Extract chemical just like you're cleaning carpet with an old wand with a slotted Green Glide. I only use about 400psi. Make a few dry strokes, done.

4 If customer wants, seal grout lines with one of these (link):http://www.interlinksupply.com/index...++++++++++++++
If I don't feel like using one of those, I use an empty spray bottle with a flip top lid (like what would be on a bottle of spotter), and crawl around on my hands and knees, holding the bottle upside down, applying the sealer.

Of course this is a watered down version, but it's easy as all get out! If you ever want help or have questions pm me!

PS--It works on a lot more than just ceramic tile. I've even used it on travertine and marble, but the steps are different and more care is involved.

**TheEyeball** · 08-20-2008, 04:14 PM

Sorry some of the links are messy

**topnotchman** · 08-20-2008, 04:24 PM

good replies guys..

so I know just like carpet cleaning rates vary, but whats people charging average per square foot of tile and grout cleaning? How much extra for sealing?

**johntalley** · 08-20-2008, 04:50 PM

A few times I just cleaned the tile with a wand and srub brush .. I never told them "no" .. But it has never looked like Jims floor ..

I know there are lots of things to learn and a classs or 2 I can take

Jim and Lance

Can you please list a tool list that you use ?

I keep buying crap that I don't use and don't need because at the start I don't know any better

**Scott W** · 08-20-2008, 05:06 PM

There is a training program available - Professionally editted video of a job being done, narration, work book and some sample of marketing materials you can use. Accelerated Tile & Grout Cleaning by Chris Avendano.

DavesCC - Ceramic tile is the most common and one of the easiest tiles to clean. But many other types can be cleaned - porcelain, quarry, Saltillo, even most kinds of natural stone.

Scott Warrington

**Lance Golden** · 08-20-2008, 06:08 PM

[QUOTE=johntalley;7442
Jim and Lance

Can you please list a tool list that you use ?

I keep buying crap that I don't use and don't need because at the start I don't know any better

[/QUOTE]

John,
1) Chems: I prefer "Viper venom" And as a last resort, May use Viper renew.

2) depending on the house setup: I use my battery operated "Omni-Pro" sprayer, or as per instructions, "mop-on"

3) finally flush using a good quality "turbo" I like to run a PSI around 800- 1000 on man-made tile, much less pressure on "natural" stone such as travertine or saltillo

Hope this helps a little

**Jim Martin** · 08-20-2008, 08:34 PM

I get my chemicals at a little mom and pop supply shop here in town....
I mix 2 gallons at a time and each mix cost $6.00...Pretty cost effective....

If you look at the jug in the picture I have marks on it...I don't waste time measuring out every time I need to make a mix.., I measured it once and marked it....Makes things much easier......Bottom mark is for dirty floors and the one above it is for real dirty floors and the top mark is my water level...

As I stated above..I pour my chemical on...IMO..you waste to much time with a pump up...plus you take a chance of getting in on things and causing damage....
you have way more control over the chemical if you pour it on and push it around with a brush....let the chemical do it's job....

My PSI is normally around 800...If the chemical is doing it's job then there is no need to go any higher..you are just looking for trouble...If you find yourself having to push the 1000 to 1200 mark..switch chemicals....The floor in that picture was pretty dirty...my PSI was 850.. my temp was 220 and I had 0 dwell time...

You can see the brushes I use in the picture.... If the floor is level I like to grab the old turbo with the Teflon ring.....The down side to this tool is if the tile has high spots it likes to bounce..So if it is not level then I grab the SK-12...Because of the brushes it rides better on uneven tile...Its down side is that if you have real good vacuum it will pull threw the brush and aerate the chemical and cause some foam....Get the right chemical and this does not seem to be a problem.......

Most the time after I work the chemical to the edge..( BTW be careful..some chemicals will remove the paint off the base boards )...I can just tip the turbo or the SK-12 and flush the edge clean..If it is real bad then I use a Gekko tool.....

If I seal the grout I use the Grout wand....Pretty simple..

I use a product called 100-SS if I need to buff a shine back in it.....

Hope this helps....

**TheEyeball** · 08-20-2008, 10:10 PM

Originally Posted by Jim Martin

As I stated above..I pour my chemical on...IMO..you waste to much time with a pump up...plus you take a chance of getting in on things and causing damage....

That is very good advice.
However, I have a very low flow, foaming tip on my pump sprayer. I can cover a huge area with very little chemical.

Since it comes out in foam form, it doesn't over spray on anything else. Also, I don't have to pump very often because the foaming tip doesn't allow excess air and chemical out.