Black grout stain with crackled tile

[danb2]

I just had a crackled ceramic tile installed in one of my bathrooms with black grout and the black grout appears to have seeped into the crackling. What can I do to remove this? I tried a phosophoric acid cleaner on one tile without success and the tile distributor suggested poultice but I REALLY need professional advice here. I have another bathroom and kitchen that I am doing in the same combination and don't want to do anything else until I know this can be resolved. THANKS in advance for any suggestions.

[Sponsored Links]

[doitright]

Hi Dan, Welcome! :)

Have you tried vinegar and water? :shades:

The black dye may have seeped into the bisque of the tile, and may have stained it. Can you post a picture?

If you choose not to change your grout color, you may want to try using a grout release on your tile prior to grouting. TEST 1st! :nod:

[Shaughnn]

Dan,
Crazed (crackle glazed) tile ALWAYS needs to have a topical sealer applied before grouting. Even in cases of white tile with white grout, the pigment from the grout will penetrate the crazing and stain the tile body. I don't think that there is anything that you can do for the tile that's already stained. You might try contacting the tile manufacturer as they will have heard it all before and may have some magic bullet. If they do, please share it here because I know I'm always worried about it happening when I install crazed tile and would like some hope of a remedy also.
For the tile that hasn't been grouted/stained yet, you will need to apply a sealer to the surface of the tile. Apply it with a towel dampened with the sealer and try not to get any into the joints. Make sure to polish the surface well to prevent streaking and you may need to apply two coats. This will seal the crackle enough to prevent pigment from staining the tile. Seal the entire installation once it's all grouted and dry.
Best of luck,
Shaughnn
PS: If your installer also grouted this installation, then replacement of the ruin tile is his/her responsibility. Every case of crazed tile that I've opened has had a care and warning sheet included and all of those have explained why pre-sealing is required.

[danb2]

i will try to get a picture to show you but will try vinegar and water. I will definitely seal and test before the next rooms are done but I'm shocked that the guy who did the grout wasn't aware of this. When they were doing it they kept saying 'don't worry that will come out'. I have a specialist coming to look at it but will try the vinegar.

Thanks for the advice and keep it coming!

[Shaughnn]

Dan,
Crazed tile isn't a common material and many very good installers have never used it. Like everything else, familiarity builds confidence. Unfortunately in your case, your installer thought that this glaze was like every other. He'll know better in the future if you help him to realize his mistakes now. We grow by our mistakes and our successes give us the fortitude to weather those failures.
Please share with us what your expert has to say?
Best of luck,
Shaughnn

[Steven Hauser]

Crazed tile lets the grout into the bisque. It probably dispersed. I dunno that an acid wash is what will clean it.

I'd try hydrogen peroxide the beauty supply 30 volume stuff. Then an ammonia and water wash followed by several coats of an impreganating sealer.

Now, I think this is a lose lose proposition. A shower is a terrible place for crackle tile.

Sorry

[danb2]

I WISH someone would have told me not to use the crackle in the shower. BUT I have it there now so I'm stuck. It sounds like I need to put a sealer on them before using (one of the showers has not been grouted so I am going to seal first, then grout, then seal again). Are there products that you recommend for the preseal of the crackle and then a sealer after I grout?? THANK YOU GUYS FOR YOUR HELP IN THIS>>>IT IS INVALUABLE!

[Shaughnn]

Hi Dan,
Crazed tile just takes a bit more maintainance, but it's still okay for showers so don't sweat it too much. You will need to re-seal the shower about every 4 to six months (depending on the traffic). Clean the tile very well with a pH-balanced cleaner for tile, let it dry very well, and re-seal. You will honestly be surprised at how easy sealing the tile can be.
I suggest that you go to the retailer who sold you the tile and , after making a little stink about them not warning you about the hazzards of crazed tile, ask them for a sealer recommendation. They should be appologetic, but the world is not always as it should be. If they feign ignorance, you can't loose with the Stone-Tech products that are for sale through the Tail Your World store.
Best of luck,
Shaughnn

[danb2]

THANK YOU ALL for help on this. I tried the vinegar and water, a grout cleaner, and a phosporic acid cleaner and none worked the way I had expected, but I also didn't sit there and scrub all day.

My contractor had someone come in and they used a muriatic acid wash (using a big sponge and really saturating the tile) on the tile which seemed to help immensely I'm happy to say. It did stay in some of the crackle but since I am going for an antique look this was fine with me. I have two other rooms to do and going to try the same combinantion but will be sealing and testing the tile first so will report back with results.

Just wanted you all to know that I am SO glad I stumbled on this site. You have all been really responsive.

[Davestone]

Also, Stevens peroxide may give the final bleaching you're looking for. :bow: :)