How to Restore Discolored Terracotta Tiles – Orange County

Terracotta tiles are very popular due to their hard wearing features and the fact that they are easy to clean and maintain. However, in time terracotta tiles may become slightly discolored, especially if inadequate cleaning products are used on them, or due to the fact that they have been in use for several years. Discoloring may also be caused by inappropriate sealer and if the terracotta was not properly treated prior to being laid down and fixed on the floor. These are some instructions that can help you restore discolored terracotta tiles and bring back some of their original glory in Orange County.

Step 1 – Examine the Terracotta Tiles

First of all, it is important to examine well the terracotta tiles in question. You also need to be aware whether any type of treatment was done on them in previous years, and if so, try to ascertain what type of treatment was used. It is also important to examine the type of sealer that was used. The finishing and any polish or sealer all contribute to discoloring; hence they need to be removed in order to take care of the discoloring effect.

Step 2 – Remove Old Finishes

If some type of finishing has been applied on the terracotta tiles, then the first step is to remove that finishing. Depending on the type of finish, you must choose the most suitable type of solvent with which to remove it. Apply the solvent on the tiles and scrub thoroughly with a scrubber. Make sure you mix it with water according to the instructions on the packaging so as to attain the best consistency and the best balance of chemicals. Usually a solution of concentrated phosphoric acid is recommended. Choose a scrubber that is strong enough to remove the polish, but not too hard to cause abrasions or other damage to the terracotta tiles.

Step 3 – Vacuum

Use a vacuum to pick up all the dust particles and other residuals that are left behind from the scrubbing process. The vacuum can also dry your floor slightly.

Step 4 – Dry the Floor

Use a clean, soft floor cloth to wipe the floor dry and clean.

Step 5 – Apply Sealing

At this point the terracotta tiles have been well cleaned and ideally attained their actual natural finishing. You can now apply the sealing on the grooves of the tiles. Make sure you select an adequate type of sealer, both with regards to color and quality. Usually water based sealants are recommended. Sealer can be matched to the color of the tiles so as to make your flooring look more appealing. You may need to apply more than one coating in order to attain good results.

Step 6 – Apply Polishing

Finally, you may opt to leave the tiles in their natural color or else apply some polishing. Polishing may obviously help enhance the shades of the terracotta tiles while also protecting the tiles a little. Make sure to choose high quality polishing.

Try to follow these basic guidelines in order to restore your terracotta tiles to a more appealing look, prolonging their life. Call Pacific Carpet & Tile Cleaning in Orange County CA

 

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After restoring saltillo tile, homeowner floored by the nice result – Orange County CA

After restoring saltillo tile, homeowner floored by the nice result – Orange County CA

For ten long years, Matt H. of Orange County CA., hated the way his kitchen’s saltillo tile floor looked. The wide grout lines that were supposed to be white had turned into shades of gray, brown and yellow.

“Having a dirty-looking floor in the kitchen just makes you think, ‘ew’ at some subconscious level, even when you know that it has been swept and mopped recently,” Matt says.

With that in mind, Matt had always thought he’d refresh the kitchen by tearing out the old floor and replacing it with new tile and grout.

His plans changed, though, when he had to move a piece of furniture in the kitchen and realized the tile floor underneath looked amazing. It just so happened that right around that time, he received an email from Angie’s List announcing a special on professional floor cleaning. Matt went for it.

As far as he was concerned, it was “worth taking a chance to see what could be done with the old floor.”

Matt hired the contractor, and within an hour after the service provider showed up, the floor looked brand new.

“I was totally floored with the results,” he says, adding, “pardon the pun.”

He was so pleased with the outcome, he says he wishes he would have found the service years ago.

“We consistently get comments on how nice the floor looks when people come for a visit who haven’t seen it since it had been it’s former dingy, dirty self,” he said.

 

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How to keep a tile floor clean – Orange County CA

How to keep a tile floor clean – Orange County CA

Many homes feature tile floors because tile is attractive and more durable than other flooring options. In order to maintain the appearance of tile flooring, it’s important to keep it clean. Try these cleaning tips to keep your tile looking like new.

Keep dirt off your tile floor

Your tile’s first line of defense against dirt is a doormat. According to the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA), dirt that is tracked across tile flooring will wear away the finished surface. By keeping doormats or area rugs inside every door of your house, you can prevent excessive dirt from coming into contact with your tile floor.

Clean regularly

Doormats won’t keep all the dirt out, so regular maintenance is the next step in keeping tile floors clean. Sweep or vacuum up debris at least once a week and use a damp paper towel or sponge to wipe up any wet or sticky messes. Cleaning regularly can help to prevent serious dirt buildup and hard-to-remove stains, which are much more difficult and time consuming than day-to-day maintenance tasks.

Deep clean tough spots

In order to deep clean tile floors, you’ll need a dirt dissolving solution. Various types of grout and tile cleaners can be found at your local home improvement store. Some are specially formulated for ceramic tile, while others are made for use on natural stone tile. Make sure that the product you use doesn’t contain ammonia or anything acidic, such as lemon juice or vinegar because those ingredients can dull the surface of your floors.

Many tile cleaners can be sprayed right onto the floor and mopped up immediately, which is generally enough to remove surface dirt. However, ground-in dirt may require a little more elbow grease. If you have textured tile, you may need to use a soft-bristle brush or scrubber sponge. Avoid highly abrasive tools such as steel wool or scrubbing powders, which can permanently scratch the surface of your tile. Once your tile floor is free of dirt, rinse away any residue with clean, warm water.

If you don’t have time to give your tile floors a thorough cleaning yourself, check for local consumer reviews on floor cleaning experts. For more information, please visit the Guide to Floor Cleaning.

 

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Tips to keep your grout fresh and clean – Orange County CA

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Grout. The word alone can bring fear and worry to a homeowner’s mind. What is the best way to clean grout without wearing it away? Does it need to be sealed? If the grout has turned from white to a yellowish color, then a good cleaning is needed. But if the grout is turning black, missing in large areas or the tile is loose, there is a different problem than just dirt.

The solution for cleaning grout is easy, but it requires elbow grease. Never use any abrasives, as they will wear the grout away. The tools needed are: a scrub pad, hot water, Grease Lightning, gloves and safety razors.

Use the safety razor flat against the tile and remove any layers of soap. This is usually found below the soap dish and the bottom three to four layers of tile. Fill a bucket with the hottest water you can stand. Spray a wall with Grease Lightning, put on the gloves and scrub away. Pay special attention to the grout lines and scrub the vertical and horizontal lines.

Once one wall is completed, rinse with hot water and clean the next wall. This should return the grout close to its original color. If there is any missing grout, fill the holes with new grout that is as close as possible to the color of the existing grout. Finally, seal the grout with a sealer found at any hardware store.

Turn a flashlight on and hold it flat against the wall so that the grout lines are clearly illuminated. The tile edges form the vertical and horizontal lines where the grout should be. At the top of the shower wall, you can usually see how the grout completely fills the space between the tiles.

Now bring the flashlight halfway down the wall and see if the grout still fills the gap. Take the flashlight all the way to the bottom of the wall and look at the grout lines. Are they still filled? Do you see black from missing grout or even mold? Don’t be fooled by soap in the grout lines, which can scraped off by lightly scratching it with a knife.

Grout lines should only contain grout. If caulk has been used as a substitute, mold will grow in the grout lines. Caulk should only be used at the joints such as two walls or where the tub and wall meet. Sometimes people use caulk where grout has popped out. If the tile looks like it is popping out or is out of position, it is time to employ your knuckles. If you are wondering if the tile is loose, rap it with your knuckles at the bottom of the wall. This is where the tile usually comes loose. If you hear a rattle, then the tile has pulled away from the backer board, and there is a bigger problem than just missing grout.

If a lot of the grout is missing, a few more steps are needed to bring the grout back to life. A layer of grout must be removed and the walls regrouted. Follow the cleaning steps above, and then figure out the best way to remove that layer of grout. This will be dictated by the width between the tiles.

There are numerous hand tools that do an excellent job, but a preferred tool is the triangular shaped scraper sold in hardware stores. If you are confident with power tools, a rotary tool or vibratory tool does a fine job. It doesn’t really matter because most of the grout has already worn away, and you are just trying to scrape down to a clean layer. If the grout lines were caulked, then after scraping you will have to use a safety blade and maybe snap blade to remove the caulking.

You can now regrout, but a final word of warning – Do not use premixed grout. Use only the dry grout that is mixed with water for long life and quality work. Follow the manufacturer’s direction on mixing and applying the grout. Finally, be sure to seal the grout to help keep it clean.

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Marble Repair on Tile Floor – Orange County CA

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A polished and sealed marble, cultured marble or travertine surface  can still be vulnerable to etching and stains. Marble Repair may be needed from stains and etching from foreign substances like acids and chlorides that erode away the sealer protecting the natural stone if left unattended for long periods of time. the only marble repair known method to fix this type of damage is diamond sanding marble or resurfacing natural stone. These marble stains and marble etching can be prevented just by sealing your marble or travertine surface after it is cleaned and polished. However any natural stone surface can still not be completely resilient against preventing acid or oils spills from being absorbed by the stone.

It is very important to know that any polished and sealed natural stone surface like marble and travertine can still be vulnerable to etching and stains after it is sealed.A sealer does not give 100% protection 100% of the time. Given enough time foreign substances erode away the sealer. Unfortunately and contrary to popular belief a natural stone sealer does not give 100% protection 100% of the time. and create damage to the surface of the stone. A good marble impregnator or natural stone sealer is crucial to helping keep stains and etching from occurring.The best policy to avoid expensive repairs in your marble or travertine stone surface is to wipe out any spills immediately after they occur, do this by simply blotting the area where the spill happened with water, this helps you prevent spreading the spill even further.“Marble, travertine repair and restoration is a very detail-oriented & meticulous process, for good results to be achieved there needs to be a periodic maintenance of the natural stone floor or countertop surface. Having the experience, the skill and right human element  it is an art in itself, it means the difference between a fairly decent repair job and a work of art. We can make it look almost like new”Amongst the different types of repairs that we can fix with marble and travertine are the following: marble and travertine crack repair, marble and travertine lippage reduction or removal, travertine hole and spall repair, marble and travertine table repair, marble and travertine chip repair, etc. in Orange County CA

 

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Professional Mexican tile cleaning, Orange County CA

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We provide professional Mexican tile cleaning, Mexican tile            polishing & sealing services in the home or business.     Terracotta cleaning, sealing and polishing services in the    Orange County and surrounding cities.

Our Mexican tile cleaning & Mexican tile polishing services will varydepending on the condition & needs of your floor. Stripping Mexican tile orterracotta stripping is not always necessary and is very labor intensive if itis done properly. Having to strip is rare and scrubbing is usually what isneeded. Stripping Mexican tile or terracotta tiles, due to the intensivelabor, time & hazardous chemicals comes at a high cost to you. It is doneeach and every tile and grout line one by one by hand. Acid is used by manyother companies. This will change the color of the Mexican tile or terracotta and damage the surface of your floor.  Most of the time a professional cleaning of Mexican tile, sealing & polishingMexican tile is all that is necessary to give your floor a great appearance.Terracotta cleaning & terracotta polishing as well.If Mexican tile stripping is absolutely necessary, we will let you know.We clean Mexican tile, re-seal and polish Mexican tile or terracotta with aminimum of  ( 4 ) coats of a low shine or high shine wet look finish. Exteriortile a low shine polyurethane or a penetrating sealer is used due to slipperyconditions and can only be done in dry weather conditions. Whether youhave Mexican saltillo tile, Spanish terracotta or Italian terracotta tile, we willprovide the cleaning & polishing service that is right for you.

Free Estimates & reliable service.

The services we provide are:- Saltillo Mexican tile cleaning .- Saltillo Mexican tile polishing.- Sealing Mexican tile.- Sealing terracotta tile floors.- Terracotta cleaning.- Terracotta tile polishing.- Mexican tile refinishing.- Interior & exterior service.- Residential & commercial service.* NO hidden charges!!!

 

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How to keep the ceramic tile grout in your shower looking new, Orange County CA

How to keep the ceramic tile grout in your shower looking new, Orange County CA

As a ceramic tile installer, I’m often been asked about the best way to maintain a shower to avoid costly repairs in the future.

First, a quick fact about the grout used when your tile was installed. Grout is made with a water repellency built in, which is meant to provide years of use when being maintained. In a perfect world, your grout should look shiny and bright forever.

However, that’s not the case in most of the homes I visit. In most houses, even with the best use of cleaning practices, yellowing and mildewing still persist. But why?

Lets look at the facts about grout.

In a home with three people showering once a day, 365 days a year, the shower is used 1,095 times in one year. Over time, that’s an awful lot of showers. Also, consider the fact that unlike your car that stays outdoors, your shower doesn’t get sunny days in between to dry off.

This heavy abuse really creates a need to maintain your grout to keep it clean, sealed and looking pretty. Unfortunately, the products sold on the market today to clean grout have harsh chemicals that deliver a quick fix to the eye, but eventually wear down your grout’s repellency over time, causing grout to turn into a water absorbing, chalk like consistency.

The result of this is mildewing and discoloring. Grout that absorbs water grows mildew and permanently stains, and the only fix at this point is a total re-grout – a somewhat expensive option.

Sometimes its not just mildew we’re seeing. Another culprit of stained grout is our local water supply. Rust in the your water could be a major contributor of staining. Whole house water filters should be considered if your house’s water supply is especially rust filled.

So how do you keep your showers looking nice?

1. Consider changing your shampoo. 

When you read the ingredients list on the back of your shampoo bottle, do you see dyes and colorings in the product? If so, I recommend that you choose a new shampoo that is more natural without colorings in them.

You will be doing your shower a favor, and more importantly, your body. Dyes are not good for you or your family’s health and can also stain the grout in your bathroom.

2. Stay away from harsh cleaning chemicals. 

Harsh cleaners may make your grout look cleaner, but they also strip away the water repellency that we talked about earlier. Bleach is especially bad about this.

A mixture of approximately one-third white vinegar to two-thirds water is what I recommend to my customers to clean their grout. Use a soft scrub brush with a little elbow grease.

3. Seal the grout. 

Most home stores have sealing products readily available. They add water repellency back into the grout that’s lost over time. Grout that is sealed will be more stain resistant. I recommend sealing at least once or twice a year depending on how many people use the shower on a daily basis.

4. Invest in a squeegee. 

Preferably, you’ll want to find a squeegee with a suction cup that will mount in your shower, making it handier when you need it. Using it after each shower will allow less water to dry on your grout, tile and shower doors, thereby leaving less mineral deposits behind.

In closing, I recommend a yearly visit by your tile man to keep your shower looking new. I know most people will scoff at this recommendation because of the expense, but it will be negligible compared to the cost of having to rip out your shower and install a new one when it goes bad.

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How to clean a soiled mattress – Orange County CA

How to clean a soiled mattress – Orange County CA

Date Published: Feb 13 2012

As anyone who has tackled household cleaning duties knows, messes and spills aren’t limited to hard surfaces and carpeting. Some surfaces can be particularly harder to clean than others, including mattresses.

Though cleaning a mattress doesn’t come with the same simplicity of other bedding items, that doesn’t mean the mattress shouldn’t deserve equal attention. Cleaning your mattress can be effective and efficient with the right approach. Follow these steps so that you and your family can sleep on fresher bedding by nightfall.

Vacuum: When cleaning your mattress, use the upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner to tackle dust, dander and dust mites that can build on the surface. Repeat this process every six months, or more frequently if the mattress is used by a person with allergies.

Shampoo: After vacuuming, apply an upholstery shampoo to the surface of the mattress to fully remove dirt and soil. If you don’t have upholstery shampoo, apply a solution of water and mild detergent to the entire area of the mattress. Wipe the shampoo or detergent solution clean by using a sponge that has had warm water wrung from it. Turn on the ceiling fan and portable fans to allow the area to dry quickly.

Cleaning spills: When cleaning spills and stains from your mattress, start by soaking up all liquid using dry towels. Once the stain has been completely soaked up, immediately toss the towels into the washing machine on a hot water setting to kill all bacteria. After doing so, lightly spray vinegar on the stain and let it sit for 10 minutes to fully disinfect the mattress and eliminate odor. Afterward, sprinkle baking soda over the stain and let it sit for 12 hours to soak up the rest. After the 12-hour period, vacuum the remaining baking soda.

Drying stains:  Place the mattress outside in the sun for a few hours to speed up the drying process and allow the mattress to fully air out, or pull back the blinds or drapes in the bedroom and open the window to expose the mattress to the maximum amount of sunlight and outside heat. When you replace the mattress, make sure to place the stain side down to prevent concentrating multiple stains onto one region.

In addition to cleaning your mattress, you can prolong its life by flipping and turning it every six months to ensure even wear. Use a mattress cover to ensure protection in between cleanings. To prevent dust mites, choose a mattress cover that is specifically designed to protect against the invasion of these tiny critters.

It’s also important to replace your mattress after about seven years of use, according to The Better Sleep Council, a nonprofit agency that represents the mattress industry. With repeated use over time, a mattress can gradually lose its ability to fully support you. This can lead to sleepless nights as well as the feeling of cramps and stiffness upon awakening.

Though cleaning a soiled mattress is a household task you can tackle yourself, a Orange County house cleaner might be able to offer some expert solutions to ensure your mattress is cleaned properly the first time.

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Steam cleaning carpets: Selecting a company – Orange County CA

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Steam cleaning carpets is an effective way to remove stains and make your carpets look brand new. Generally, it is recommended that you only use a wet steam clean utilizing a cleaning solution and water once or twice annually. A dry steam clean, however, is an option that you may use to remove stains monthly. Your desired type of carpet cleaning will dictate who you hire, but there also are other factors to consider.

Professional carpet cleaning companies can help you remove tough ground-in dirt and rid your home of pet hair and dander that are known allergens. Choosing the right cleaning company is an important decision to make and with the following tips, you can make a better, more informed decision.

1. Ask if they service your area

This may seem like a no-brainer, but it should be the first question you ask. Sometimes cleaners who are not in your area may not want to travel to your location, or may charge you an extra fee for travel.  One way to start is to  look for carpet cleaners who have received the best ratings from past customers.

2. Ask for references

You wouldn’t expect a prospective employer to hire you without references, so do not hesitate to ask the professionals you are hiring for references. Don’t forget to ask your friends or family about their experience with carpet cleaning companies, as they are more likely to give you an honest, unbiased opinion.

3. What certifications and education do they have?

Certain governing boards give credentials to companies that meet a specific criteria. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) is one of the most, if not the most, recognized certification in the field of upholstery and carpet cleaners. Check on the cleaner designation that the company receives. A master cleaning designation is the highest ranking for cleaning services.

4. What services do they offer?

You must make sure they offer the service that you need. Getting an in-depth answer about the type of services they offer is crucial. Not to mention, if you want to hire them for other home-related jobs, you should know what else they provide.

5. What cleaning products and equipment do they use?

Different products and equipment provide for a different type of cleaning. You should question how much moisture the cleaning system leaves behind, and be sure to ask what the chemicals are made of, particularly if you’re worried about being ecofriendly or have pets or small children.

6. What experience do they have?

Is the carpet cleaning service a new company, or is it a well established company with a long history. Inquire about the types of fabrics and upholstery that they have worked with; this is especially important if you have rare or delicate upholstery. When steam cleaning carpets of different types, it is easy to make a costly error.

7. Is their work guaranteed?

Not all companies stand behind their work, but try to find one that offers a customer satisfaction guarantee.

8. Ask about their prices

You get what you pay for, so don’t just choose the company that gives you the lowest rate. You want to select the carpet cleaning service that provides you with the most bang for your buck, or at least the most worthwhile service for the price.

 

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4 essential carpet cleaning elements in Orange County CA

4 essential carpet cleaning elements in Orange County CA

The objective of any good carpet cleaning method is to remove as much soil or foreign material as possible from the carpet fibers without causing any damage or harm to the carpet, humans, pets or the environment.

Deep steam or hot water cleaning with a truck mounted extraction system is a great method to accomplish this task. Below are four essential elements of this procedure that should always be considered

.1. Chemical type and concentration 

The wet cleaning process involves a reaction between chemicals. The more heavily soiled the carpet is, the more concentrated the chemical reagent will have to be in order to complete this reaction in a reasonable amount of time. That is one reason why even deionized water with zero conductivity will never be sufficient to remove really tough stains.Many kinds of chemical reagents have been developed that have specific applications for particular cleaning situations. A good carpet cleaner will know how to choose a suitable detergent for prevailing conditions.

2. Temperature 

This is probably the most important aspect of the cleaning procedure. Elevated temperatures usually accelerate chemical reactions. Carpets will require less chemicals and a shorter time to clean up when the cleaning solution is hot enough.

Some people fear that hot water will cause damage to the carpet. This is possible when the carpet cleaner is uneducated and uninformed, but even the most powerful truck-mounted heater equipment can be regulated to deliver a maximum of 150 degrees Fahrenheit at the carpet surface. That will be quite safe, even for wool textiles.Another advantage of using a hot solution is that the fabric will dry faster. Heat also helps to reduce the surface tension of the cleaning solution, thereby facilitating soil removal.

3. Time 

Chemical reactions require time for adequate completion. Of course the time required will vary according to the situation, but for most carpet cleaning conditions, a reaction time of 10 to 15 minutes will be sufficient.

One problem that may occur is a reversal of sequestration if the carpet dries before the emulsion is washed out. Again, a well-trained technician will be fully aware of this and will make the necessary adjustments.

4. Agitation 

The main purpose for agitation is to spread the chemical uniformly and completely over the carpet fibers. A secondary purpose is to dislodge any soil particles that may be adhering to the fabric. Agitation also helps to speed up the chemical reaction of the cleaning solution.Agitation may be accomplished by using various devices. On the carpet, this is usually done with a grooming rake, especially for high density, plush pile carpets. A bonnet machine with rotating brushes is also very effective. Agitation on fabrics during upholstery cleaning is usually done with a horsehair brush, a sponge or a terry cloth towel.

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