Professional Stone Cleaning and Your Floor Part 2

Part two of our series on stone cleaning explores travertine.

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How to Clean Travertine: An Insider's Guide

If you would like to know how to clean travertine, here is some information for you.  First off, know that travertine is a lot more sensitive than a stone such as granite, particularly to anything acidic.  To avoid etching your floor, make sure that you blot up spills immediately.  Even tap water may have trace amounts of chlorine in it, which is very bad.  Make sure that you blot, don't wipe.  A lot of people instinctively wipe a spill instead of blotting it.  Wiping the spill simply spreads it around.  

When you're blotting, make sure that you use either a soft cloth or a sponge.  Use hot water and a stone cleaner and stone sealer that is specifically designed for travertine.  You may also want to keep your travertine products separate from other cleaning products to avoid any mishaps, and make sure you clearly label them with something as simple as TRAVERTINE CLEANING ONLY.  While it is possible to use a pH neutral soap such as dishwashing detergent periodically, be aware that while it won't damage your stone, it will dull its finish.  

Another thing that you can do with your travertine is to use a dust mop on it at least once a week.  Make sure that your dustmop gets replaced when it starts to get worn, or you could end up scratching your stone.  Door mats, like with hardwood floors, are a good idea as they help to trap grit, dirt, and sand.  

What to Avoid When You Want to Clean Your Stone

Knowing what to avoid can also save you a lot of trouble where travertine cleaning is concerned.  First off, don't ever  use any store bought or generic products as these produces often contain acids, ammonia, or alkali, with can not only etch your stone, it can strip away any protective coatings and make your stone susceptible  to staining and damage.  You also don't want to use anything citrus based or anything like vinegar.  You also don't want use anything abrasive either as these will dull the finish of your travertine.  

So remember, taking care of your travertine is all about not only knowing what to do, but what not to do as well.  And when in doubt, call a travertine cleaning service.

Travertine is only type of stone that needs specialized care, another one is marble...

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Lone Star Tile and Grout Cleaning
4019 Stahl Rd, Suite 202
San Antonio TX 78217
(210) 637-5050
http://www.lonestartileandgroutcleaning.com

Professional Stone Cleaning and Your Floor Part 1

Before you try to do any sort of stone cleaning, there are several things you need to know.  Let's look at travertine for example.  

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Travertine Cleaning and Hiring a Pro

Travertine should always be done by a professional stone cleaning service, unless you are 100% sure that you know how to handle travertine.  The reason is that travertine is a surprisingly fragile stone particularly were exposure to certain things is concerned. Travertine is a calcium-based natural stone in the same family as marble and limestone. It is formed when deposits of calcium carbonate congeal. One of the traits of travertine are the many holes and gaps in the stone which form when carbon dioxide escapes during the formation process. Travertine is graded based on the amount of holes in the stone. The more holes there are, the lower the grade of travertine you have. However, whether low-grade travertine or high grade, these holes give travertine its distinctive texture but they also make travertine more porous. These pores make travertine also more prone to staining. Some stains are worse than others however.

For example if you spill anything acidic on travertine such as coffee, orange juice, red wine, or vinegar for a few examples, you also have a good chance of damaging your stone. And if you think this problem is confined to what you spill, sometimes the wrong cleaning solution can damage your travertine as well. To make matters worse, wet mopping your floor may also cause long term damage as well.

Travertine Care and Cleaning

A stone cleaning service knows how to clean travertine, however. They also know what not to do as well. First off the stone is gently cleaned and then it is sealed.  Stone sealer seeps into all the pores and helps to protect your stone from further stains as well as damage.  Stone sealer is a relatively modern invention that works very well and lasts at least five years, sometimes as more as a decade.  Another reason to contact a professional for your travertine cleaning is that he can give you some tips to help keep your travertine looking its best between visits.

Travertine is a beautiful addition to any home, but if you're not careful, you could end up damaging your stone...

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Lone Star Tile and Grout Cleaning
4019 Stahl Rd, Suite 202
San Antonio TX 78217
(210) 637-5050
http://www.lonestartileandgroutcleaning.com

Grout Sealing: What it Is and Why You Need it Part 2

Part two of our series on grout sealing explores giving your floor a new look.

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Grout Sealing Vs. Grout Color Sealing

There are two types of grout sealers. This sealant is either solvent based or water based. Which should you go for?  Grout sealing or grout color sealing?  Well that depends on you and your tastes.  If you just want a clean look for your floors and you wish to keep your floor looking the same, then you will want to go for regular sealing.  What about when you want to change your floor? That's were color sealing comes in.

When you call in a professional service for grout color sealing, it can totally change the way your floor looks, while at the same time protecting your floor from spills and stains.  You can choose from all of the major supplier grout colors, and give your floor a new look without ripping up the floor and re-tiling and re-grouting your floor.

Why Go For Color Sealing Your Grout

Grout color sealer is used in two ways. You can either re-capture the color that you used to have, or you can go for a new color instead. There are arguments for both. Matching your original color can make your grout look like it is new instead of years or even decades old.  It is also more about restoration.  However, if you want a fresh look, you want to change your color.  Be aware that if you want to change your grout's shade, you want to make sure that you pick something compatible.  You don't want a darker color on grout that looks better white, and vice-versa.  You want to give it careful thought before you do anything to change your floor's look, as it is can be difficult to change back.  

If you change your grout color, the color can transfer to the tile and give it a new look as well.  Be aware however, that certain types of tile such as natural stone you want to use caution on using grout color sealing as it can also change the color of your stone.  When in doubt, call a professional to help you where grout color sealing is involved.  

This concludes part two of our series on grout sealing.  For more information on this topic, be sure to read part one and part three as well.

Lone Star Tile and Grout Cleaning
4019 Stahl Rd, Suite 202
San Antonio TX 78217
(210) 637-5050
http://www.lonestartileandgroutcleaning.com

Grout Sealing: What it Is and Why You Need it Part 1

Part one of a series on grout sealing explores the concept and why you should consider getting it done for your floor.

Why Should You Get Grout Sealing Done

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Why should you get grout sealing done?  Let's start with clear sealing first.  Whether you are using resin-based grout or concrete-based grout, both types have one thing in common:  They are extremely porous.  As a result of this, that means anything from spills to dirt tracked in from outside can leave stains on your grout.  Most grout lines are snow white when they are first laid down.  Over time, however, grout lines can darken to the point of being black.

Even mopping your floor with slightly dirty water can cause your grout to become stained.  Another problem that you will face without cleaning and sealing your grout is some stains are worse than others.  For example, anything corrosive can eat away at your grout and tile.  The worst types of grout damage are not just the gaps or cracks you can see, but the ones that are underneath the tile.

Grout is not just between the tile, it is also a bit under each tile as well.  As a result, it acts like a cushion for your tile and helps to strengthen it.  When there is a gap under the tile, it can cause pressure to be placed on the tile without any support.  This can lead to a cracked tile.  The key to stopping this from happening is a two pronged approach.

Grout Cleaning and Sealing: The Two Pronged Approach

First off, you want to clean your grout.  This will remove any dirt as well as bleaching out any stains.  Once it has been cleaned, then you want to make sure that you get clear coat sealant applied.  This sealer will fill the pores of not only your grout but your tile as well.  As a result, you will have a liquid proof barrier between your tile as well as your grout and anything that can stain it or otherwise mar it's appearance.  In addition, clear grout sealing lasts for a long time, sometimes as much as a decade.  One other benefit is that it makes your floor shine.

So let's recap shall we?  It protects your tile.  It also protects your grout.  It keeps your floor shiny and bright.  All of these are very good reasons to get grout sealing done.

This concludes part one of our series on grout sealing.  For more information on this topic, be sure to read part two and part three as well.

Lone Star Tile and Grout Cleaning
4019 Stahl Rd, Suite 202
San Antonio TX 78217
(210) 637-5050
http://www.lonestartileandgroutcleaning.com

How to Find a Professional Tile Cleaning Service in San Antonio

Knowing how to find a professional tile cleaning service in San Antonio isn't really too hard.  You just need to know what to look for.

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What to Look For in a Tile Cleaning Service

If you know what to look for in a tile cleaning service, as well as how to look, it is actually one of the easier things around.  To sum it up, however, you need expertise, good reputation, and compatible schedules.  First off, let's go over expertise.   First off, you can find this out by simply looking over the services they offer.

Do they just do tile cleaning, or do they offer other services such as grout color sealing, hardwood floors and more?  Why does this matter? Well, there is something to be said for consolidating service providers.  So instead of a wood floor guy, a tile guy, a grout guy, wouldn't it be good to have them all be the same guy? However, expertise is only part of what to look for.  Next you have to check out their reputation.

Online Reputation and Tile Cleaning Providers

Do they have reviews?  If so, what sort of reviews do they have?  Ironically, a big red flag is general, universally positive reviews.  Reviews like "They're Amazing" "Did a great job," or other such comments are usually a sign of fake accounts created by commercial Internet marketers.  You want to look for reviews that give details.  What did the reviewer like about the service?   However, don't just count on online reputation when you're wanting tile cleaning. Check with your friends and family.  Did any of them work with them before, and if so, how did they like the service? We know what you're thinking.  What about the price they charge?  Well, when you're finding out about the service you're looking at, sometimes, you can find out something about pricing simply by talking to someone.  If the reviewer, or your friends and family all say "they were way too expensive," probably a good idea to shop around some more.

The final thing to consider is schedule compatibility.  You work rotating 12 hour shifts, and the cleaning service is only open noon to four on every day you're working.  Obviously, you're in a bit of a scheduling issue.  You want someone who will have a good range of business hours so that you don't have to either be cut short of sleep or have to take the day off work. However, by working together, this is the least of the challenges in finding a tile cleaning service in San Antonio.

Lone Star Tile and Grout Cleaning
4019 Stahl Rd, Suite 202
San Antonio TX 78217
(210) 637-5050
http://www.lonestartileandgroutcleaning.com

Why Get Re-Grouting Done?

Why should you get re-grouting done?  Well it is all due to the nature of grout.

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What Grout Does and Why You May Need Re-Grouting

A lot of people just think that grout is the stuff between the tiles, and nothing more.  However, grout isn't just between your tiles, it is also underneath them as well.  And grout serves a protective purpose as well as a decorative one.  If grout is applied evenly, it helps to fill any pores or holes in the tile.  Grout helps to protect the tiles and strengthen them.  As you step on your tile, particularly ceramic tile such as porcelain, terra cotta, etc., you're putting pressure on the tile.  If you have grout that has gaps, or is even missing, the tile will be able to stand the stress and strain on it for just a little while until finally you will hear the last sound you want to hear: the sound of tile cracking.  It is hard to often repair tile well.  There will always be a raised crack.  However, if you choose to repair your grout, that is much easier.  While you may be able to do this yourself, you might be better off calling a grout service instead.

Why should you call a grout service for re-grouting?  Well, professional services have both the knowledge level you're going to need as well as the experience.  They are also going to have a lot of compounds and solutions that you just won't have access to, not to mention all of the equipment.  You also want to get a professional because they can color match your grout or if necessary color seal it so that your grout matches exactly.   What happens after re-grouting is also an important step

Grout Sealing:  Protect Your Tile AND Your Grout

Grout sealing is a very good idea.  It not only protects your ceramic tile, it protects the grout.  Why this matters is simple.  Grout is extremely porous, very easily stained, and in some cases, some stains can also eat away at the grout.   With sealant applied however, you can protect both the tile and the grout itself, in a nice stainproof, easy to clean shell that lasts for years or even decades.  

So remember, replacing tile can get expensive.  Why not go for an alternative that will keep your tile and improve it?  Get re-grouting done today.  

Lone Star Tile and Grout Cleaning
4019 Stahl Rd, Suite 202
San Antonio TX 78217
(210) 637-5050
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Bathroom Remodeling in Cibolo, TX

When people think of giving their home a complete makeover, they usually think of things like new furniture and paint, not bathroom remodeling.  However, this article will explore why you might want to do it.

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Why Should You Remodel Your Bathroom?

Why should you remodel your bathroom?  Well for one, any sort of remodeling helps improve your morale.  Get rid of that tired old look.  If you think about it, when you add it most people spend a whopping 15 days a year in the bathroom, so why not make it a beautiful place to be.

First off, you want to pick your paint colors when you're thinking about remodeling your bathroom.  Are you going to go with blues and greens, or have a palette that includes more vibrant hues like reds, oranges,  and yellows?  What sort of bathroom fixtures are you going to go for?  Classic chrome and nickel finish, or something more exotic like bronze, copper, or even gold?  All of these are important considerations, however, you also don't want to forget your shower or bath area, especially your tile and grout.

Bathroom Remodeling in Cibolo and Beyond

You want to make sure you call in a service for help with bathroom remodeling in Cibolo, or wherever you call home.  Usually such services are experts in a lot of different areas from tile and grout cleaning, hardwood floors, and natural stone care, among other services.  They are almost always experienced, and have access to solutions and products that you wouldn't have at your local hardware store.  They can also  help save you a lot of money with something as simple as re-grouting and sealing, or even grout color sealing.

Remember, if you're clever enough, bathroom remodeling doesn't have to cost a fortune to get it done.  Something as simple as a grout color sealing job, like what we covered in our last article can make a huge difference in the way that bathroom tile looks.

Remember, it is your bathroom.  You want your home to be beautiful.  That includes your bathroom.  So make sure you have a nice bathtub or a shower.  Go out and buy new bath mats and towels too.  Put down some new paint and maybe get some new fixtures.  So, in short,  if you don't like your bathroom, then change it up.  Call in a professional service for bathroom remodeling.

Lone Star Tile and Grout Cleaning
4019 Stahl Rd, Suite 202
San Antonio TX 78217
(210) 637-5050
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