Grout lines degreased and cleaned
Grout Care, Cleaning & Restoration in Hampshire
Hampshire Hard Floor Care Guide
Typical Grout Issues We Restore, Repair and Prevent
At Hampshire Hard Floor Care, we don’t just look after your stone and tiles – we also take care of the grout that holds the whole look together. Worn, cracked or stained grout can make a beautiful floor or shower look tired long before the tiles themselves need attention.
Drawing on professional stone and tile restoration guidance, we offer a full range of grout services to clean, repair, protect and, where needed, completely restore grout on stone and tiled surfaces.
What Is Grout – And Why It Matters
Grout’s job is simple but important: it fills the gaps between tiles so that dirt, debris and moisture don’t collect in the joints. Different areas and materials require different grout types, each with their own strengths and cleaning needs:
- Cement-based sanded grout – common on floors with wider joints (typically 3 mm / 1/8" and above). Strong but very absorbent if left unsealed.
- Cement-based unsanded (wall) grout – used in narrower joints and on polished stone, but still porous and prone to staining.
- Epoxy grout – a resin-based grout used in kitchens, showers and commercial areas; highly stain and chemical resistant.
- Soft / flexible joints (silicone / urethane etc.) – used at changes of plane (corners, where floor meets wall, around baths and worktops) to cope with movement.
Understanding what you have is the first step to choosing the right cleaning, restoration and sealing approach – which is exactly what we do during our survey.
Common Grout Problems We Can Help With
Grout is exposed to foot traffic, spills, cleaning chemicals, steam and everyday wear – so it’s no surprise it can go wrong over time. Typical issues we see across Hampshire include:
- Dirty, dark or greasy grout lines
- Years of mopping, steam, cooking oils and shampoo residue build up in the pores.
- Standard household cleaners often can’t reach deep enough.
- Powdery, crumbling or soft grout
- Often caused by incorrect mixing, old grout, or very absorbent tiles drawing the moisture out as it cures.
- Joints start to break down and shed dust.
- Cracked or missing grout
- Movement in the floor or subfloor, loose tiles, shrinkage or lack of expansion joints.
- Can allow water down behind tiles and into the substrate.
- Efflorescence & lime deposits (white, crusty buildup)
- Salts and minerals carried to the surface by moisture, leaving white or hard chalky deposits in the joints.
- Mould, mildew and algae in grout lines
- Common in showers, wet rooms and around baths where moisture and body oils provide a food source.
- Yellowing grout
- Caused by shampoos, soaps, body oils, smoke, iron in the water, some sealers and cleaners – especially noticeable on light or white grout.
- Grout haze on tiles or stone after installation
- A dull, patchy film left on the tile surface when grout residue isn’t cleaned away correctly during installation.
We can diagnose what’s going on and recommend the safest, most effective remedy for your specific floor or wall.
Our Professional Grout Cleaning Service
For sound grout that’s just dirty, we offer deep-cleaning methods designed specifically for grout lines – not just the surface of your tiles. Building on proven trade techniques, we typically:
- Inspect & identify
- Check the type of grout (cement-based, epoxy, flexible joint), tile type (porcelain, ceramic, marble, limestone etc.) and existing sealers.
- Dry preparation
- Vacuum and dry-mop to remove loose dirt and grit so we’re not scrubbing contaminants into the joints.
- Degreasing & alkaline cleaning
- Apply an appropriate alkaline cleaner / stripper to break down oils, greases and old residues in the grout lines.
- Targeted agitation
- Agitate using specialist brushes and machines to work right into the joints without damaging the tiles.
- Rinsing & extraction
- Rinse thoroughly and extract the slurry so residues aren’t left sitting on the surface or in the pores.
- Acid-rinse where safe & appropriate
- On suitable tiles (e.g. porcelain and many ceramics – never on marble or limestone) we may follow with a controlled mild acid treatment to tackle mineral deposits and brighten the grout.
- Thorough drying
- Allow the area to dry fully so it’s ready for sealing or further treatment.
This process is suitable for:
- Kitchens and hallways
- Family bathrooms and en-suites
- Wet rooms and showers
- Stone floors (travertine, limestone, marble, slate, sandstone, terrazzo etc.) – adjusted to be safe for each stone
- Porcelain and ceramic floors and walls
Grout Repair, Removal & Replacement
Where grout has failed, cleaning alone isn’t enough. We provide professional grout repairs and full regrouting:
Localised Grout Repairs
Ideal where only small areas are cracked, missing or poorly bonded:
- Carefully rake out failed grout to the correct depth.
- Check for and address any loose tiles before proceeding.
- Refill using a compatible grout type and colour, matched as closely as possible to the existing joints.
- Reinstate flexible silicone in corners and movement joints where required.
Complete Grout Removal & Regrouting
For heavily contaminated, badly installed or extensively cracked grout we can:
- Mechanically remove the old grout to the correct depth (usually at least 4–6 mm).
- Clean out the joints and vacuum away dust and debris.
- Regrout using appropriate products for the tile type, joint width and area of use (e.g. epoxy grout in heavy-use showers or commercial kitchens).
- Finish with cleaning, haze removal and sealing once cured.
This restores both the appearance and integrity of the installation, often transforming a “ruined” floor or shower without the cost and disruption of full replacement.
Grout Sealing: Protecting Your Investment
Freshly cleaned or newly installed grout is extremely porous and will readily absorb spills, dirt and everyday contaminants. To keep it looking good for longer, we strongly recommend professional sealing.
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Penetrating (Impregnating) Grout Sealers
These are our go-to option for most hard floors and showers:
- Penetrate into the grout rather than forming a film on top.
- Help repel water- and often oil-based spills, so they sit on the surface for longer instead of soaking straight in.
- Leave the grout looking natural – no shine or “plastic” look.
- Are suitable for most indoor and outdoor grout joints.
We choose between hydrophobic (water-repellent) and oleophobic (water and oil-repellent) formulations depending on the area – for example:
- Kitchens & dining areas: typically oleophobic, to help repel oils, grease and food spills.
- Bathrooms & showers: high-performance water repellency and resistance to shampoos and toiletries.
Surface Coatings (Film-Forming Sealers)
These are sometimes used in specific situations but are generally less suitable for domestic stone floors, as they:
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- Sit on the surface and can scratch, scuff and yellow over time.
- Can build up and look patchy or artificial.
- Often need regular stripping and reapplication.
We’ll always advise you honestly on the pros and cons for your particular floor and how you use the space.
Grout Colour Sealing & Colour Change
If your grout is structurally sound but suffers from permanent staining or uneven colour, grout colour sealing is a superb option.
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With the right professional products and preparation we can:
- Refresh tired grout back to its original shade, or
- Completely change the grout colour (e.g. from patchy cream to a contemporary mid-grey).
Our process includes:
- Deep cleaning and preparation of the grout.
- Adhesion testing to ensure colour sealer will bond properly.
- Careful application of specialist colour sealer into the joints.
- Removal of any excess from the tile surface once dry.
The result is a grout line that not only looks new but is also sealed and easier to maintain, with improved resistance to future staining.
Solving Specific Grout Issues
We regularly help clients across Hampshire with:
- Yellowed grout: identify the cause (products, water quality, smoke, iron, etc.), deep clean and treat; then seal or colour seal for a fresher, more stable finish.
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- Mouldy shower grout: safely remove biological growth, improve cleaning routines, replace failed silicone and seal to help slow regrowth.
- Efflorescence & mineral deposits: diagnose moisture sources, mechanically remove heavy deposits, use appropriate cleaners, and advise on ongoing moisture control.
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- Grout haze on stone and tiles: apply the correct removal method for porcelain, ceramic, marble, limestone or granite without damaging the surface.
Where We Work & Typical Surfaces
We provide grout cleaning, repair, sealing and colour sealing across Hampshire in:
- Kitchens, diners and family rooms
- Hallways and entrance lobbies
- Bathrooms, wet rooms and en-suites
- Utility rooms and boot rooms
- Conservatories, garden rooms and orangeries
- Stone and tiled commercial spaces (reception areas, washrooms, showrooms and more)
Typical surfaces include:
- Natural stone: travertine, limestone, marble, slate, sandstone, terrazzo
- Man-made tiles: porcelain, ceramic, quarry tiles, terracotta
- Walls & floors: internal and (where appropriate) external areas
Why Choose Hampshire Hard Floor Care for Grout Work?
- Specialist stone & tile knowledge – We understand how different grout types behave with different tiles, stone and cleaning products.
- Professional-grade products & methods – We follow trade-proven techniques based on industry manuals and training, not generic “one product for everything” shortcuts.
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- Tailored approach for every floor – We assess your installation, usage and expectations before recommending cleaning, repair, sealing or colour sealing options.
- Local, family-run service – Friendly, careful work in your home, with clear explanations and aftercare advice.
Ready to Revive Your Grout?
If your stone or tiled floors and walls are let down by grubby, cracked or patchy grout, we can help – often without the upheaval of replacement.