Grout Haze

[Rob Z]

Hey guys

What products are you all using to clean grout haze resiues? Aqua Mix makes something that you can mix in the water at final cleanup. I haven't used it yet, thinking that it must somehow monkey with the curing grout.

I like to use bonsals grout haze cleaner the next day or so. It's not too harsh, and smells nice, too.

Suggestions?

Rob

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[Bud Cline]

White vinegar!!!! Cheap/works. :D

[kalford]

Yea and if you got some left over you can clean their windows with it.Drink the rest it cures all kinds of ailments.

[John Bridge]

Hey Rob,

In some parts of the country we can't get Bonsal products except by mail order. What does Aqua-mix call its stuff?

Oh, and I used Laticrete thin set today for the first time in years. I like their bags -- seem to be water resistant. I'm using the multi-purpose. Forget the number.

[LDavis]

Rob, et al
I have occasionally used the product your talking about. I think they simply call it Grout Haze cleanup. If you use in the the "final rinse" water, I think your still supposed to rinse one more time to ensure you have removed all of this product from the grout surface as well. Thats too many rinses for me.

I will tell you how I have used it with a minimum of water. I fill a spray bottle with a very dilute mix of this product and water and then spray this on the terry cloth cover that goes on one of those "O Cedar" laminate and wood floor dusting mops. After the grout has firmed up adequately, I buff the tiles with this. It also allows me to get off my knees for awhile and doesn't expose the grout joints to another dose of water.

[Bri]

Our sparkling fresh clear cold Canadian water doesn't leave any grout haze....maybe you need a new sponge?

[Rob Z]

John

laticrete 253? it's a great thinset.

The Aqua Mix stuff-simply "grout haze remover". I think some of my problems come from using Laticrete's 1776 grout additive at full strength. The latex in that stuff is super rich, and it sticks to everything. Good final product, though.


Bud

Vinegar? HMMM... Plus I can make salad dressing.


Rob

[Bud Cline]

White vinegar!!!! Cheap/safe/works. You can also use it to clean all the mineral deposits (white stuff) from around a customers chrome fixtures. They get really excited when you do that for them. :D

[Derek & Jacqui]

Either we are very lucky or something, but we don't get grout haze. We use the grout wash bucket (the one with rollers) and would recommend it to all. The bucket system is not cheap, but saves so much time that it pays for itself.
Hope this bit of information helps.

[John Bridge]

Please tell me more about this roller system. Is there a site somewhere, or maybe a brand name?

[kalford]

John,
There are several companies that make the grout cleaning system with the wash tub on casters and a generous sized sponge which comes with a reusable handle.The Barwalt Ultra Grouting System is the one that Derek/Jaqui uses.I have a similar one made by another company.They have a grate in the tub so you can wet the sponge without filling it with grout from the bottom of the tub,swivel casters and rollers,2 or 3,to ring the water from the sponge.The sponges are 13 1/2" long by 5 1/4" wide and clean in one pass.Saves a lot of time and reduces grout haze tremendously.Go to, http://www.contractorsdirect.com to see one.

[John Bridge]

Okay, I just ordered the Barwalt Ultra mop bucket. Now someone please tell me where it's going to ride on the back of my truck. Have you seen the back of my truck? Oh well.

[kalford]

John,
If you get their catalog look on page 38.The Pedalo Grout Cleaning System comes with a foot operated ringer and an aluminum pole with a 5" x 17" and the hand-grip. Expensive at $249.00 but might be a backsaver.

[Derek & Jacqui]

We started off with tools in the back of our truck and have had to go to a cargo van. What will we have to buy next?
Thank you Keith for answering the bucket question - saved a trip to the van to find out what system we have.

John.
We make our own sponges to use with this system; we find that the sponge used in car seats is one of the best sponges you can use. Just use the old holder and silicone a piece of sponge to it. This way you can have more than one sponge going at a time (sometimes we grout/wash in tandem).
Hope you enjoy your new 'toy'.

[John Bridge]

Oh boy, oh boy! It's just like joining a new club! I can't wait to get the thing!

[kalford]

Another great thing about it is that if the need arises to do a second "wiping", with this system you can still be done faster than one washing would take with the ol sponge/bucket and have a cleaner floor.

You're welcome D&J. Hey where were you guys when I was getting scalped over the mastic thang!?LOL

[Derek & Jacqui]

Keith,
Did what you suggested - went to bed!!!

Just to clarify the situation - yes, we do use mastic under hardibacker and then secure with nails. This is not to level the floor, just to secure the hardibacker. This is way our contractor demands we do it, so this is how we do it on their jobs. Obviously there are different trains of thought on this subject, my thought is that if you wish to strengthen the existing floor it should all end up as one floor - not seperate floors. We have only been using this method for a couple of years and would not suggest that we are right, but agree with John (don't get nervous) that it needs to be a solid floor. Another tile contractor we worked for only nails the hardibacker straight over vinyl, etc. Our method works for us, so far. No problems, so far.
OK, Keith?

[Edited by Derek & Jacqui on 06-11-2001 at 11:04 PM]

[kalford]

O.K.

There are Three companies that manufacture backerboard that advocate using latex-modified thinset or adhesive to,BOND,ADHERE,LAMINATE the backer to the floor/plywood.
USG(DUROCK),Hardibacker and PermaBase.
Each company gives detailed instructions on the installation of their product in various situations and they are explicit about bonding their product to the floor both with adhesive and mechanically.