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Grout lines between shower tiles, bathroom walls, and floor tiles can get dirty and gray after a while. Update the appearance by cleaning and resealing.
There are three main types of grout.
Rough / non-milled mortar - Made from a mixture of cement, water and unground particles, it is used to grout lines with a width of less than one-eighth inch. Because this type of grout does not contain abrasive particles, it is ideal for natural stones such as polished marble and ceramic tiles on floors and shower walls.
Sand Grout - A cement grout ideal for grout lines greater than 1/8 inch, ideal for stone and tile. Because it is absorbent and can attract dirt; it has to be sealed.
Epoxy Mortar - Strong, durable, and versatile, the epoxy mortar is made through the combination of epoxy resins and a hardener. It's impervious to liquids and moisture, and is likely to be used on back splashes, kitchen floors, and bathrooms.
Grout cleaning
If you don't want to trap the dirt, you need to clean the mortar first.
In my experience, the best way to clean grout is to dampen the surface of the dark lines with a mixture of warm water and mild dish soap and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Then brush the grout lines with a toothbrush and rinse off the soapy water.
It can be a long or arduous task when you're making a large tile floor or large walls in a shower or bathroom.
NOTES: If you have a synthetic mortar that contains epoxy or urethane, use daily household cleaners with a neutral pH and / or slightly abrasive detergent like Soft Scrub® with bleach. Do not use undiluted bleach or other strong detergents.
Always test a new cleaning solution in an isolated location to make sure it doesn't damage your floor.
If you're not sure what type of grout you have, just glue it on with soap and water.
Advice:
• Your rhythm. You don't have to do everything in one day.
• Do your knees a favor by using a pillow or garden pillow.
• Wear gloves to protect your hands.
• Wear a mask when using unnatural detergents.
• Open the window to let in fresh air.
• Take special care not to use detergents that contain harsh chemicals, acids, lemon, ammonia, or vinegar, which can damage the surface of your tiles and irritate your hands and eyes.
• Ö ... Hire someone who specializes in tile or stone floors to do the job for you.
Seal the mortar
After cleaning the mortar, it's important to protect it from dirt, mold, bacteria, and powdery mildew. Buy a professional sealer. Please read the instructions carefully before starting the application. Now we're going to seal.
1 | Seal only cement-based mortars - Synthetic mortars containing epoxy or urethane should NOT be sealed. Also, don't seal grout that has had a paint or stain applied to the dirt.
2 | Joint seals break down over time. You need to reseal the floor mortar every three to five years and the shower mortar once a year. Always clean the mortar thoroughly before resealing.
3 | Buy the right applicator for the sealant. A brush tip applicator is great for sealing vertical seam lines in showers and bathtubs. A roller applicator is best for tile floors or horizontal surfaces like countertops.
4 | Pay attention to the temperature. To prevent the sealant from drying out on the tile surface, do not seal the grout when it is hot in the home or on a surface exposed to direct sunlight.
5 | Work in small chunks that can each be done in five to ten minutes. Make sure the mortar is saturated with the sealer. Then, after completing a section, wipe any excess sealant off the tiles with paper towels.
6 | Let the sealer dry for at least three hours before walking on the tile or using any of the sealed tile surfaces. Let the tiles dry completely before using the shower. This drying process can take a day or two.
7 | Eliminate mist overflow. A mist can appear if the sealant has accidentally penetrated the tiles. Just dampen it with more sealant and pat dry with paper towels.
When the job is done, you'll be much happier with cleaning the tiles in the bathrooms, floors, or backsplash. The next time this task appears in your to-do list, you'll know exactly how to do it and the work will go much faster.
For more practical tips, visit rosieonthehouse.com. Rosie Romero has been a professional in the Arizona construction and renovation industry for 35 years. She is the presenter of the radio show Rosie on the House from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturdays on KTAR-FM (92.3) in Phoenix from 9 a.m. at 11 a.m. on KAFF-AM (930) in Flagstaff and from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson.
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