Removing shluter all set mortar from textured tile

[Helpneeded]

Hi,

I have been reading a lot of helpful posts on this forum and was unable to find one specific to exact situation, so I thought I'd ask and see if any experts can help me.

I had a kitchen floor Tile installed by a tiler recommended by a contractor friend, it's a grey textured porcelain tile 12 x 24
, that was installed over ditra heat with schluter all set mortar. I specifically asked this guy prior to installation if he required sealers etc as I was providing all material so it was at no extra cost to him. Anyway, tile was installed, then grouted days after, the paper was put down covering entire floor while other stuff was going on. When I lift the paper coming close to end of project, there was bad grout haze and a LOT of small spots and smears of thinset on face of tile. The paper was put down by someone else before I could take a look. This was around 2 weeks ago, so I spent several hours yesterday cleaning with Grout haze remover, then rinsing thoroughly with water and drying each section as I went, this removed the vast majority of the Grout haze and some of the thinset, but some spots remain and it'd very noticeably on grey tile. What should be the next step I should try, or should it be a case of replacing the affected tile, I don't trust the guy to not cut through the ditra heat so it will be something I may just tackle myself if need be with a mylar sheet to show the lines.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[cx]

Welcome, Ray.

A photo or two would certainly help.

At a minimum we need to know specifically what grout was used.

You really should have your contractor doing this cleanup. Not sure what the concern would be about the Ditra Heat if he's only cleaning up the tile surface. Anything you do at this point will automatically be the cause for any future problems, regardless how unrelated.

Originally Posted by Ray

..it will be something I may just tackle myself if need be with a mylar sheet to show the lines.

Not sure I understand that at all.

My opinion; worth price charged.

[Helpneeded]

Thanks for the quick reply, I basically am the contractor (and homeowner), basically the tile was the only thing I subbed out just as a time-saver but my faith in this guy's abilities have taken a knock after seeing it, it's something that I am comfortable doing myself rather than him go at it around expensive sprayed cabinetry with different chemicals and risk damaging the Finish of other stuff.

I've attached a picture that shows prior to my Clean up, a lot of this came off but some spots do remain, it seems to be just the thinset now rather than Grout haze. It is Tec power gout that was used, and schluter all set for the thinset as recommended for use with the ditra heat.

The mylar sheet is to show me where the heat lines run IF the answer is removal of tile, again I've seen this guy's approach to work and it seems a little too bullish to trust him cutting out Grout without going through the ditra heat cable.

I had just wondered if anyone else had come across an effective method of removing all set from the face of a textured porcelain tile like this.

Thanks again

[Davy]

All I see is a smudge or two. Maybe there's more that I'm not seeing. You might sharpen a wood dowel like a pencil and poke and rub on it. I would also try a 50/50 mix of water and vinegar and spot treat it. Let the mix dwell on the tile a few minutes, then scrub with a nylon brush and then rinse it with a wet sponge.

[Ben John]

Hello friend, Try a few different cleaning methods and see if you can get rid of the residual thinset, is what I would advise. One method is to dissolve the residue in a solution of water and vinegar or ammonia. A grout and tile cleaner made especially for removing thinset is an additional choice. If none of these fixes work, it could be necessary to replace the broken tile.