Our Specialists Transformed a Travertine Shower in Chicago with Their Grout Sealing Services

July 10, 2024

A homeowner in Chicago was very proud of her travertine shower, so when she first found signs of deterioration on the tiles, finding a solution became her number one priority. Traces of soap scum spread all over the walls and the grout also showed signs of discoloration. Since regular cleaners did nothing to solve the problem, the homeowner decided to contact out grout sealing service in Chicago.


She'd come across our website a couple of times while looking for stone maintenance tips, so her expectations were already high when she went back to get in touch with our crew. It was easy to complete her request online, and our specialists responded right away.

As requested, they visited her house the following day for an in-home evaluation and the homeowner led them to the bathroom while giving an overview of the problem. Our crew carefully went over each problem, testing their cleaners on the stains and looking for cracks on all the grout lines. The damage was very visible on the floor where water and soap had seeped behind the tiles, leaving the grout looking brittle and neglected.

When asked about it, our experts explained that chemical-based cleaners can cause as much damage as the minerals in soap water, because they leave the porous surface unprotected against external elements. The best course of action was a complete restoration service with the right products and equipment. The client listened as our crew explained the process before scheduling a date to have her shower restored.

Our techs returned a few days after the evaluation, this time with the necessary equipment to complete their work in a single session. First, they deep cleaned the shower with a permeating cleaner and a 275-degree vapor steamer to remove all traces of mold, including the stains on the corner joints.

By this point, the travertine had regained much of its former vibrancy and the tiles looked more appealing. Our specialists made the necessary repairs to the seams and the grout on the floor, replacing the old caulk with waterproof epoxy mix for maximum durability. Our epoxy solution removes all the problems of cement-based grout because it makes the surface less porous, reducing the chances of moisture buildup and embedded dirt.

Then, our experts sealed the rest of the grout with ColorSeal, an acrylic-based sealant that protects the grout lines against soap, mold, mildew and more. The process brought the grout back to its original white color, creating a lovely contrast with the travertine tiles.

The client was obviously delighted with the result, and she promised to recommend our services to more people in the area, including many of her neighbors who'd gone through similar issues in the past.

Our specialists shared some additional cleaning tips at the end of the appointment. They started by recommending pH-neutral cleaners over other solutions like bleach and soap-made products. Sir Grout's Natural Hard Surface Cleaner removes large amounts of dirt without altering the appearance of travertine surfaces. You only need our cleaner to get through all the stains, so there's no need to add chemical-based products that could corrode the sealant's protection over time. Moreover, you can keep a safer environment in your bathroom spaces because our cleaner doesn't release toxic fumes into the air.

Another important recommendation is to avoid using abrasive tools on natural stone surfaces since it's easy to scratch the tiles in the process. The best way to wipe out any residue is by using a clean towel, a terry cloth, or a squeegee. Not only will you avoid damage to the surface, but the dirt will be removed more effectively.

Lastly, our techs recommended checking the room's ventilation to counter the effects of moisture buildup. The best way to stop the spread of mold is with a constant circulation of fresh air in your bathroom surfaces and other parts of your home.

Sir Grout Chicago provides a variety of hard surface restoration services to revamp residential surfaces. Our team will surprise you with their skills and the result will not bring any harmful side effects. You can make your stone surfaces look their best for a long time and improve your own cleaning routine. Just call (773) 923-2084 or schedule a free quote online to request an appointment. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter so you don't miss our latest promotions and updates.