Slate & grout DISASTER please help!!!

[k&b]

Hi, my husband and I wanted to lay some slate (small squares on a 12x12 backing) on the area above our fireplace, everything was going well until he started to grout it, using
black, non sanded grout. I guess there was a misunderstanding, or some
confusion, but we did not wipe off the grout as we went along, and as you can imagine, its a pretty bad situation. We have managed to scrape/scrub /sand off some of it, we can see tile, its going to have a very 'rustic' look. I've read that people use vinegar but will that help us with these 'caked' on layers?
we have resorted to scraping it off with a scraper, but the tiles are getting damaged, we will have to make it part of this 'new look' we are going to have.
ANY ADVICE WOULD BE GREAT...ADVICE OR SYMPATHY :)
Thanks very much...glad I found this forum.

[Sponsored Links]

[kurgon]

Try vinegar/water 50/50 mixture and a white nylon doodle bugg with a lot of elbow grease. If that doesnt work.. answer the question below.

how long ago was this project grouted?

[k&b]

What is a white nylon doodle bug, I'll try that mixture tomorrow...
this was grouted on thursday. Should I let it sit?

[kurgon]

No you should not let it sit. The sooner the better. Grout/Thin-set/Cement all get harder/stronger the longer they sit.

http://www.ctmop.com/images/8440_3m.jpg

Its basically a large scrub pad made of nylon. It will not scratch your slate.. the reason i recommend it to you. Slate is a very soft stone and scratches very easily.

[Davestone]

Depending on the amount of grout sitting on the tiles the white pad may not be aggressive enough,you may need a brown or red pad from a janitor supply.You could also use a stronger acidic solution if needed,since it's slate.You need to be careful of getting it on oter things though,like metal, and use gloves.Problem with vertical jobs is the solution can't sit on it like a floor, so you need to reapply it with a sponge.Luckily it's unsanded grout, although i wonder if it was the right choice, are your joints small like 1/8"?

[k&b]

the spaces are small yes...
we tried the 50/50 vinger, helps with scrubbing, but to be honest I have to use a wired brush, its scratching, but really , there's no other way, its horrible.
My husband has started to chisel off some of the thicker stuff. its going to have a very rustic old worn look, because by then ofcourse, its going to be worn!!!!
any other magical suggestions?

[GraniteGirl]

How big is the tiled area and what is your time worth?

Would it not be cheaper to rip out & replace the tile (and do a proper job this time around) than to sand and scrape and cuss and then sand and scrape and scrub some more and still end up with a job that looks worse for wear?

If it is not a big area, I would chalk this experience up as school fees and redo.

But that's just me.

[k&b]

yes, I had suggested that, but....
my other half feels its worth trying to save,
blah
so frustrating, we are making good progress today... chiseling off the grout deposits, and me scrubbing with vinegar, and then going to try to sand off any final crappy bits.
when all is said and done, i'll post a picture...lol

[k&b]

This is a bizzare question, but can we sand down with a very coarse electric sander, the excess grout? I UNDERSTAND this might damage the slate...
its small squares on a 12x12 grid. my question is...is this dangerous?
if we wear masks will this be okay? even after chipping and scrubbing away
I noticed black junk when I blew my nose (sorry yuck!) oh, the non sanded grout we used is charcoal colour. Just don't want any bad chemicals flying around in the air.

thanks

[kurgon]

If this thread relates to the other one you started, we ask that you keep them together so we can have a history of whats been going on with your project. Plus it confuses us!

I guess you could sand it off.. anything is possible.. I would not recommend it. :)

[k&b]

copy that.
We have decided to use vinegar and just scrub with whatever we have left in us. *shakes head* I am almost positive this could be the worse case of a grouting disaster known to most people. I'll keep my posts together..
thanks:)

[kurgon]

I can't see how its possible you're not getting this unsanded grout off with vinegar and scrub pads.. put some elbow grease into it! Nothing screams hard work like a messed up tile project :)

[k&b]

you can't see how its not coming off???!!!! THIS IS THE GOLIATH OF DISASTERS!!! :) I scrub and scrub, and then the wall turns black and grey so I figure its finally off, I give it a good wipe and BAM its still there, see, its layers that are peeling off slowly with the scrubbing..but its just so hard..and so upsetting :( grrrr
we will sleep and scrub more tomorrow, at least i'll have stronger arms and abs i guess, when its done!

[MudGuy]

I can't see how its possible you're not getting this unsanded grout off with vinegar and scrub pads.. put some elbow grease into it!
OP is scraping and chiseling with little success…and you’re still recommending elbow grease and a scrub pad? :uhh:

K&B, I’m with Adriana. A non-sanded grout will stick tenaciously into the crevices and rough surface of a slate more so than sanded grout. Next go-around, use a good penetrating sealer and a sanded grout. The sealer will allow more working time during grout and clean-up and minimize haze and discoloration of the slate.

[k&b]

we have purchased a mild acid solution which seems to have done most of the trick. we are leaving some of the grout which looks almost marbled...which is okay, goes with the fireplace look we wanted. Now we are trying to rinse everything off and just wondering how to get rid of the haze?
I guess haze remover?
any tips for rinsing this wall?

[GraniteGirl]

:bang:

[Davestone]

:bow: Here's the deal, any acid washing should have removed the haze, if it removed the baked on grout.What you have now is scratched damaged stone,the wire brush probably did it. I would look into using an enhancing sealer to blend in the sratches.

[k&b]

hello there,
yes, the haze must be some scratched tile, but it looks pretty good now.
We are going to use an enhancing sealer and finally be happy that this is over!!!
thanks for all the help :)
and YES, WE'VE LEARNED FROM THIS!!!!!

[Davestone]

Well, that's what it's all about. :bow:

[JTG]

pictures pictures

[Blakelpd5]

agreed, and enhancer/sealer will make scratched slate look a lot better... Pics?