Home Forums Heavens Best Forum Tile & Grout Tough tile & grout job, new tool

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  • #143861
    GA18
    Participant

    I had a really challenging job yesterday. I had given a demo to the client the night before to win the job. Mixed up some hard surface cleaner in the van, brought in my blue bristle hand scrub brush and a towel. Put the mixture on the tile, left it there for about five minutes, scrubbed and wiped and WOW, tile looked brand new. What I did not pay attention to is that the tile had very, very, very small holes in it that had collected dirt over the years, especially in high traffic areas. When I went to do the job next day, I could not replicate the results of the demo. We kept taking the solution to higher levels and I called John too. We had the hard surface cleaner at 30 ounces to a gallon of H2O, even put down some FAE. No luck. I was about to call it a loss when the client brought in a “deck brush”. You boaters know what this is. Once we went to work with this brush, scrubbing the tiles and grout, along with the stronger solution, we got the results we were after. It boiled down to the fact that the buffer and hard surface brush could not get into the tiny holes to clean them. Job took about an hour longer, but husband and wife were thrilled. Needless to say, I am off to a boat store today to purchase a couple of deck brushes.

    #150658
    FL18
    Participant

    great for you dooley! When you say holes; do you mean that the tile is very pouros. If not cleaning for however many years, I can see how that would be a tough one. Glad it turned out great. Have a good weekend. Go Longhorns! 😀

    Mike

    #150659
    pacheco
    Participant

    We see the holes you speak of on a pretty regular basis. We use the HS cleaner, nylon brush on the Nobles and then extract the matrix with the squeegee/wand attachment…very, very infrequently do the black spots in the holes remain.

    We use the Oreck with the brush attachment as well for baths, tight areas and under cabinets, and anything remaining to touch up.

    Of course, we use the FAE…about 75% of the time on t&g and vinyl/linoleum jobs.

    Hope this is helpful to someone. It works here in SE Pennsylvania.

    #150660
    Tim nemeth
    Participant

    Good morning Daveinpa I enjoy reading your posts on the BB. How do you clean vinal/linoleum?
    Jim Wilson
    904-535-1679

    #150661
    pacheco
    Participant

    Edge vac, then spray HB Hard Surface Cleaner lightly, doing a manageable block at a time. Then use the nylon brush attachment used for T&G for the Nobles, and then buff as normal.

    ASIDE*******************************
    (Never used enzymes on linoleum or tile, either vct/act, but cannot envision any negative potential at all, except to goop and gap that doesn’t clean.)

    The only problems we have encountered are related to wear of the flooring that is beyond our control.
    **************************************
    After the area is done, then use the squeegee w/ wand attachment provided by corporate with either the Ninja or Upholstery Mate. Extract in 3′-4′ strokes. Under cabinets and in corners and tight areas we use the Oreck with a bristle brush attachment…also use this for touch up.

    Spray the next area and do the same…EASY!!!!!!!! Dry almost immediately and charge as carpet.

    The results beat anything that can be done by hand and customer’s love the value added. Also great for final cleaning when homes are being listed. Apartments are good as well.

    By offering this, apartments that have linoleum and/or tile can generate another little stream of income.

    Hope this helps. If it is not clear, please call, as I am not making any other responses in here until the edit key is removed or disabled. 717-898-6340

    #150662
    FL18
    Participant

    good info Dave.

    #150663
    HBPuyallup
    Participant

    I have been frustrated cleaning tile and grout because of the amount of effort it takes compared to carpet. I have been using lately the dirt napper with no pad. I have found out that this seem to get the little tiny holes better when you have some fine dirt in there. I don’t really use the dirt napper that much on carpet. Best thing is to keep scrubbing.

    #150664
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    One of the “issues” with the HB equipment (buffer) is that it is a topic cleaner. It doesn’t do as good a job getting down into the pores of the grout. Also the cleaner provided by corporate I believe is an alkaline. IMO you need to hit the grout lines with an acid. The acid will react with the calcium in the grout and etch the grout (removes a fine layer of grout). If you were to do this you would notice a MUCH better cleaning. Also if you are sealing the grout the sealer will create a much better bond with the grout if it is etched.

    #150665
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Old topic I realize, but what is FAE? I’ve had mixed results with buffer, grout brush and nautilus extractor with hydro force attachment.

    #150666
    Loren Turner
    Participant

    Its fast acting emzyme. Heres my number call me anytime 570-8941500. Nows good i am haveing coffee just kidding anytime. Steve.

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