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It's like a hospital for grout! (Not "gout," grout!)
Anyone have any feedback on any of these grout cleaning and repair services? I'd like to know.
As an interim step between a full-on HGTV renovation of our bathroom, we're figuring a little grout TLC (better trademark the name!) will get us thru another year or so. Grout, caulk... The whole thing needs a facelift.
Grout Medic did are grout lines about 3 years ago, they did a great job, floor was only 3 years old when we had it done ( biulder did a crappy job ) still looks good. Took about two days.
We did ours ourselves. We got 2 estimates and they were so darned expensive, we just decided to read up, watch youtube vids and figure it out - it worked! Worth the effort to save the money!
Maybe prices have come down but just for a small bathroom it was nearly $1000 - and we had expected it to be more like - $350.
we did ours ourselves. We got 2 estimates and they were so darned expensive, we just decided to read up, watch youtube vids and figure it out - it worked! Worth the effort to save the money!.....
we just decided to read up, watch youtube vids and figure it out - it worked!
I'm very tempted to do the exact same thing. Grab a cheap grout grinder at Harbor Freight and DIY... I'll give this thread a while, see what develops, and then make a decision. I certainly don't think this is a $1000 job at all.
I'm very tempted to do the exact same thing. Grab a cheap grout grinder at Harbor Freight and DIY... I'll give this thread a while, see what develops, and then make a decision. I certainly don't think this is a $1000 job at all.
Thanks for the push in that direction.
MC
The DIY is worth checking out. It isn't difficult to do - just get the right equipment and products.
However, please don't take my word for it on the estimate for repairs. Call some folks and have them do estimates for you. We inquired about our repairs around 2005, I believe, at the height of the housing boom here in Charlotte. At that time, everyone was charging a premium for any sort of work, b/c people were moving in here and didn't realize that costs for such things have always been traditionally lower here than in the "big cities."
A lot of these companies were start ups or relocations or expansions, w/ folks coming here to "cash in" on the housing and renovation boom. I was constantly astonished how much folks felt they could charge for stuff - b/c they were getting those prices from newcomers who didn't have a clue.
For example, I came from an area where housekeepers (good ones!) were getting $12.50 to $15 an hour. I got here and dear lord - folks were charging $35 an hour - and had a list of stuff they would only do for an upcharge (change bed - additional $5 Dust ceiling fans - additional $8) Talk about absurd - this is unskilled labor! And $35/hr translates to $70K a year - you gotta be kidding me.
Anyway, I have noticed since 2008, prices have gotten a bit more reasonable - I can get an electrician in for a bit less than 6 years ago . . . so do get estimates! You may find having someone to do it - get in and out - is much more reasonable than when I priced my job.
and speaking of grout....did any of you have your grout sealed initially? We're building our house and sealing the grout is not included (!) Our builder has offered to do it (on the side) for us....kitchen and two bathrooms for $160.00 (one coat of sealer).
alright here is my opinion ..
do your own grout, buy the removal tool and do it right while it takes work, it is an inexpensive thing to do. Mixing the new grout etc and caulking is also imo easy. It is not worth $1000 that's for sure.
and coastalnc As for grout sealing just buy the sealer, it can last 5 years dependinhg on type of area you are using, it's easy to apply and wipe off the tile, then just leave it for a few hours to absorb in properly and your done, not sure that it's worth the extra money again that job is super easy. As for one coat - all the grout sealers use different polymers to seal none lasts as long as they claim really, and all can be done in one coat. You could buy bottle and bottles of sealer (cases even) for %160.
If the grout is intact, but just discolored you can use a product like Grout Renew or Grout Restore (in Lowes/Home Depot). I did it on some 4" ceramic tiles with 1/16" grout lines that was about 30 years old with really good results. The product cost about $10-$12/bottle and i did the whole shower surround in about 2 1/2 hrs.
and speaking of grout....did any of you have your grout sealed initially? We're building our house and sealing the grout is not included (!) Our builder has offered to do it (on the side) for us....kitchen and two bathrooms for $160.00 (one coat of sealer).
Go to Lowe's and get the sealer. All it takes is "mopping" it over the surface, then wiping off.
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