Tile flooring

[aspen contractors]

Wasn't sure where to post this but figured the kitchen guys would know more. What products / techniques would you use to do tile floors? Basically, I have a client that runs a hospital that wants the bathroom tiles done. Not sure of how he could do it or if i suited to do it. One major factor is that outside the bathroom is carpeting and cannot get wet. I was thinking more along the lines of steam cleaning but I have never done that.

Thanks,

Rob Huffman
Aspen Contractors
443 307 7662

[Alexy]

Well, Most kitchens have a heavy pocelain tile that is impervoius .You can use a degreaser or even a caustic on that stuff and hot pressure wash it away. Unfortunately with a bathroom if there are any aluminum brass or soft metal fixtures. Not to mention plastics,vinyl or piant you cant use a caustic so stick with a gentle degreaser and go from there. If you have a floor drain anywhwere you are well ahaead of the game as far as cleanup I would suggest plastic over what you don't want oversprayed and make sure the water rclaim set up is bulteproof since if the water goes to the florr below I am sure the hospital will be sending you the bill.

[Beth n Rod]

For your consideration...we do janitorial work and this is something we have done in the past so from our experience standpoint, I pass it on for anyone else to use.
You will need a wet vac. You will need Hot water to get this to work well.
Apply your chem and agitate, especially the grout using a brush. Give it some dwell time and apply again where needed and then use the vac to extract it.
Some use a low rpm rotating brush machine to clean tile and others use steam machines similar to those for removing gum. If you can find a unit for rent, there are lvlp units that use a surface cleaner with extraction to clean tiles. They operate at about 120-160psi and <2gpm.
Afterwards, and the grout comes as clean as you can get it, once dry, apply a grout sealer just to the grout with an applicator bottle that has an applicator brush that is fed from the bottle. Most tile distributors and supply stores have them. This is of course if you charge to have this done. It is not expensive, the sealer costs around $6.00 and the applicator bottle around $3.00, but the time is what you should be charging for. It will take you about 20-30 minutes to do the application.

Rod!~

[James]

I am looking at the process and buying at the moment. Steam vapor systems would work because you can steam the carpet. Some hospitals use this process already. Much reading to do!!!

[coonneck]

Go to dirtygrout.com and post these questions. You mat also ask if anyone is in your area that can help you. Good luck.

[Beth n Rod]

I have been to that site and they are very knowledgeable on tile.

Rod!~

[Steve Kiser]

I would use an acid to clean the bathroom tile, a company called StoneTech has a great product or ViperVenom (I use this on anything but bathrooms) i.e. Kitchens, entry's, etc, tile is real fast and EASY