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 Questions and
Answers
How do I know if I need a
regrout?
Answer: If
the grout is discolored, worn away (thin lines) cracked, has mold or
mildew, or you can scratch the grout with your fingernail, chances
are you need a regrout.
How do I know if the tiles or wall behind the tiles
are in need of repair?
Answer: When
we come out for the estimate, we can check the tiles and walls with
a moisture indicator which can tell us where the problem areas
are. The fact that we have been doing only this type of work
for over 19 years, gives us quite a bit of experience in what to
look for in these situations.
How long should a regrout last?
Answer: Years if you follow
these instructions. a.) Never clean your grout with
products that have bleach in them b.) Wipe down the walls after
every shower (we recommend a synthetic chamois). Because we've
been in business over 19 years, there have been times we've been back to
past customers to do other work, and seen the 10, 12, 15 year old
jobs we have done and they are still in good
shape.
In doing repairs to the shower walls or tiles, do you
use new tiles?
Answer: No.
We always prefer to use the existing tiles. This way when
we're done with the repair it looks like it did when it was
originally installed and it's much more cost effective.
Can I install a
plastic wall system over my existing tile walls?
Could I reglaze over
the tile and grout in my shower?
Could I caulk over the grout lines in my
shower?
Answer: NO NO NO!
Never cover or go over the grout lines -
Grout is there for a reason. When taking a shower the back side
of tiles sweat, this is normal. Grout allows the moisture from the
walls to escape; which allows the wall to dry. Grout is there to make the
wall breathe and dry off before the next shower. If you cover it, or
block the grout off from doing its job you’ll start to see mold or
mildew forming on the grout. The wall behind the tiles will stay
wet longer and possibly damage the walls to the point where you’ll
have loose tiles or leaks.
I have mildew on some parts of my grout and caulk. How did it
get there and how can I get rid of it?
Answer: Tub and
showers are favorites for mold and mildew growth. These areas are
for the most part, damp, dark, and have poor air circulation. Just
the thing that mold and mildew need to grow. To eliminate the chance
of mold and mildew growth follow these simple directions:
- Wipe down the shower
walls every time you take a shower.
- Never use a cleaner
with bleach. It will make the grout more porous causing more
mildew growth. Furthermore, the mildew will be back in just a few weeks.
- If you have an
exhaust fan in the bathroom turn it on when showering.
- When cleaning the
shower we recommend Lysol Tub and Tile, Dow Scrubbing Bubbles, or
Kaboom bathroom cleaner.
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