Question before sealing...

[yunko304@comcast.net]

Just completed a shower project and had a little extra grout line cleanup. Using white vinegar, a few screwdrivers and a brass brush, I was able to get everything to where I liked the install. My question is...Do I need to "neutralize" the acid in the grout from the vinegar or can I seal it as is. I used it full strength and the grout was done on Sunday.

Used Mapei ultracolor sanded grout on 2 ich tile throughout and planning to use Aquamix Sealer's Choice Gold. Any Advice?

Thanks,

Yunko

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[Bill Vincent]

It SHOULD'VE been neutralized IMMEDIATELY after washing. That can cause bigtime deterioration of the grout joints, leaving the vinegar on there!!

[Tool Guy - Kg]

Welcome Yunko,
I think the gurus in the Cleaning, Restoration, and Sealing Forum are gonna tell you to nuetralize it with some water and ammonia. Then they might scold you a little bit for getting full strength vinegar on fresh grout. If I'm full of it, they'll sure to let you know. I'm moving you over for some advice you can count on. :)



EDIT: Whoops. I said I was moving you over to this forum to get some advice you could count on, not realizing that Bill had posted at the same time I did. You can surely trust Bill's advice. He knows his stuff. http://freewebby.com/Action%20Smilies/approval.gif No harm intended. :)

[Steven Hauser]

Hi Yunko,

Well I want you to scrape the grout with your finger nail first and tell me is it crumbly? The top layer may be compromised. I would like for you to get a stiff bristled nylon brush and remove any of the grout that may have deteriorated.

From there, if everything looks OK, I want you to wash the installation with a solution of 1/3 ammonia and 2/3 water.

Your grout will be neutralized after this.

You may need to wash the installation with plain water for a week or so. The plan is to aid hydration if possible. You use lots of water and then wipe dry.

After you do this for a week or two, I'd suggest the grout sealer that Stone Tech sells. You can purchase it from our online store.

:)

BTW Kurt wasn't wrong. ;)

[doitright]

Hi Yunko, Welcome! :)

Everything that the guys already mentioned. One thing in your favor is the fact that you used Mapei UltraColor. This grout cures very rapidly (approx. 7x faster than cement grouts).

[Bill Vincent]

This grout cures very rapidly (approx. 7x faster than cement grouts).

Amen to that!! The first time I used it, I thought it was hydraulic!! I ended up losing about a 1/2 pail!! (got talking to the homeowner, not even thinking that the grout would go off!)

[yunko304@comcast.net]

Well guys, I appreciate all the advice ....I didn't have any ammonia handy and Bill Vincent scared the H*ll out of me when he said I should have neutralized immediately. So I found a post that said baking soda wash would work and I used that. Everything seems fine. If I try to scratch it with my fingernail, My finger hurts so I guess it's as hard as a rock now! (bad joke) The mapei ultracolor seemed to set a lot faster on the mud floor that on the hardibacker walls and almost got away from me. Put a coat of aquamix gold on it tonite so I guess I'll find out if I got my money's worth. It's not cheap! When I put my fixtures back on what is the best way to seal around the shower and faucet escutcheons?

[doitright]

Hi Yunko :)

The shower valve escutheon usually has a foam ring attached, which is usually sufficient. The shower head escutheon is ok as is (except steam showers.

If you have body sprayers, volume controls, hand held showers, or diverters, if they don't already some type of rubber seal or gasket, you can use a small bead of silicone behind or around the plate.

[yunko304@comcast.net]

The foam ring for the shower valve escutcheon was destroyed when I removed it for the remodel. It seems to me thats the cleanest way to seal it. Is there replacement foam for this purpose? I'd rather try that than using the silicone. Checked the box stores for a replacement escutcheon but it's an older Kohler and they don't stock replacements for it.
Appreciate all the feedback guys. Thanks

[Davestone]

Usually that ring is just cheap foam, a piece of backer rod, or weather stripping would probably work,or buy a cheap shower valve and take the one off there.