Would you dye the grout back to it's original color? Or what else would you recommend? If you do any of the above, or a secret method...what do you charge for doing so?
I always try to explain to my customers that with a normal cleaning, I can restore the color of their grout to about 70-80%. I always recommend sealing the grout after cleaning. I also show them how I can color seal their grout giving them a 100% new look and more importantly, uniform look. If they want to stay with the same color, no problem, I have them choose the color from my color charts. Mark
If there grout does not come back to its original condition I recommend taking the grout grout down 1/8th of an inch to 1/4 of an inch and simply regrout...Colorseal does not belong on open areas below 3 floors (especially kitchens) A truckmount operation uplifts colorseal typically because it did not ahere in all the right places...With that being said, colorseal does get dirty (within a year) and in most cases (Las Vegas, NV) uplifts and blotches someones floors... People are selling colorseal here to homeowners and commercial enviroments, and when us "cleaners" get there to clean w/akaline based cleaners whos to blame??? Now the customers floors have uplifted areas of old vs. new....Good Luck my friends.:rockon:
I have done a limited amount of color sealing, but have been involved on many jobs done by others. In wet areas, the color seal may lift off. If the grout is not properly prepared or the job done correctly, the color seal may lift off. However, when done properly, I've seen jobs that are still in good shape after 5 or 6 years or longer. Scott Warrington
I have color sealed many, many floors. I have had no problems with the seal "uplifting" even when using my turbo to clean it. The way to avoid doing this to floors that have been color sealed by someone else, is to thoroughly inspect the floor and grout prior to servicing. Yes color seals do get dirty, but that is where educating the customer in proper maintenance comes into play. Also offer a maintenance program. 90% of my clients are on a maint. program, color sealed or not. If you are going to regrout you must remove at a minimum, 2/3 of the original grout for the new grout to stand a chance according to CTIOA field studies. Grout does not adhere to itself very well, and a 1/8" skim coat simply will not last. I generally charge from $2.50-$5.00 SF to clean and color seal.
In my experiences as a tile and grout cleaner for over the last 9 years, this is what I see...Maybe the colorseal jobs here in my state are subpar...But I call it like I see it, and I colorseal very seldom, and only recommend it in areas that are not in the open or 3 floors and higher...God Bless...As far as regrouting...Hmmm...If you scrape the grout ever so slightly with a perferated tool you'll freshen the grout up instantly in most sitiations...In addition, colorsealing gets dirty no matter what the customer is told even if you gave them written instructions posted on the fridge...There floors get filthy in most case in less than a year. Especially in a family setting. Then I come through the door and sometimes notice it automatically, and somtimes you can't tell till you start going...I'd Like to see a Vortex or even a Aerotech follow some of you everyday colorsealers and see what happens...I mean I use a puny water cooled 4 cylinder Nissan to get tile surfaces clean and the results uplift or blotch areas (especially the heavilly traveled areas)..Surface preping can be done right akaline/acid, but even still there are problems...I wish you folks the best of luck!
So, why no color seal above the 2nd floor? Is the air too thin? I don't understand. I thought I recognized your typing there Enviro.
Sorry if you don't understand Gary, I meant to say colorsealing may be the only best for where a truckmount can't go...Usually above three story's...Some of the new portys probaly can uplift colorseal as well...Go fiqure...
Michael, I too use a puny 4 cyl nissan powered Tm. I also use a portable M-12 from mytee. It has been my experience that if I test correctly, I can tell the difference between color sealed and non color sealed grout. If I see that it has been colored, I simply dilute my chems more and clean using less pressure. I use this routine with either the Tm or the porty. I also agree that if you cant tell the difference, it can bite you, it did me once... live and learn. If I can be of any help, please feel free to contact me, Mark
I agree. everyone has different experiences, dilluting, turning down pressure, all may be a solution, but this is how it affects me...I am the owner, I do all the work, I tell it like it is, I am not trying to offend anyone, and frankly I love what I do! God Bless!
