Natural Stone, Tile and Grout Care

Did you know that at Bob’s Best we also specialize in the deep cleaning, polishing & sealing of Travertine, Marble, Granite and Ceramic floors?

Our IICRC licensed trained technicians will bring back shine, removing the lack luster appearance caused from tiny scratches and breath new life into your investment. Here are a few questions about sealing we get asked many times, and our answers are below.

How important is it to seal my new Travertine, Marble, Granite, Limestone, Slate Tile & Grout?
Answer: Very important!! Most, if not all of these materials will absorb liquids and dark liquids can leave a stain when the proper sealer is not applied. Here is a good example: Travertine floors that has had red wine spilled on it and left overnight could pose a potential issue. If this floor had not been sealed that red wine stain would be much more difficult to remove and, possibly, could permanently stain the stone. So a good sealer properly applied will allow your material to be “stain resistant”…not stain proof. In addition a properly sealed floor will make your regular cleaning maintenance program much more effective allowing for fewer “professional cleanings”.

Is it really worth the price it cost to seal my Granite, Travertine, Limestone, Marble, Tile & Grout?
Answer: Absolutely! When investing somewhere between $5.00 – $20.00 (or much more) per square foot for your stone or tile to be installed, is it not worth the .75 – $1.00 per square foot to protect it? However, I must add…not all sealers are created equal nor are all applications being done properly to allow them to perform to their optimal level. If you are not satisfied with how your sealer is performing, most likely, an inexpensive product has been used and or has been applied improperly by an inexperienced applicator. The technology available today had resulted in some excellent protective sealers that, when you break it down by the square foot cost of the whole job it is extremely economical and effective to protect your valuable investment.

How often should I re-seal my natural stone, tile or grout?
Answer:. There are a few things to consider when answering this question: What type of sealer was first applied, was it applied properly, how much walking traffic does the area have, how often is the shower used, what type of cleaner is used & how often is the area being cleaned. (This is an important question to really consider with showers) There are basically two types of sealers, one is generically called a “topical sealer” which is really a coating, for it sits on top of stone or tile like paint sits on drywall. Second type is a “penetrating sealer” which as the name implies penetrates inside your stone or grout & protects just below the surface, nothing is left on top. Not all, but most polished natural stones: marble, travertines, granites, etc. it is recommended to use a “penetrating sealer” and NOT a “topical”.
So how often should one re-seal? As you can see it really can vary depending on many factors. The best way to determine if your sealer is still being effective is to have Bob’s Best do a free inspection & consultation.
Here are the general guidelines: Softer floor stones that are more porous ; limestone, travertine & cement grouts: Traffic areas 1- 2 years ( kitchen, entries, main walk areas) non-traffic areas 2-5 years. Heavily used showers should be inspected every year and re- sealed at least every 2 years of sooner .Granite counter tops 5-10 years, Marble counter tops could be about the same as granite depending on the marble, however marble as another maintenance consideration that is very often mistaken as a stain, etch marks. And, although there are always new products hitting the market I have yet to test a ”sealer” that prevents etching, as well as, leaving the marble as natural looking as possible.

 

How to remove a stain from your carpet

The 6 Steps to Removing Spots

Our customers constantly ask us the best way to remove spots from their carpet or oriental rugs. Below is a list of six steps to help keep your flooring pristine!

  1. Catch the stain while it’s fresh if possible, this increases your chances of removal to 75% better. Don’t iron or hot-air dry the carpet or rug until the stain is completely gone. Heat will set most stains.
  2. First blot up all the liquid and scrape up all the solids you possibly can. On a large liquid spill you can use a wet/dry vac. Be careful not to spread the stain.
  3. Test any chemical you intend to use in a hidden area to make sure it won’t discolor or damage the surface.
  4. Apply spotter and work from the outside of the stain in, to avoid spreading. Blot, don’t scrub; strike with the flat face of a spotting brush if needed to help break up the stain.
  5. Rinse chemical spotters out with water, blot the area dry and feather the edges. Brush or fluff up pile or nap.
  6. On carpet and upholstery, put a thick pad of toweling over the spot, weight it down with books, and leave it there overnight to “wick up” any remaining moisture.

If these steps don’t do the trick, please call us and let us help.

− Bob’s Best

When to clean your carpets

When Should I Clean My Carpet?

Many people believe that the only reason to clean carpets is to get he dirt out. But that’s not the case.

The outdoor air contains pollens, fungus, bacteria, air pollution, cigarette smoke, car exhaust – and literally hundreds of other chemicals that can absorb into your carpeting. When you and your family members come into your home, you carry those pollens, bacteria and chemicals in your hair and on your skin, clothing and especially your shoes. Not surprisingly, all those contaminates end up in your carpet.

If you have allergies, asthma, emphysema, or other breathing problems – one major source of your problem could be the pollens, fungus, and chemicals in your carpet.

In addition, as you may know, tobacco smoke contains over 4,000 different chemical compounds, 43 of which cause cancer. And even if you don’t smoke, those chemicals get in your shoes, you track them in to your home and leave them in your carpet.

If you’re sensitive to cigarette smoke, you might find that you’ll breathe easier after you hire a company to get those harmful chemicals out of your carpet.

So in addition to getting rid of dirt, another important reason to clean your carpet is to get rid of pollens, fungus, bacteria, chemicals and the tars and residue from tobacco smoke.

– Bob’s Best