Southlake’s housing arrived in one concentrated wave. The city had 7,065 residents in 1990 and 21,519 in 2000, roughly tripling in ten years, and reached 31,265 by 2020. That means much of Southlake’s tile has now been down for 25 to 30 years. It has worn in, been regrouted in places, and dealt with hard water the whole time. Its commercial heart is younger: Southlake Town Square opened in March 1999, and the city hall, library and blocks of shops and restaurants there have taken steady foot traffic ever since.
The short answer: most Southlake homes should have tile and grout professionally cleaned every 12 to 18 months. For floors from the 1990s, that cleaning should include checking the grout for cracks and missing seal. Natural stone such as travertine needs a stone-safe, pH-neutral process instead of the acidic cleaners that work on ceramic.
Key Takeaways
- Southlake buys all of its water from the Fort Worth Water Department, which draws from Lake Worth, Eagle Mountain Lake, Lake Bridgeport, Richland Chambers, Cedar Creek and the Clear Fork of the Trinity through Lake Benbrook.
- Reported hardness runs roughly 76 to 175 ppm, a median of about 7.5 grains per gallon, which counts as hard water.
- Population went from 7,065 in 1990 to 21,519 in 2000, so a large share of the city’s tile is 25 to 30 years old.
- Southlake Town Square opened in March 1999 (Phase II followed in 2006) and is the city’s main high-traffic commercial tile zone.
- Many luxury homes pair ceramic and porcelain with natural stone, which needs different cleaning chemistry.
Six Water Sources, One Hard-Water Result
Southlake does not treat its own water. Everything comes from Fort Worth, which blends supply from reservoirs to the west and east plus the Clear Fork of the Trinity. That blend shifts through the year, and reported hardness ranges from about 76 to 175 ppm. Either way it is hard enough to leave a visible film on shower glass, tub surrounds and grout lines. On glazed ceramic the film wipes off. On unsealed grout and porous stone it soaks in, and the joints slowly go from their original color to gray. Descaling followed by a penetrating sealer is what stops that cycle.
Tile at 25 to 30 Years: When Cleaning Turns Into Maintenance
Tile installed during Southlake’s 1990s surge is at an age where cleaning alone is not always enough. The cement grout in those kitchens, entries and bathrooms has spent decades absorbing spills and hard-water minerals. In high-traffic lanes it has often worn below the tile edge or cracked hairline-thin at doorways and transitions. A professional visit on older floors should include an inspection. Joints that are sound can be deep-cleaned and sealed. Cracked or eroded sections are better spot-repaired or recaulked (at shower changes of plane) before sealing, because sealer will not bridge a gap. Homes where the original stone or tile was paired with newer remodels need each surface treated for what it is.
Town Square: A Quarter Century of Commercial Foot Traffic
Southlake Town Square was proposed to the city by Cooper & Stebbins in 1996 and opened in March 1999, with a second phase in 2006. It brought together Town Hall, the public library, a post office, and blocks of retail and dining with offices above. Restaurant kitchens, dining rooms and shop entries there see some of the heaviest foot traffic in northeast Tarrant County, especially on weekends and during holiday events. Commercial tile in settings like this does best on a quarterly clean-and-seal cycle, with kitchen grout treated for grease as well as soil.
Professional Tile & Grout Cleaning
Truck-mounted hot-water extraction, stone-safe cleaning for travertine and marble, grout inspection, and sealing. Upfront pricing, free estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does Southlake’s water come from?
Southlake buys all of its water from the Fort Worth Water Department, which draws from Lake Worth, Eagle Mountain Lake, Lake Bridgeport, Richland Chambers, Cedar Creek and the Clear Fork of the Trinity through Lake Benbrook. Reported hardness runs roughly 76 to 175 ppm.
My Southlake home was built in the 1990s. Does the grout need replacing?
Often not. Most grout that age can be deep-cleaned and sealed. Only sections that are cracked, crumbling or worn well below the tile edge usually need spot repair before sealing.
Can travertine and ceramic in the same house be cleaned the same way?
No. Ceramic and porcelain tolerate stronger cleaners. Travertine, marble and other calcium-based stone need pH-neutral, stone-safe products to avoid etching.
How often should Southlake homes have tile and grout cleaned?
Every 12 to 18 months is a good baseline for homes, with sealing afterward. Busy commercial spaces around Town Square generally need a quarterly schedule.
Ultra Clean is IICRC-certified and has served the Southlake and Dallas–Fort Worth area since 2013. Our methods follow the standards set by the IICRC.
