Just Sealed Grout - Efflouresced - Clean Now or after sealer cures

[CCourtney]

Title says most of it.

I went 56hrs before putting it on. We had acid washed the floor about 36 hrs previous w/ Sulfamic acid.

I used StoneTech Heavy Duty Sealer on it (Polyblend sanded grout) and as soon as it started to dry to the point you wipe the excess off (10-15 mins) it was starting to efflouresce. Now 1hr later all the grout has efflouresced.

That's been about 1hr. Should I wait for the full 6 hr cure time before cleaning with Sulfamic Acid or should I do it now?

Also, will I need to re-seal this later?

Thanks
CCourtney

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[CCourtney]

Well I decided to go ahead and acid wash it. It took a bit of scrubbing in the grout lines but I think I got about 99% of the efflorescence off the grout lines. We'll see if it stays off after it dries.

I'd still like thoughts/opinions about re-sealing it in another day or two.

CCourtney

[cx]

I'm not a real tile chemicals expert, Courtney, but I don't think what you're seeing has to do with efflorescence, but we'll let the experts deal with that issue for you.

The directions on your product require that you wait a minimum of 72 hours after grouting before application. That could be one of the problems.

Actual cure time for the sealer is 24 - 72 hours. That could also be a part of the problem.

Maybe leave it alone until one of our sealing gurus gives you some direction. I'll see can I locate you one. :)

My opinion; worth price charged.

[GeorgeT]

This does not sound like efflorescence.

If the acid was not neutralized and is still present in the grout it will cause a reaction with the sealer. Sealer will not penetrate properly and the acid could cause the actives to fall out of suspension. That might be the white residue.

Rinse with many changes of fresh water using a vacuum to remove. This will flush out any remaining acid residues.

A neutralizing rinse using an alkaline such as ammonia diluted in water would be a good idea also.

Let everything dry throughly and attempt the sealer again.

You may also want to switch to a solvent sealer as you would have less reactive issues with traces of acids. Our solvent sealer is called Impregnator Pro.

[CCourtney]

Thanks, in retrospect - this seems to be the issue.

I could see crystals on the floor after the attempt to clean w/ Sulfamic acid and I used a wet rag to clean a bit up. Sniffed the rag and it was definitely Sulfamic acid crystals.

I've been mopping and re-mopping for a while and each time the left over crystal residue is disappearing.

I'll go ahead and wet it down and shop vac as well.

Thanks
CCourtney

[CCourtney]

George,

Another question. Would this also affect StoneTech Enhancer Pro? I've got two bathrooms we put Travertine in and I plan on using Enhancer Pro on it after the grout cures.

I definitely be doing some mopping in there to try to remove in leftover Sulfamic acid.

CCourtney

[GeorgeT]

Absolutely.

Acids produce a different reaction from the Enhancer Pro but still not a desired result.

Remove, rinse and neutralize the sulfamic acid after use.
Lots of water is key to rinsing it out.

Very dry material is important for best results with Enhancer Pro...it does not like water.

Acids will etch open the travertine ... be careful of changing the way your stone looks!

[CCourtney]

Well I kept rinsing until there was absolutely no sulfur smell detectible. I let it dry and did test patches - which I let dry for 24hrs.

All looks good to go for enhancing the travertine.

CCourtney

[SABoyt]

As George mentioned, be careful using the acid on the travertine!!!!!! Almost all travertine is acid sensitive. Acid will cause an etching on the top of the stone and if not controlled very well, will leave the surface with a pitted look and may also change the color of the tile randomly. If it's polished travertine, don't even get the acid out. Acid will etch the shine right off the tile and it will need to be repolished.

[GraniteGirl]

Almost all travertine is acid sensitive

Make that ALL travertine. A major component of travertine is calcite - calcium - which is what reacts to acids, causing etches.

Acids are used to produce some really funky finishes on travertine, from hones to a really nice finish that looks like it is tumbled, but has a smooth, almost shiny finish.

Just slopping travertine with acid in the hopes of achieving a uniform finish is not a great plan, though :D

[SABoyt]

The point of the post is TEST it! If i had said ALL travertine is acid sensitive someone would have come back and said that they ran into an Iranian travertine that was mined from the outer edges of the mine field and it was not reactive to sulfamic acid only oxalic acid. LOL So for this reason i said MOST, but then i got scolded for that. :bang: :talk:

I"m just kidding ya but you know how things go on the boards

[ccarlisle]

Yup! One absolute truth is there is no 'definitive' answers on stone. And since no-one knows all travertine, who can say it always reacts in such a fashion? A very, very, good probability I agree, but still...