A Remarkable Stone Cleaning Job in Chicago, Brought Back the Natural Charm of This River Rock Shower
August 28, 2018
River rock shower flooring is crafted from round, polished stones. It is a great choice for homeowners who want to add a natural point of interest in their house or bring the outdoor inside. Like any other type of flooring, river rock pebbles become dirty with daily wear and tear. The upkeep of this natural stone can be difficult because unlike other types of tiles, it has a porous composition that can be damaged by chemical cleaners. Acid-based products such as vinegar and ammonia can etch the multiple pebbles that make the flooring. This etching leaves the surface with an unappealing dull look and it can't be removed with conventional methods. Stone cleaning professionals have the knowledge, tools, and products to safely restore this kind of rock and save the owner a lot of trouble.
A homeowner from Chicago, remodeled his old shower using river rock tiles. He wanted to give his bathroom a natural look. The results were amazing. He loved the relaxing feeling the pebbles had on the shower, as if he were in a river outside but in the comfort of his own house. However, after a few months of the installation, he began to notice some negative changes on the surface. The floor looked dirty and the grout lines on the walls had a darkish, stained color. No matter what he tried, this degraded condition didn't improve. He was in need of our experienced stone cleaning service in Chicago. Before contacting us, the owner began searching for methods to get rid of all the blemishes that were affecting his bathroom. He found some DIY procedures in a magazine and he decided to gather the products the instructions suggested.
As instructed, he mixed water, vinegar, and ammonia in a bowl. The owner soaked a cloth in the mixture and scrubbed the surface with it. He left it there for some time and cleaned it using a brush. The man performed this procedure on the entire floor. Then he scrubbed the grout lines on the walls with a toothbrush. The chore took almost all day. Unfortunately, this method was not successful, and in fact, he noticed some negative reactions on the surface. Because of the acidic composition of the vinegar and the ammonia, the pebbles became etched, leaving the floor even more damaged. The man was not pleased with this outcome and decided to look for professional assistance.
He went online and searched for the best stone cleaning company in Chicago, IL. In the top search results, he found Sir Grout Chicago. The exceptional and professional service we offer was impressive, and the man began getting all the information he could. As he browsed our website, the picture gallery caught his attention. The pictures showed the amazing results of our work. He was happy to see we had restored bathrooms with the same flooring as his and with similar problems. After that, he read the positive feedback we had received over the years that certified us as a leading company in the hard surface restoration industry. He was convinced we could solve all the bathroom's issues and decided to give us a call to request a free consultation.
We arrived at the house a couple of days later to begin the inspection of the shower and to offer the most effective solution for the problem. We greeted the owner and proceeded to assess the condition of the surface. At first glance, we noticed the awful etching on the river rock tiles. This is the result of harsh cleaning products used on the floor without proper training and procedure. The etching gave the floor a dull, unappealing look. Upon closer examination, we spotted dirt, grime, and soap scum accumulated on the tiles. This was caused by daily wear and tear promoted by the usage of bar soaps. The grout lines on the walls had become badly stained. We explained that once the grout and the harmful materials become one, the darkish, muddy color can't be removed without the right equipment.
We concluded that the shower required professional maintenance in order to fully remove the dull spots and the dirt from the rock and give the grout lines a pristine look. We offered a stone cleaning service to restore the bathroom using our advanced techniques and high-quality, stone-safe products to ensure optimal results. We would seal the surface with our unique and exclusive Stone Armor. Our high level sealant wards off damages all while enhancing the look of the stone. We would also apply our top-notch ColorSeal on the grout lines. This unique product would provide an extra layer of protection against external agents and boosts the look of the grout with a uniform color. We assured the owner that after our work his bathroom would have a brand-new appearance. He was pleased with our assessment and accepted our offer. He agreed to set up a date for the job.
On the appointed date, we returned to our client's house ready for the stone cleaning process. It was a procedure that required the most advanced techniques and high-quality products. Several steps were necessary to complete the job. We began by cleaning the surface using our exclusive stone-safe cleaning product and a high-speed scrubber. Our cleaner now has an enhanced formula that can help inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi. We used a steam cleaner to safely remove all the dirt and dust from the bathroom's pebble flooring, leaving it ready for the next step.
We performed all the necessary repairs in the wall's grout lines and sealed them with our unique ColorSeal. This high level sealant blocks the absorption of water and protects the surface against dirt, grime, and all other harmful external agents, all while making cleaning routines easier and faster. Once this was done, we began the honing process on the river rock floor.
We ran three sets of honing pads with increasing levels of grit and grinded until all the blemishes disappeared. When this was completed, we were ready to continue with the next process. To enhance the natural stone surface and guard it against all future damages, we buffed the river rock flooring with our top of the line Stone Armor. This sealant is especially designed to protect the surface from the wear and tear of daily use, and shields it from all sorts of liquids, warding off stains, discoloration, and other signs of deterioration. It also boosts the stone by giving it a brand-new look. With the right maintenance, this protection will last for years to come.
When we completed all the work, the bathroom had been fully restored. The floor looked gorgeous. All the dirt had been removed from the rock, revealing its natural charm. The grout lines on the walls had a pristine, refreshed appearance and a brand-new color. The stone was completely sealed and protected against all damages, thanks to our special sealants. The shower looked in top condition and it was finally free of all the issues that were giving a difficult time to the owner. This level of restoration was only possible with our professional techniques and our high-quality exclusive products.
We invited our client to see the outcome of the process. The owner saw the floor and he was amazed to see that it no longer looked dull or dirty. It had recovered its allure and beauty. He continued inspecting the shower and he was pleasantly surprised with the pristine, brand-new appearance of the grout lines. The man was happy with the results and said that our performance had gone beyond his expectations. After thanking us, he stated that from that point on, he would recommend our services to all his friends, family, and neighbors. Sir Grout Chicago had become his company of choice for hard surface restoration.
We provide our clients long lasting, easy to maintain results and we always take time to train them on how to perform proper cleaning routines on their restored surface. Before leaving, we gave the owner some recommendations and suggestions to keep his shower in top condition:
- Use pH-neutral, stone-safe cleaners that won't remove the sealer or etch the stone like our Sir Grout's Natural Hard Surface Cleaner. Our product is harmless for the grout and tiles because it doesn't leave any sticky residue. Also, it has an ingredients that can help provide protection against bacteria and fungi. Acidic substances react with the composition of the stone and leave etches on the surface, causing dull spots to appear. These types of cleaners should be avoided.
- Keep the shower well ventilated and dry. This is important to prevent fungi growth due to the moisture of the environment. Dry the surface using a squeegee, a towel or a terry cloth. Squeegeeing is a great choice to prevent soap scum buildup. Also, leave the doors open, especially after hot showers.
- Use gel soap instead of bar soap. This alternative won't leave any harmful residue on the tiles and grout. Soap scum is nothing more than bar soap residue that has re-hardened on the surface. Not using these soaps would mitigate the accumulation of soap scum in the shower.
It is possible to restore your dingy and unappealing natural stone bathroom to its prime days with Sir Grout Chicago's professional help. Our award-wining stone cleaning processes will give your surface a new life. We provide the most experienced and qualified assistance that will make any stone look brand-new. As a leading company in the hard surface restoration industry, we offer the most effective techniques to help you with your problem. Don't hesitate to contact us by calling (773) 923-2084 or by filling out our "Request a Quote" form for a free in-home consultation. We will attend you gladly. Also, keep up to date with our latest info and promotions by subscribing to our newsletter.
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