Quarry Tile

[William Given]

Dear John,

I am a facilities engineer and have a current project that involves refurbishing a Galley (Kitchen). The Galley floor is 6"x6" quarry Tile with 3/8" wide grout joints. As part of the scope of work for the project, we would like to clean the quarry tile and grout joints. Being a kitchen, it is likely that there is grease and organics that have been ground into the tile and grout pores.

Can you please suggest the proper method for cleaning the tile and grout and then sealing it. Some people I have spoken to have told me not to seal the tile. Is this good advice?

I am looking for a step by step procedure and recommended products. Also, how many coats of sealer should be applied? How long between coats and how long after final coating before Galley can be used for normal use? How can we best clean the grout joints and does the cleaner have to be ph neutralized after cleaning? Thanks for having this wonderful web site!
Will

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[Davestone]

Typically i would use a buffer with a grout brush attachment,and a cleaner such as Krud Kutter.let the Kutter dwell,agitate with the brush,then use a pressure extractor for the final clean up.If this doesn't get it clean an acidic cleaner...any tile and grout cleaner could be used then same procedure.For the sealing i would use a good impregnating sealer on the grout only.

[SABoyt]

Will, i would suggest developing a relationship with a professional tile and grout cleaning company. They will give you the best results and can be a local source for answering your questions as a facilities manager. Cleaning a kitchen is not a one time job. It will need to be done routinely to keep it safe and working as it should to absorb grease and oil.

If you insist on doing it yourself, you will needs lots of hot water a good alkaline cleaner (degreaser). Scrub, scrub and scrub then extract with a wet vac. Don't seal the tile as it will stop the tile from doing its job at slip resistance. Don't use an acid cleaner until you have tested for acid reactivity. Acid is for cleaning minerals which you usually don't have a lot of in a kitchen. Before sealing the grout, determine what type of grout you have. If it is epoxy, you can't seal it.