Dallas-Fort Worth Real Estate Investor Club

grout cleaning - is it worth it?

  • 11 Sep 2015 6:02 PM
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    Message # 3521558
    Deleted user

    During the last turnover of my rental, I replaced ALL of the linoleum and a good portion of the carpet in the downstairs with porcelain tile for easier maintenance going forward.  Duh, I completely forgot to SEAL the grout. (Perhaps it was because the tile guy took so long to complete the job?! and he didn't mention it either. But I know better :( )

    Now the first tenant that enjoyed the new tile is gone, and there are areas where the grout is so dark.  I am 100% sure that they never wet mopped any of the tile in the 8 months they were there. AND they cooked everything with oil - the major area of soil is the dining area.

    Is it worth it at this point to:

    • Pay someone to clean the grout?
    • If so, can they really get it close to its original color? And can you recommend someone who can?
    • If so, is it worth it to then seal the grout at that point?

    Or is the grout just going to continue to get grimy because tenants won't keep it clean?

    Or should I first try to treat the stained grout on my own with bleach?! Worth a shot?

    Thanks, Paula

     
  • 12 Sep 2015 5:20 AM
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    Reply # 3521840 on 3521558
    Tim Cook

    HI Paula

    I believe Dalworth and Stanley Steamer both clean tile and I'm sure if you google them you will find many more.  I used Dalworth years ago but my tile wasn't that bad.  Just ask them what they guarantee.

    One other thing you can do AFTER you clean it if you don't like it is to pick up some grout stain and stain all the group one color and then SEAL IT.

    Good luck

    Tim
  • 12 Sep 2015 2:28 PM
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    Reply # 3522475 on 3521558
    Robin Carriger (Administrator)

    The best floor cleaning company is United Carpet Cleaning Systems & Restoration.  They don't just clean carpets.  They clean flat surface floors too!  You check them out by clicking here.

    Thanks,

    Robin 
  • 16 Sep 2015 8:06 PM
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    Reply # 3529959 on 3521558
    Deleted user

    Thanks, Robin. I had United come out to do an estimate yesterday. Their pricing is out of my landlord league. 

    Thanks, Tim. I will be contacting them next. 
  • 16 Sep 2015 8:28 PM
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    Reply # 3530010 on 3521558
    Deleted user

    I do not mean to imply that United is any more expensive than anyone else, because I don't know that yet!  It may well come back to my original question, Is it worth it? 
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