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Stone & Tile Restoration Helps Sell Homes

If you plan to list your home for sale, it’s a good idea to put professional stone and tile restoration on your to-do list. A simple way to improve buyer appeal and help your home sell quickly for the price you are asking is by having clean, elegant, welcoming floors and surfaces. According to Bankrate.com, the number one turnoff for buyers when they enter a home is a lack of overall cleanliness. Stone and tile can be freshly cleaned, but still look (and smell) dirty. Here’s why:

Odors

Grout is porous, so it can trap all kinds of odors, but especially pet odors, which can be a deal-breaker for many homebuyers. Professional tile and grout cleaning leaves your floors smelling clean and fresh. Grout lines can be color sealed, for a fresh, spot-free, uniform appearance.

Mildew

Eliminating allergens and other pollutants from your bath and shower areas is especially important for potential buyers with allergies. If they walk into the bathroom and see problematic grout lines, they’re likely to turn around and leave. Regular cleaning methods and even professional cleaning services cannot achieve the same level of deep-down clean as professional tile and grout cleaning.

Stains and etches

Natural stone can be perfectly sanitized, yet appear dirty if it is stained or etched. Many homebuyers see stains and etches on natural stone and raise unwarranted red flags about the overall cleanliness of the home. Most stains can be removed. Etches can be honed away and then polished to restored the finish of the stone.

Scratches and dullness

Thousands of tiny scratches and other signs of wear can make the surface of natural stone look dull and dirty. Larger scratches leave the (inaccurate) impression that the stone ought to be replaced. Professional honing and polishing will restore the factory finish of your natural stone.

Floors and surfaces that look brand new create a positive first impression. If you are selling your home, don’t let your stone and tile become a deal-breaker, and don’t replace your stone and tile! Have it professionally restored.

This is one of a series of articles written and published on behalf of SurpHaces PRO Partners.

How to Remove Cigarette Odor

Cigarettes stink. Although indoor smoking is less common now, you may find yourself in a situation where cigarette odor lingers. Whether you have recently purchased a home where someone smoked inside for years or your are a property owner with tenants who smoked inside, getting rid of the stench, resins, and tars can be quite a chore. Here are some tips.

Ventilation and Purification

Open windows and doors if the outdoor air quality is good. Set up fans, creating an intake and exhaust pattern to move air into and out of the indoor spaces. Use a HEPA air filter and have HVAC system ducts professionally cleaned.

Clean Hard Surfaces

Use a good cleaning solution to wipe down walls, ceilings, baseboards, fans, light fixtures, glass, and any other low- or non-porous surfaces that have come into contact with cigarette smoke. (Note: If you are using a vinegar and water solution for cleaning, be sure not to use it on natural stone, as this may cause etch damage. Always use a stone-safe, pH-neutral cleaner on natural stone.)

Clean Soft Surfaces

Wash laundry-safe items according to manufacturer directions. You may need to wash items several times. Have carpets, rugs, upholstery, window treatments, and other interior textiles professionally cleaned. Do-it-yourself machines will not achieve the same results as professional cleaning and may actually leave your space smelling worse.

Go Hardcore

In cases involving decades of heavy indoor smoking, extreme measures may be necessary. Try getting rid of lampshades, pillows, throw rugs, furniture, window treatments, and other porous items. If the odor persists, replace carpets, add a coat of fresh paint on the walls, and rent an ozone generator.

Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have about removing cigarette smoke odor or to schedule services.

This is one of a series of articles written and published on behalf of SurpHaces PRO Partners.