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Q. What type of grout do I need, sanded or unsanded?
A. That depends on what tile you are grouting. Generally speaking most of the time you would use sanded grout. Its stronger and more durable than unsanded grout. Unsanded grout is normally used for tiles that are butted together, like travertine, or soft bisque tile.
Q. What type of tile should I use for my project?
A. Basically the rule of thumb is to make sure you have a high vitreous (or hard tile) for the floors. It should hold up to the "day to day grind" , typically this would be a grade 4 or higher. With wall tile it really doesn't matter.
Q. What is the best way to clean my tile?
A. Vinegar and water. One part to three parts water. This is for floors and walls. Also I would like to note that mopping the floors can actually make your floors dirtier. When you push that mop forward you pick up the dirt, then when you pull back your leaving the dirt that you just mopped up behind. The best way to do it is to use a large sponge and wipe in one direction and then flip the sponge over and wipe with the other side, then rinse. Once the water in the bucket is dirty, you need to change it, don't keep using it. You'd be just putting the dirt back on the floor. If this sounds like to much work for you, especially if its a large floor, then just spot clean with a spray bottle of vinegar and water. This is usually all you need to do to keep up with the daily (or weekly if you prefer) cleaning. Then once every six months you could use a hard floor cleaner that puts the water down and sucks it back up or hire a carpet cleaner once a year to clean your tile. Don't let them sell you on the sealer for grout, its basically like that scotch guard they put on the carpet, it doesn't last. Please read post "should I seal my grout"
Q. How do I keep my shower looking new?
A. Showers are best kept clean by wiping them down with a towel after showering. Using a squeegee is not sufficient because it leaves the soap scum in the grout joints, leading to mildew. Remember water and dirt cause the mildew not the grout. Wiping it down after every shower will keep it clean. Normally this wouldn't take much more than 30 seconds to do. I haven't washed mine in over a year ( maybe longer??) and it still looks great. When you do clean the shower, use vinegar, or use a mild detergent. You shouldn't use bleach, it will discolor the grout and even remove the protective glaze on the tile. If you must use it do so sparingly. If it really looks bad you can use sulfamic acid. Please read post "should I seal my grout"
Q. I'm not sure what type of layout/design I should use for my new shower, how can I choose?
A. If you cant make up your mind on what color of tile or layout, try looking in magazine's or visiting your local tile distributor or even the home improvement stores. They all have tile laid out in different patterns with contrasting colors along with the recommended grout color. The sales reps at the tile distributor can also help you with a decision. They have an extensive portfolio of pictures and layouts and have a good grasp on today's trends. If you still cant make up your mind try a decorator or if you live in the Tampa Bay area, call me. I would be glad to guide you.
A. Ah the old adage " tile makes you smile, grout makes you pout". There's not a definitive answer to sealing grout. Myself, I prefer not sealing. Most grouts these days are poly modified, which helps in keeping stains from penetrating. As long as you wipe up a spill quickly before it soaks in, the grout will be unscathed. On the other hand if you use sealer on the grout this can also help in preventing stains, but the life span is usually short. Nominally a year. Less if you mop your floor regularly. Keep in mind this is about staining not how dirty the grout gets. The grout will get dirty no matter what you do or do not. Some sealers will also change the color of grout (usually darker) which my not appeal to you. Another thing is you do not put sealer on most tile. The sealer will not penetrate and just sit on top, leaving a sticky residue behind. Which can be a daunting task to clean up. Only certain tile, like natural stone, i.e. travertine should be sealed. Which is necessary because the stone is prone to staining. Also you shouldn't seal the grout in showers. The grout needs to "breathe". Sealing it traps the moister trying to evaporate from behind. To understand this is to look at a cold glass of water on a hot day. The condensation you see on the outside of the glass is the same thing that's happening behind your walls when you take a hot shower. The air behind the wall is normally cooler which then condenses on the wall. Most of it will trickle down to the shower pan, but some will soak into the wall and into the grout. Insulation behind the wall hinders the evaporation process also. So if you seal the grout' you in essence create a vapor lock. Locking in that moister, creating mildew, of which you were trying to avoid to begin with. Simple maintenance would prevent that mildew from growing. See "How do I keep my shower looking new"
If something does accidentally stain the grout it can usually be removed by using sulfamic acid. That's Sulfamic not Sulfuric. This is a very weak acid, a little stronger than vinegar and its safe to use on all tile. It normally comes in a crystal form, looking a lot like sugar. It comes this way because once you add it to water the strength starts diminishing after 24 hrs. You can make a bottle of solution by adding a tablespoon to a quart size spray bottle. Fill bottle with cold water and shake to dissolve the crystals. Spray the area your working on. If you need to, you can lightly scrub with a hand scrub brush, (to break up the dirt). Then mop up with clean water using a large hand sponge. Wiping with one side of sponge and flipping over and wipe with other side. (See “What is the best way to clean my tile”) Do not wipe back and forth. This will just put what you wiped up, back on the floor. Change the water in bucket once dirty.