The Grout Doctor

Bringing Tile Back to Life

By Linda Sutherland

Let’s talk about grout. We see it every day—in the kitchen, in the bathroom, on our floors—but we almost never give it any thought, much less any attention. One day, though, it happens. You may notice, off-hand, that your tile looks like it has seen better days. Suddenly, dirty grout seems to appear overnight, and your shower looks like

it belongs in the “before” portion of a home improvement show. What can you do? You may try some over-thecounter products that don’t really work and end up searching online for solutions. If you’re lucky, your search will lead you to The Grout Doctor. They can reassure you that your tile is probably fine, that it’s just the grout that needs reviving…and they can get it done!

Frank and Jennifer Allen are local owners of The Grout Doctor in Omaha. They have been in business for 11 years, and they take great pride in the refurbishment that they accomplish in their customers’ homes. Before they got into the grout business, Frank and Jennifer were in the culinary and casino industry. While they enjoyed their work, they didn’t enjoy the non-stop work schedule. Holidays, special occasions, vacations—they worked through them all because that industry takes no holidays and makes no exceptions. Frank and Jennifer had a family, and they didn’t want to miss all the special times in their lives.

They needed to do something that they were good at and that would enable them to spend more time as a family. Frank did his research! He made a thorough investigation into the study of grout restoration and consulted with experts in the field before deciding to establish a business. He concluded that there was a need in Omaha for these services. Soon after, he began building their successful business into what it is today. “No job is too small,” Frank says. “We are proud to offer a unique approach to a practical job by providing honest and uncompromising service.” Frank insists on seeing every prospective job in person to give an appropriate, straightforward estimate to a potential customer. The Grout Doctor’s mission is to restore tile and grout to their original beauty and leave every customer feeling satisfied and content with the outcome. He does not believe in making promises that he can’t keep. If the job is not repairable, he will let you know.

According to Frank, many people don’t know that you should have your grout resealed every 18 to 24 months to keep it in optimum condition. If you don’t have this valuable information, he notes, you are more likely to wait until your grout is in dire straits before seeking help. There’s no need for this! To reduce the chance of mold and mildew growth, make every effort to control the dampness in your tiled rooms. Proper

“We have consistency and quality,” Brian says. “People know that’s what they’ll get, and that’s what keeps them coming back.” ventilation is an important requirement for keeping grout and tile looking pristine and original. Frank also stresses that having your grout cleaned and resealed regularly minimizes staining and keeps the appearance looking new and unspoiled.

Some of the services that The Grout Doctor provides include grout cleaning, sealing, recoloring, recovering, caulking, and repair. Recoloring grout is an interesting process that is a specialty of The Grout Doctor. Frank thoroughly cleans the original grout, dyes it, and then seals it, leaving the look truly transformed. If your bathroom tile looks tired and dirty, you might assume that it all has to be replaced—basically, that you have to tear the whole thing out and start over. Don’t make such a drastic decision without consulting Frank! Recoloring may bring a beautiful new look to your tile at a much lower cost, with less waste of resources and less mess and inconvenience to you and your family. Recoloring can be done when the stains are unable to be cleaned, but the grout is still in good condition. Recoloring is also available when the wrong color grout may have been put in by a contractor, or when you want to restore your grout to its original beauty. Find The Grout Doctor on Facebook to check out the before and after photos for yourself.

At The Grout Doctor, their goal is to provide an exceptionally good outcome when they come into your home. Frank is refreshingly forthcoming with information and has all the talent and experience needed to revitalize and restore your tile, no matter what room it’s in. Give him a call at 402-393-2565 for a free estimate or visit groutdoctor.com for more information about the services The Grout Doctor provides. Let Frank breathe new life into your old tile and grout. It will never look better!