Texas' Red Algae Season and the Story of How a Professional Grout Cleaning Removed All Traces of It.

February 06, 2017

Twice a year every year, during winter and summer, a phenomenon occurs that causes red algae growth to surge. Although most people call it lake inversion, the proper name for this is "lake turnover" and it is caused by changes in the temperature of the water. According to the National Geographic Society's website, shallow lakes experience little turnover, while deep lakes experience major changes as water at different temperatures mix. In Texas, where potable water is a mix of well and lake water in most communities, this has a double unpleasant effect on most communities. When the water is stirred by the changes in temperature, people say that their tap water smells funny or tastes bad, but it has a more prevailing effect on showers, toilets, and sinks. Because it grows in humid environments, it tends to leave red rings on toilets and stains in showers and tubs. Even though the algae is harmless for humans, the stains are extremely difficult to remove and the causing agent is hard to kill.


This Texas resident was a victim of the red algae invasion; their shower's grout lines and tiles started to turn reddish and it was impossible for them to remove the growing stain. That's why they decided to call the services of our Dallas tile cleaning team to fix the problem.

When we reached the place and saw the damage, we knew exactly what we needed to do. To begin, we applied our proprietary tile and grout cleaner and used a high-speed scrubber to remove all the dirt. After that, we used a steam-cleaning machine to remove all the soap scum that algae feed on, preventing it from continuing to grow while bringing back the original look of the tile and grout. After the entire shower was free of all the grime, we applied Sir Grout's ColorSeal, which is our very own grout sealer than helps even out the color of the grout lines while protecting them against stains, water, and mold and mildew. ColorSeal can also block the adhesion of the red algae to the grout surface. Finally, we buffed on Tile Armor over the entire shower. Tile Armor is a clear sealant that further protects tile and grout.


We offered the homeowners advice on how to properly clean the shower to make the most of the job we had just done, telling them that they should always use a pH-neutral, soap-free cleaner and to keep the area well ventilated to avoid creating a damp environment where algae and mold and mildew can thrive; we also explained that they could find some more tips about tile surfaces maintenance in the tile and grout care tips section on our website. The clients were happy to see their shower looking even better than it used to and how the red algae were hopefully gone for good!

If you're in the Dallas-Fort Worth hub and your shower is experiencing the consequences of algae season, give us a call at (972) 457-3116 or fill out the "Request a Quote" form on this page to set up a date for a free evaluation.

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