Skip to main content
Get A Free Quote!
Call (832) 303-3546

Tag: tile and grout cleaning

5 Things To Do Before Moving Into A New Construction Home

Written by UpFront Home Services on . Posted in Carpet Cleaning, Tile and Grout Cleaning. No Comments on 5 Things To Do Before Moving Into A New Construction Home

Buying a new home is exciting. It’s like when you get a new car except with this car you get to live in it (in a good not sad way) and you get to show it off to your friends. I have personally been providing floor cleaning and polishing services to homes since 2003 (16 years and counting) and here are the not so Glamorous things to do before moving into your new home.

5 Things To Do Before Moving Into A New Construction Home

Grout Sealing Is A Must

A majority of builders do not include sealing your freshly installed Grout. This is for a variety of reasons that boil down to not wanting to be responsible or have any warranty calls regarding spills and stains. For the builder it makes total sense, for you the New Construction Home Owner it totally stinks.

It’s always best to Seal the Grout prior to moving in because its easier for the technicians to get to every inch. It also means you shouldn’t need to have a Professional Tile and Grout Cleaning prior to the sealing.

As far as the grade of Sealer is concerned I recommend using a Solvent Based Impregnating Grout Sealer for the Floors, Showers, Back splash, and basically any conceivable place there is Grout in the Home. I personally prefer this grade of sealer but it is for professional use only. I have seen many a DIY nightmare trying to Seal the Grout with the wrong Solvent Sealer. Using a water based grout sealer is an option as well. A water based grout sealer is great for Floor Grout but doesn’t provide the same coverage level in a shower that a Solvent will. I find cleaning and re-application with a water based grout sealant in the showers to be much more frequent than with a Solvent based sealer.

The Builder Usually Doesn’t Seal Your Granite or Marble Countertops… So You Should

Its a dirty secret that the builder avoids talking about or offering sealing of your Granite or Marble Countertops. Marble Counterops are especially susceptible to staining and etching, so providing a very thorough application of Impregnating Sealer is extremely important. I have seen many a Marble Counter that’s brand new and covered in etch marks. Bottomline is protect your investment by Sealing so that you don’t have to Polish to Restore.

Apply Carpet Stain Protector

Newly installed carpet has a form of Carpet Protection already in place fresh from the factory. The problem is that it’s not a very good one and it doesn’t protect from dyes. Having a carpet protector applied that contains acid dye blockers will help keep your carpet from getting permanent red stains.

It’s also important to apply Carpet Stain Protector because it will help fight against permanent traffic lane damage. Traffic lane damage is caused by inconsistent vacuuming and irregular cleanings. When your carpet is it’s newest is the time to take advantage and protect and consistently have it cleaned and re-protected after each cleaning.

Install A Water Softener

I highly recommend having a water softener installed in your new home prior to moving in. The reason why is because it will help keep your shower tile and grout, bathroom floors, and your shower glass from developing hard water stains. If you can’t afford a water softener right away, I recommend cleaning your shower once a week. If you keep up with consistently cleaning your shower tile and grout and shower glass, you will be amazed with how long it will look like new.

Start A Regular Maintenance Schedule

When you keep something clean from the beginning it keeps you from needing restoration services in the future. I recommend vacuuming the carpet at least 1 time per week, using a daily shower cleaner (method makes an awesome one) and deep cleaning once a week, utilizing a steam mop for the floors or a flat head mop with Zep Neutral Floor Cleaner weekly, wiping your granite or marble countertops down weekly with Crystal Clean by Stonepro, and of course steam cleaning the carpets at least 2 times per year.

Some of this maintenance schedule can be increased due to pets or kids, but the rule of thumb is to clean at a minimum of once per week. Consistent maintenance will keep your home looking as beautiful as it did the first day you moved in.

At UpFront Home Services we offer Grout Sealing, Granite Countertop Sealing, Marble Countertop Sealing, Carpet Stain Protector Application, Tile and Grout Cleaning, Carpet Cleaning, and so much more throughout the Entire Katy and Houston Area.

Need An Honest UpFront Quote? Give us a call at (832)303-3546 for a FREE Estimate and to check availability

UpFront Home Services

Call or Text (832)303-3546

www.UpFrontHomeServices.com

Why do we love Houston? The professional sports teams are just so good. Getting to catch a Rockets Game or go to minute maid and watch the Astros play is just awesome. As an Aggie there are just so many other Aggies here and that just makes you feel at home. Learn more about the City of Houston here

Grout Cleaning Service – How Long Does Grout Sealer Last?

Written by UpFront Home Services on . Posted in Tile and Grout Cleaning. No Comments on Grout Cleaning Service – How Long Does Grout Sealer Last?

I get asked this question a lot after providing a Grout Cleaning Service. How Long Does Grout Sealer Last? The honest answer is that it truly varies by how you maintain your floors, how often you cook, and how much foot traffic your floors will receive. Typically Grout Sealer will last anywhere from 1 – 3 Years in ideal conditions.

Here’s How To Make Your Sealant Last Longer

Using Proper Cleaning Techniques

Using a mop and bucket just doesn’t cut it, it actually will make your tile and grout dirtier over time and affect the sealers ability to block out the dirt. Utilizing a Flat Head mop with a container to spray the product and clean the floor will keep your sealer in tact longer. Just be sure to wash your Flat Head Mops pad after every use. Another good piece of equipment to utilize is a Steam Mop. The main thing with using a steam mop is using distilled water and washing the microfiber pads after each use.

The Right Cleaning Product

Using proper chemistry is important to maintaining your Tile and Grout over the long term. I highly recommend using a Neutral Floor Cleaner such as Zep Neutral Floor Cleaner or Stone Pro’s Crystal Clean when cleaning your floors. These types of products won’t leave a residue and will make your investment in a Grout Cleaning Service be a little more worthwhile. 

Consistent Maintenance

Consistently Maintaining your floors is crucial for making your sealant last longer. I recommend vacuuming, sweeping, and flat head mopping / steam mopping your floors at least once per week. By keeping the dirt off the floor you will have a much lower chance of creating a stain in your grout and destroying the Grout Sealer.

Why Choose UpFront Home Services For Your Grout Cleaning Service?

When you have UpFront Home Services clean your Tile and Grout we always include sealing of the Grout FREE! No other company does this! In fact most companies charge more to seal your grout after a Grout Cleaning Service. Not only do we include sealing of your grout, we also include both Alkaline and Acid rinses to properly clean your floors. Using both an alkaline and an acid guarantee that your floors are their absolute cleanest before we seal the grout. 

At UpFront Home Services we are Houston and Katy’s most inclusive Tile Cleaning Company! Check out our Tile and Grout Cleaning Service Here.

Need A Quote? Give us a call at (832)303-3546 for a FREE Estimate and to check availability

UpFront Home Services

Call or Text (832)303-3546

www.UpFrontHomeServices.com

Why do we love Katy? It’s the people. Katy, TX is full of phenomenal people. Everyone here is friendly and inviting and the food is fantastic. With it being so close to Texas A&M we also get to service a lot of our fellow Aggies. We service the entire Houston area. Want to learn more about the City of Katy Click Here

Tile Cleaning Company – Should I Seal My Grout After Cleaning?

Written by UpFront Home Services on . Posted in Tile and Grout Cleaning. No Comments on Tile Cleaning Company – Should I Seal My Grout After Cleaning?

Should I Seal my grout after having my tile and grout professionally cleaned? The answer is a resounding yes. When having a Tile Cleaning Company out it is always important to Seal your Grout After they clean. 

Here Is Why You Should Have Your Grout Sealed After Cleaning

 

Your Grout Is Most Vulnerable After Cleaning

After having your Tile and Grout professionally cleaned your grout is in its most vulnerable state. The reason why is because you have cleared away the dirt and a very thin layer of grout with the pressure and steam. Putting in the Sealant after the cleaning will help to protect your freshly cleaned grout from stains and dirt from penetrating your grouts pores.

Sealing Will Protect Your Investment

Floors are expensive, protecting your investment by applying Sealant just makes sense. Is Sealant going to keep your floors from getting dirty? No. But Sealing your grout will help keep your floors looking cleaner longer.

After Tile and Grout Cleaning Care

Every Tile Cleaning Company should leave some form of instructions for after the cleaning care. We always recommend switching over to a Neutral Floor Cleaner such as Zep Neutral Floor Cleaner or Crystal Clean by Stone Pro. Another great solution is using a Steam Mop with Distilled Water. It’s important to use distilled water when using a steam mop because regular tap water will cause an issue with your machine and will leave scale build up in your grout.

Why Choose UpFront Home Services To Clean Your Tile and Grout?

When you have us clean your Tile and Grout we include sealing of the Grout FREE! What could be easier than having us out vs having another company that clean for you that charges more to seal your grout. Not only do we include sealing of your grout we include both Alkaline and Acid rinsing for your floor as well. Using both an alkaline and an acid guarantee that your floors are their absolute cleanest before we seal the grout. 

At UpFront Home Services we are Houston and Katy’s most inclusive Tile Cleaning Company! Check out our Tile and Grout Cleaning Service Here.

Need A Quote? Give us a call at (832)303-3546 for a FREE Estimate and to check availability

UpFront Home Services

Call or Text (832)303-3546

www.UpFrontHomeServices.com

Why do we love Katy? It’s all of the entertainment and great restaurants. It’s easy to drive places and you have Katy Mills Mall to enjoy a little shopping and get great prices. With it being so close to Texas A&M we also get to service a lot of our fellow Aggies. We service the entire Houston area. Want to learn more about the City of Katy Click Here

Shower Tile and Grout Cleaning Service : What You Need To Know To Get Professional Job

Written by UpFront Home Services on . Posted in Tile and Grout Cleaning. No Comments on Shower Tile and Grout Cleaning Service : What You Need To Know To Get Professional Job

Have you thought about having a Shower Tile and Grout Cleaning Service come out to get your shower looking it’s best again? Some cleaning services have started to offer Shower Cleaning but once most are done your shower still looks almost like it did when they started. What gives? Well, the reason why is most cleaning services are not a full restoration service for your shower. 

Here’s What You Need To Know To Have Your Shower Tile and Grout Cleaned and Restored

 

Make Sure They Include Steam Cleaning and Caulking

Lots of handymen offer Caulking as a service but that’s simply not enough. Having the shower professionally steam cleaned before having the shower caulked will help prevent mildewing from reoccurring. Always make sure that steam cleaning is included with any caulking services.

Latex, Silicone, Sanded, What Caulk is Best?

For Shower Caulking I always recommend using pure Silicone as it is the most mildew resistant. Latex caulk however has no place in a shower and will fail quickly. If Aesthetics is your main concern Sanded Caulk can be really nice. Sanded caulk also has a built in antimicrobial which will help keep your showers caulk clean long term. Really when it comes to deciding what caulk to put in your shower, the main focus is what will look the very best. 

Utilizing Proper Chemistry

Shower Tile and Grout Cleaning can be really tricky. Some showers have man made tiles and others have natural stone tiles. Man made tiles like ceramic or porcelain can handle more aggressive treatments like acid to relieve soap scum, where as natural stone can not have acid used. Making sure to utilize proper chemistry will keep the shower from becoming damaged during the cleaning. Always make sure that the shower tile and grout cleaning service professional knows how to identify the type of tile you have and that they have the knowledge and experience to properly clean and caulk your shower. 

 

At UpFront Home Services we provide more value for our Shower Tile and Grout Cleaning Service and an amazing service experience! Check out our Tile and Grout Cleaning Service Process Here

Give us a call at (832)303-3546 for a FREE Estimate.

UpFront Home Services

Call or Text (832)303-3546

www.UpFrontHomeServices.com

Why do we love Katy? It’s all of the entertainment and great restaurants. The Katy / Fort Bend Foodies group on Facebook is awesome for finding new places to eat. Katy is also easy to drive places and you have Katy Mills Mall to enjoy a little shopping and get great prices. With it being so close to Texas A&M we also get to service a lot of our fellow Aggies. We service the entire Houston area. Want to learn more about the City of Katy Click Here

Tile and Grout Cleaning Katy TX Tile and Grout Cleaning Katy TX

Tile and Grout Cleaning Service – The Difference Between Hiring a Franchise and a Grout Cleaning Specialist

Written by UpFront Home Services on . Posted in Tile and Grout Cleaning. No Comments on Tile and Grout Cleaning Service – The Difference Between Hiring a Franchise and a Grout Cleaning Specialist

The Difference Between Hiring a Franchise and a Grout Cleaning Specialist

So you opened your mail box and got a flyer or valpak in the mail that advertises Tile and Grout Cleaning service. Almost always its a local franchise advertising a price for Tile and Grout Cleaning Service at “special price”. What they aren’t saying in their ad is what they are and aren’t including in their pricing.

Tile and Grout Cleaning Service Steps and Chemistry

Typically what I see more often than not is the advertising of a 2 step process. What’s included in these 2 steps is 1) Alkaline Pre-Treatment and 2) Steam Cleaning. That’s all fine if you’re grout doesn’t need restoration. Unfortunately a majority of grout stains require extra treatment with an Acid to remove them. The local franchises simply don’t include using Acid in their Tile and Grout Cleaning Service pricing and will charge double to use Acid on your floors. Some Franchise technicians can’t even recognize what is a natural stone floor and a man made surface. Believe me when I say that being able to determine what is safe to use certain chemistry on is exceptionally important as to not ruin the floors you are having cleaned.

Property Protection

An important aspect to any Tile and Grout Cleaning service is Property Protection. A Grout Cleaning specialist will use moving blankets, corner guards, runner rugs, and other forms of protectors for your home. It’s really easy to get cleaning chemicals onto wood. Poor quality cleaners can leave a haze or scratch corners with hoses. In fact, most franchise operations don’t provide their technicians with property protectors because it slows down their technicians. Hiring a service that cares not only about your floors, but your home as well is important so that you have a good experience vs a nightmare cleaning.

Grout Sealing

The local franchises charge extra for Grout Sealing. This add on is especially important when you factor in the long term health of your Tile and Grout. If you start to factor in the cost to have your Tile and Grout Cleaning performed by a franchise vs a specialist the cost just keeps going up and up. This reminds me of when you go to get an oil change and they constantly make recommendations that cost you more and more every time you turnaround. When you see a company advertising $.45 or $.65 cents per sqft take that charge and multiply it by 3 ($1.35 – $1.95) and you will get the true cost to hire them to clean your floors.

The UpFront Difference

Our Pricing for Tile and Grout Cleaning is the most inclusive Grout Cleaning experience in Houston. We offer a 9 Step Cleaning Process vs the Franchise 2 Step approach. Our service also includes Grout Sealing at no extra charge. We use Property Protectors to ensure that your cleaning experience with us goes smoothly and we leave your home in better shape than what we found it. So don’t be fooled by low price coupon mailers, give us a call to come out and quote your cleaning based on the job not just the square foot.

At UpFront Home Services we provide more value for our Tile and Grout Cleaning Service and an amazing experience! Check out our Tile and Grout Cleaning Process Here

Give us a call at (832)303-3546 for a FREE Estimate.

UpFront Home Services

Call or Text (832)303-3546

www.UpFrontHomeServices.com

Why do we love Katy? Personally I love having a date night at Peli Peli and then going to Main Event. Going shopping at Katy Mills Mall or enjoying all of the Dinning at LaCenterra is an added bonus to the Katy Area. We service the entire Houston area. Want to learn more about the City of Katy Click Here

Grout Cleaning Service- 3 Things To Look For When Hiring A Grout Cleaning Service

Written by UpFront Home Services on . Posted in Tile and Grout Cleaning. No Comments on Grout Cleaning Service- 3 Things To Look For When Hiring A Grout Cleaning Service

Grout Cleaning ServiceSo, it’s time to have your Tile and Grout Cleaned. You’ve probably thought about getting on your hands and knees and scrubbing with whatever cleaning product they are recommending in DYI videos or blogs. Then it hits you, it’s simply not easy to clean your floors. That’s when you know it’s time to hire a Grout Cleaning Service. But what should you be looking for when you start the process to hire a Grout Cleaning Service?

Here Are 3 Things To Look For When Hiring  A Grout Cleaning Service

What’s Included In The Price

1 – It’s easy to get caught up in the low cost per sqft price that you see advertised in a coupon mailer, but what does it really include? Always make sure that both an Alkaline Rinse and an Acid Rinse are included in your Grout Cleaning Service. The reason behind this is two fold, 1) the Acid will neutralize any alkalinity left behind after the cleaning. This is important to ensure that your Tile and Grout will be pH neutral and not allow dirts to easily stick to it. 2) Multiple Cleaning passes ensure that your Grout Cleaning is as thorough as it possibly can be so that you are Sealing in dirt. Always be sure to Seal your Tile and Grout after cleaning, be sure the service professional includes sealing of the Grout in their pricing.

Make Sure It Is Truck Mount Steam Cleaning

2 – There are a lot of Tile and Grout Cleaning companies out there and quite a few of them are not running Truck Mounted equipment. Some companies are using Floor Buffers or Portable equipment to perform a Grout Cleaning Service. Floor Buffers and Portables just don’t provide the necessary Pressure, Heat, and Extraction needed to perform a thorough cleaning. Now this is not to say that everyone with a Truck Mount has the same equipment. A serious Grout Cleaning Service invests in high quality Truck Mounted equipment with some units costing upwards of $60,000 and that doesn’t take into account all the accessories and chemicals needed to clean your tile and grout.

It’s About Who Is Performing The Cleaning

Grout Cleaning Service3 – The most important factor is the service technician actually performing the work. Does the company properly train their technicians and what is their experience level? Does the company guarantee their work? These are all important factors to consider when hiring a Grout Cleaning Service. Getting the best technician can be more important than selecting the company but also make sure the company has a rock solid guarantee to back up their service.

At UpFront Home Services we provide more value for our Grout Cleaning Service and an amazing service experience! Check out our Tile and Grout Cleaning Service Process Here

Give us a call at (832)303-3546 for a FREE Estimate.

UpFront Home Services

Call or Text (832)303-3546

www.UpFrontHomeServices.com

Getting great service in Houston can be hard… but  We love the city of Houston! The city has some of the best night life and restaurants in the entire country. We service the entire Houston area. Want to learn more about the City of Houston Click Here

4 Sure Signs Its Time For Tile and Grout Cleaning

Written by UpFront Home Services on . Posted in Tile and Grout Cleaning. No Comments on 4 Sure Signs Its Time For Tile and Grout Cleaning

Your Tile and Grout floors can be an easy textile to forget when checking off your cleaning list. Sometimes we may think our tile and grout floors are clean when they are actually just evenly dirty.

Here are 4 Sure Signs That It’s Time For Tile and Grout Cleaning

Sign #1 – The Grout under your cabinet trim, rugs, baseboards, and sections that aren’t trafficked frequently are a different shade than the rest of your floors. This is one of the easiest ways to tell if you need Tile and Grout Cleaning.

Sign #2 – Your Tile has become dull. Dullness in your Tile can be due to a build up of dirt and residue or if you have a natural stone this could be due to scratches as well. Tile Cleaning when residues are apparent will show a major improvement and bring back the luster your floors once had. For natural stone our unique diamond polishing system will remove the scratches and make your floors beautiful again.

Sign #3 – Your Grout has become discolored in specific sections due to spills or hard water stains. Grout Cleaning can help remove discoloration from spills and hard water. Sometimes stains in your Grout can become permanent, so it is important to complete grout cleaning and grout sealing often to avoid stains.

Sign #4 – Your constantly cleaning but your Tile and Grout just continues to get dirtier. If this is the case it is time to re-evaluate what you are using to clean your Tile and Grout. A steam mop with distilled water or a neutral floor cleaner are the best solutions to maintain your Tile and Grout. However, once your floor gets to this state professional Tile and Grout Cleaning is especially necessary to restore your floors and your grout.

Maintaining your Tile and Grout with our Professional Tile and Grout Cleaning service is easy. We will come out and provide a free inspection and in home estimate for your Tile and Grout Cleaning service. Our team of seasoned professionals have the knowledge, skills, and experience to get your floors looking their very best.

No more hands and knees scrubbing! See Our 9 Step Tile and Grout Cleaning Process Here

Give us a call at (832)303-3546 to schedule a FREE In Home Estimate for your Tile and Grout Cleaning.

UpFront Home Services

Call or Text (832)303-3546

www.UpFrontHomeServices.com