Cleaning vs. Replacing Tile… What is Better?

When looking at new homes, or planning a remodel of your existing space, flooring is an important consideration. Tile choices are always popular, but it can be expensive. Are you considering cleaning tile or replacing tile in your home or project? Revivify, Your Surface Solution, discusses different scenarios concerning cleaning tile and replacing tile in your home.

Cleaning Tile vs. Replacing Tile

Many homeowners are are unschooled concerning tile flooring and when you should clean it or replace it. After some simple pricing, they may become convinced that cleaning is among the better tile choices. But, if you have searched for ‘how to clean tile’ or ‘how to clean grout’ on the internet, you have likely found as many home remedies as there are styles of tile.

There will come a time when replacing your tile flooring will become a necessity. But replacing time can be a time-consuming and expensive project. If restoring your tile is still an option, you will want to choose that route. But how do you know when it’s time to restore or time to replace? Follow these tips to determine which choice to make.

Restoring Your Tile

Cleaning tile is going to be the more affordable choice. It is always a smart investment to choose a professional cleaner when restoring your tile flooring. Professionals have the tools, skills, materials, and knowledge to restore your floors to like-new condition without harming the surfaces or the rest of your home. If any of the following conditions describe your tile flooring, it’s time for a restoration and cleaning:

• Crumbling Grout – When your grout begins to crumble, collect water, and scratch, it’s time to refurbish or replace it. Damaged grout can start a chain reaction leading to cracks and breakage.
• Dingy Grout – Grout with dirt and grime embedded in it needs cleaning and refurbishing.
• Lack of Shine – When your tile is dull and faded, it needs a facelift.
• Small Chips or Holes – Most small chips and holes are easily repaired, and should be sealed immediately following the repair.
• Stains – Most hard stains require specialized cleaning supplies and tools to remove.
• Water Invasion – Grout is designed to keep water from getting underneath your tiles, but it can still get in if the seal breaks or the tile was improperly installed. This will lead to mold and fungal growth that can be dangerous to your health.

Replacing Your Tile

When tile is beyond repair, it must be replaced. If your tile has any of the following conditions, it’s time to replace it:

• Broken or Cracked Tiles – Broken tile must be replaced, especially if there are multiple tiles with obvious breakage.
• Loose Tiles – Loose tiles can become safety issues as well as allow moisture underneath to cause even more damage. Loose tiles can also be a sign of a structural issue that should be investigated.
• Missing Tiles – Obviously, you must replace missing tiles. The ugly holes can be filled with nothing else.

Tile choices range from ceramic at $0.60 per tile to marble at $7.50 per square foot. Depending on your budget and preferences, you can easily spend between $1500 to $8000 replacing tile flooring, not including the cost of removing the existing tile. Often, you can save as much as 80% by restoring your tile instead of replacing it.

Revivify – Your Surface Solution

Obviously, you want to save and refurbish your existing tile flooring if possible. At Revivify, we are Your Surface Solution for all manner of interior tile flooring. Our repair and cleaning services will restore your tile to a like-new appearance, with added protective sealant to make it last. Call us at 360-828-7645 or fill out the online contact form to schedule a consultation.