Waxy substance on porcelain tile

[ghouser]

I just bought a house with porcelain tile thought out the downstairs. I was getting it steam cleaned prior to move in and the cleaner found a waxy substance on the tile and the grout. It has now left a slippery substance on the floor and the cleaner says he can't re-seal the grout. Anyone run into this before? I have never heard of sealing the porcelain tile itself, only the grout. A commercial floor cleaning company says that they can strip the floors without hurting the grout. It is this correct?


We move in this weekend and help is needed ASAP.

Thanks,

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[SABoyt]

I find it interesting that there was no waxy substance noticed prior to the steam cleaning. Not to say that things like this don't happen, but.......

The best thing to do since you are in a hurry is to find a reputable HARD SURFACE cleaning company, not a carpet cleaner that cleans grout. Have them make a determination as to what needs to be done. Yes, it will need to be sealed again, especially after the cleaning to remove the waxy buildup. Just have your contractor seal the grout as part of the job.

What might be present on the tile is a buildup of cleaner or wax, like Mop and Glow (even typing that name gets me fired up). These types of cleaners along with others like Pine Sol can leave residue behind that will build up over time. The steam cleaner should have been able to identify the problem and resolve it if they are professional tile and grout guys. It may respond to one of many types of cleaners/strippers including acid and alkaline products. Just depends on what it was. It sounds like the steam cleaner might have used something (maybe just the steam) that caused the substance to emulsify. After drying it was left slippery because it did not rebond.

Can you contact the seller to see if they know what was put on the floor or what they used to clean it in the past? This would be a good start.

Where are you located?

[ghouser]

Steve,

I am located in San Diego. I think it was just steam. Unfortunately I can not contact the seller.... It was a bank as the place was a foreclosure and we bought it as is.

Good advice though and will give it to my "new" commercial floor cleaner.

Greg