Even in a well maintained home, tile work is often neglected. Walls, trim and ceilings are regularly spackled and painted, often as frequently as every two-three years. Rugs are shampooed, wood floors buffed and polished. However, other than standard cleaning, tile, grout and caulking are often neglected, not for years, but decades. Besides the obvious visual benefits to re-grouting and re-caulking, there are potential problems that can arise from neglecting your tile work, some even health threatening. If left unchecked the problem will continue to get worse.
1. Black Mold
Black mold is a term used to describe the, greenish-black substance found in many bathrooms. If left unchecked it will continue to thrive, possibly causing health hazards. Especially at risk are small children and those with allergies.
2. Potential Water Damage
When tile and stone are not properly installed and, equally important, maintained, water damage can occur. If left unchecked water can seep into and behind walls, ceilings and floors. In addition to the, afore mentioned, mold issues, this could lead to costly damage both in the home and adjacent homes.
3. Green Green Green
In addition to helping to prevent the spread of mold and costly water damage re-caulking and re-grouting has a much less negative impact on environment.
Debris from renovating (old tile, drywall, studs etc.) can weigh hundreds of pounds. This debris has no recyclable value and becomes unnecessary land fill. In contrast the amount of debris created by re-grouting and re-caulking, an average size bathroom, weighs ounces and can fit into a small grocery bag.
Emissions from trucks traveling to the dump and shipment of the replacement materials to warehouses and eventually the job site all add to air pollution.
Less air pollution and landfill all add up to a greener environment
4. Economically Sound
Whether you are looking to sell your home or plan to stay put, re-grouting and re-caulking is the most economically sound way to improve the look and prolong the life of all your tile work while still offering protection against possible health risks and costly repairs. Great for multi-unit property owners!
5. Besides It Simply Looks Better!
Re-grouting and re-caulking greatly enhances the look of all tile work. In many instances the tile will look as good as it did the day it was installed.
There are even many ways to change the looks of your tile work to enhance its appearance. Variations in grout and caulk color, adding or removing accent and border tiles as well as swapping out dated fixtures can all update your present bathroom or kitchen without the cost, and stress associated with a full renovation.