Terracotta Kitchen Floor in Newtown Square, PA Says Goodbye to Dingy Grout Lines Thanks to a Grout Sealing Service

October 24, 2019

Terracotta tile flooring provides a rustic appearance that is hard to imitate. It can be used sealed or unsealed, depending on the application and the intended look. When sealed, terracotta improves its overall quality and becomes resistant to moisture, scratches, and stains. Even though most homeowners choose sealed terracotta to ensure they have long-lasting tiles, they often neglect the grout that keeps them together. Just like terracotta, grout is porous. This means it'll last longer if it's properly sealed. Severe grout damage is hard to reverse and will often result in costly repairs, so it's best to take extra measures to keep grout protected.


A resident from Newtown Square, PA recently contacted us to have the grout on his terracotta kitchen floor restored. Over time, the wear stemming from daily foot traffic, food spills, and dirt began to show on the floor. The tiles were in great shape, but the same couldn't be said about the grout lines. Concerned, the homeowner went online and searched for advice. He found grout tends to discolor when it hasn't been properly sealed. Most websites also suggested thoroughly cleaning the fixtures before sealing them to ensure the best possible results. Since his previous attempts at cleaning were unsuccessful, the owner decided he would leave it in the hands of Newtown Square Grout Sealing professionals.

When he searched online for a reputable company, our website appeared in the top search results. After reading some of the reviews left by previous customers and browsing our picture gallery, he called to schedule a free in-home assessment.

On the appointed date, we visited the client's home to assess the surface. When we walked into the kitchen, we immediately noticed the grout lines were heavily discolored. We asked the homeowner about his cleaning methods. He explained that his wife often cleaned the floor using a damp mop and over-the-counter products. After we inspected the products she used, we learned most of them contained soap. Together with dirt, the cleaners had permeated the grout's surface and made it appear dingy.

Like any other kitchen floor, the surface had also been subject to many food spills over the years. Because the client had sealed terracotta tiles, the spills didn't harm them. However, the grout lines near the kitchen counters were cracked and severely stained. It was clear to us that the grout hadn't been sealed in a long time. Had that been the case, the damage would've been prevented.

Despite its current state, it wouldn't be necessary to perform any major repairs on the floor. We would only need to replace the damaged grout near the counters while performing our standard grout cleaning and sealing procedure. Feeling relieved, the customer agreed to the service and scheduled an appointment for the job.

We went back to the customer's home on the scheduled day to restore the floor. We began by soaking the surface with a pH-neutral cleaner to loosen the embedded dirt. This cleaner also contains ingredients that can help inhibit the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms, making it the ideal cleaning solution for high-traffic areas where food is handled. After we let the cleaner sit for a few minutes, we used a high-speed scrubber to clean the tiles and grout lines. We also used a steam cleaner to remove the most stubborn grime from the grout lines around the kitchen counters.

After we vacuumed up the dirty cleaner residue and dried the floor, we repaired the damaged grout. Once we finished the repairs, we applied our proprietary sealant ColorSeal to the grout lines. On top of protecting grout against water, spills, stains, mold, and mildew, this sealant recolors the fixtures to a uniform color. The client chose light gray ColorSeal to complement the rustic appearance of the terracotta tiles.

When we finished, we let the homeowner see the floor. He was pleased with the results. The grout that was once stained had become pristine. He thanked us for our work and promised he would call back for maintenance.

Prior to leaving, we gave the customer a few care tips so he could keep the floor in its current condition. We first recommended steering away from soapy cleaners because they tend to leave a sticky residue behind that traps dirt and debris. The floor should be regularly maintained using a pH-neutral cleaner like Sir Grout's Natural Hard Surface Cleaner instead. On top of being tile-safe, our proprietary cleaner keeps grout dirt-free and in good shape. We also suggested wiping the excess moisture away from the floor after every cleaning session. Adding this extra step to their cleaning routine will help prevent water seepage and mold growth. The customer thanked us for the tips and promised he'd take special care of his brand-new looking floor.

Are you looking for grout sealing services in Newtown Square or nearby areas? Contact Sir Grout of Greater Chester County. We have the necessary tools and expertise to offer the best hard surface restoration services in the industry. Call us at (215) 609-4868 or fill out the "Request a Quote" form on this page to schedule a free in-home evaluation today. Don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter to keep up with our latest news and promotions.

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