quoting a tile job

[steve_64]

I talked to a car dealership about cleaning their tile yesterday. ive been cleaning the carpet but have never done tile until i did mine in the new house. I have done VCT and some concrete now but thats it.

I got a rough measurement of 5820 sq.ft. the grout is salt stained in a lot of areas and i dont think its ever been cleaned. I saw where they moved a file cabinet and OMG it was so obvious this stuff is filthy.

I forgot to take pictures and am not really sure what the material is. It looks like slate, its a light grey and one solid color, at least where the cabinet was. It has a rough texture also.

I have no idea how to bid this or what product to use. I was planning on just using a carbide brush with the 175 and a mop. I also have a nylon brush that ive used on concrete. I wasnt even thinking about worrying about the grout lines except where they are really bad because there is so much of it and i will be doing most of the work myself.

After reading another post here im thinking i should price it for the grout and sealing it, or should i split it up with the option? I may need to speak to Jim Martin about his grout sealing products and techniques.

I think im going to go back today for more information like material and expectations. I may even see if i can get a price expectation. I have to admit im a bit nervous about this. Im going to get pictures too.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Mikey P]

I highly doubt that the tile is Slate. Post pictures for sure or send a few to my cell 831 588 9063

And relax...

Ill walk you through it

 

[steve_64]

thank you Mike!

 

[Old Coastie]

And that, readers, is exactly why I have directed my elves to read these forums in their spare time.

 

[Cameron DeMille]

I wouldn't recommend your first tile job being on a floor for an existing customer to have a good report with.

With that being said, if it is porcelain or ceramic, there isn't much to it, but you say it is salt stained? Like efflorescence? If that's that case, be careful what you say to them as far as expected results. The more water that is introduced, the more of that stuff will come up to the surface. There are efflorescence removers and pre treatments out there. Vinegar works, but would look a little ghetto if a dealership is hiring you to clean. AquaMix makes a product called EFF-Ex sor something like that. I used it a long time ago and it seemed to work pretty well.

but I would strongly recommend posting pictures or sending them to Mike before you move forward. pictures help us help you.

 

[steve_64]

It looks like this should be an easy job. Im sure ill impress them.

 

[Mikey P]

How much of that salt/ efflorescence is there?

 

[jcooper]

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Steve,

It's a car dealership, they should be thrilled just to have it clean... Ever the nice ones are nasty!

The one below is the flipping lunch/break room.... Salesmen are slobs....

Put down a product, scrub the tile and grout, rinse it.... Then seal it. They are stupid if they don't seal it, most know it needs to be sealed(easy money).

5k of tile will be a lot of work.

 

[tmiklethun]

With that much of of a soil film you will have to go with an Alkaline cleaner first. I like Stone Pro and Modern Stone, but I don't know if they are in your area.

If you are going to sell them on sealing you should do a second cleaning step with an acid, but now you getting into bigger money.

Honestly on this one I don't know if would offer a sealer at first and I am a big believer in sealers. However sealing the grout wont effect the massive soil film on that tile. Since their routine cleaning system doesn't seem very good, you may want to consider offer a maintenance cleaning schedule to clean regularly, instead of sealing.

Not a difficult job, but a big one. If you have more then one truck run them or at least get a helper to run the scrubber while you extract.

Oh yeah and speed drying will help limit the efflorescence and a mild acid will typically remove it.

 

[Cameron DeMille]

I agree with Travis

 

[steve_64]

i got the job and they want it sealed. now i need to find the right sealer.

i got a good degreaser and product for the effervescence from a local supplier.

i will be scrubbing and mopping this job. im sure it will take most of the day next saturday. this will be my biggest single day payday yet.

 

[Cameron DeMille]

Stone Pro Porous Pro is great for grout. we have it quarts and gallons

http://www.easystonecare.com/Stone-Pro-Porous-Pro-Limestone-Sealer-p/sp-pp.htm

 

[steve_64]

Jobs done and customer is happy. Took three of us about thirteen hours over the weekend. Ended up using the wand to suck up the goo.

 

[steve_64]

And we talked about a maintenance program. I may even get genny in there to do some monthly cleaning.

 

[Mikey P]

What did you scrub with Steve?

 

[steve_64]

A 175 and carbide brush.

 

[Old Coastie]

Nice job, Steve. I like Viper Venom and a CRB to scrub, then a second pass with superheated steam if the first didn't get it perfectly satisfactory. I also use a 175 and blue brush but only when the grout is nearly flush with the surface. Most of our tile work is residential and other cleaning is taking place at the same time.
Good luck and congratulations!