limestone haze

[mark keasler]

Looking for help. we have just installed limestone tile on a covered porch. Tile was layed with thinset and allowed to cure 2 days. Grouting was started using bonsal superior sanded tile grout antgique white. The tile was not sealed before laying but was sealed with tile lab penetrating sealer before grouting. After grouting we have a white haze around the grout lines . This really robs the stone of it's color and beauty. The house is right on the water in the bahamas, the stone is ligt tan, to off white with coral and shell fragments visible. I was told it came from the phillipines. There are very few resources here in Cat Island. No home depot, or even a hardware store, everything has to be shipped over. I have put the project on hold . Tile place in Florida told me we should have sealed tile before laying. Not much help now . I was also told to put more sealer on using a brush to get into grot spaces. Did that but have not stated to grout yet. the job is 20% done . What can we do to remove the haze, and prevent it from happening on the rest of the porch . Thanks :bow:

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[Davestone]

Maybe nothing,there have been a lot of complaints lately about the darkening of limestones.The stone probably sucked in moisture and pigment from the grout and may dry out may not, i wouldn't seal yet i would let it dry a couple days,and hope for the best.I always seal limestone before i use it cause it stains,and it's soft,but if you seal the sides -too- much you run the risk of grout releasing and cracking.Only if you just grouted the joint and didn't smear it is it probably haze,which you could clean a small area and inspect.Maybe a fan and thicker grout and grouting without a wet sponge may help.

[mark keasler]

Davestone, Thanks for the prompt reply. I WILL TRY THE DRIER METHOD ON A SMALL AREA, any chance one of the haze removers or acid products could help?. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge. Mark

[doitright]

Hi Mark :)

Most haze removers contain acid. Any acid (depending on the dilution) will change the floor surface (limestone) texture/sheen. If an acidic product is used, you may also have to rehone (or use a honing powder) your floor.

Anything you decide to do, test a small area 1st. :)

I had a limestone floor change color on me with the setting material only, and never turned back to original color. Had to tear out the floor. :eek: :(

[John Bridge]

Hi Mark, :)

As the others indicate, I would leave it a few more days. Won't hurt anything. Then I might try a half and half mix of white vinegar and water on a small are out of the way. I would rinse it thoroughly with clean water to get all the venigar off and let it dry. Unless your limstone is highly honed, which is unlikely, the vinegar, if used judicioulsy, won't change the surface visibly. :)

[mark keasler]

Thanks and salutations to all for helping the gropping amatuers with thier blunders. I will leave the limestone for a couple days, it's rainy anyway. I tried the vinegar, no real change. Hosed it off throughly. What about pressure washing. We use it on the limestone rock walls, I know you can carve your name in the rock with the wrong tip, or to much pressure. Worse case is to finish grouting dry as possible, and live with it. Ripping up floor is not an option. Thanks again. Mark p.s. if any of you guys ever come down to the islands let me know. You have earned discounts at our resort. check website www.fernandezbayvillage.com

[John Bridge]

Mark, let's talk. :D Maybe we get up a delegation to come down and straighten up your tile and stone work. :D

[Steven Hauser]

Hi Mark,

Yeah, what John said. I am a tile and stone guy after all, :D :yeah:

[Rock polisher]

If this is a honed limestone you can use a buffer and a 200 grit screen should remove it. keep in mind if you have any kickers it will knock the down and square the edge off. depending how big they are it may or may not be an issue.