View Full Version : Cleaning grout from tiles that have been sealed
janelope
06-28-2008, 09:13 AM
Hi everyone. We had some tile installed in our bathroom and we had a guy do it who supposedly had experience laying tile. The tile is not smooth and he did not get all the grout out of the cracks. He then sealed the tile and now we have no idea how to get the grout out of the tile. The tile is Del Conca Rialto Beige Porcelain from Lowes. Also, we had him use an off white grout but now decided we would prefer white. Does anyone have any ideas of how to first get the grout out of the cracks, and also if we can change the color of the grout between the tiles? Thanks!
Davestone
06-28-2008, 02:20 PM
Here's what needs to be done.Typically you would use a sealer stripper to get off the sealer(you don't seal over porcelains and ceramics as they won't absorb it, it just sits on top and turns hazy).Then do a sulfamic acid cleaning .with an acid brush to get the grout off,might have to do this twice.Then get a product called Grout Colorant,I.A.F. makes one and paint each grout joint with it,read instructions on bottle,you won't need a sealer again with this product, it's an epoxy.
Trask
06-28-2008, 04:11 PM
Check references on anyone you hire to do this...They can really mess stuff up with chemicals...Take one of the more expensive bids and check his referals ect...It'll be cheaper by far in the long run :) Good luck.
janelope
06-28-2008, 05:33 PM
Thanks!
tileguytodd
06-28-2008, 07:26 PM
If it makes you feel any better, last year I gave a bid of 11,000 to do a Bathroom and Rec room with a custom Handicap shower...........She had a guy do it for about 1/2 what I told her, A guy who supposedly had some experience doing Tilework.
Her bank told her they would default on her Building loan because of the poor workmanship unless it was repaired.
It cost her 16,000.00 for me to come Tear it ALL out, Fix ALL the concrete & REDO the entire job.
My Original Bid & What it Actually SHOULD have cost..... 11,000
Her inexpensive hack job..........5,500
Repairing the Hack Job...........16,000
Her final cost.......................21,500
Seeing her :cry: as she Wrote that 16,000.00 CHECK.....PRICELESS!!!!
Just goes to show you, It can ALWAYS Get WORSE ;)
vBulletin® v3.7.4, Copyright ©2000-2009, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.