Grout caked with grease!

[Ralph Pastorelli]

I looked at a restaurant that has all tile in the dining area of about 1600 sf. ft. and the grout is caked so bad it is flush with the tile. I actually took one of their butter knives and it was pealing back . My question is in stead of using a rotary with a strong grease cutting cleaner is their a tool that can be used to follow the grout lines and get a majority up before pressure cleaning? They are willing to pay extra to get it all out. I quoted them between $1400-$1800

 

[Erik]

I think you already found it, weld a pole to it or maybe a spoon would work better.

 

[Ralph Pastorelli]

There you go the next new invention for a someone to make for the industry!

 

[Mark Saiger]

We had one this bad and my guys ended up using hand held stainless steel brushes on hands and knees. I actually tried to get a stainless brush on a pole and would have to do a lot of modifying to make it work. I then found a brush company that would make custom brushes.....but not this one. Would need to order a lot of brushes.

It is just a lot of work so far I have found when this bad. If someone else has some magic on this, I would love to hear as well. Have also tried rotary brushes on heavy units and just can get the grout lines to give it up.

Mark Saiger

 

[West]

It is really just a lot of work when is that bad. I have successful used a hand chisel that has a "cupped" end on it, basically is some what shaped like the grout joint your cleaning. Have also used just plan old flat head screwdrivers and wire brushes.

As I am writing this, was just thinking....What about using a grinder with a wire wheel, assuming it doesn't damage the tile (depending what kind of tile your cleaning) and the "spray" from it doesn't make a huge mess on the walls, it could work?