DYI Blotchy Grout Issue (With PICTURE)

[BAreEhD]

Hi all,

I've been reading through your forums for a while now, in preparing for my first tile/grout job in my home.

Everything has gone relatively well, with one exception last night. My wife and I were grouting our porch. Per the instructions on the bag, we applied the grout, and allowed time for it to settle, then began wiping it with a wet sponge. That was cool.

The trouble started when we went back to look at it a short time later and noticed that there was too much grout in some areas, and we really wanted to get it down so it would be nice and level. Of course at this point it was starting to cure so we had to scrape it away with some elbow grease. We used the only instrument that we had on hand that we thought would get the job done without scratching the porcelain - a wooden paint stir stick.

We got it all nice and level and went to bed. When we rose this morning, we notice that the grout is discoloured in the areas where we were trying to reduce the grout - I guess it's like if you scratch a rock with another rock, you'll see a lighter tone coming through. Here's a pic (look especially at the verticle line, toward the top):

EDIT - Can't post the pic - I've uploaded it to photobucket, can someone please post it for me? I can PM you the link.

Does anyone have any advice on how we should even this out? I was thinking about geting a grout removal brush and having a go at it, but I don't know if this is a good idea or not? Should I buy some grout stain and do it that way?

Thanks in advance for your replies!!

Brad

[cx]

Welcome, Brad.

Make a couple more dummy posts and then you'll be able to post your link (anti-spam device in place). Better still, if you have the photos stored on your computer you can insert them using the Manage Attachments button below the Reply dialog box.

[BAreEhD]

Thanks, CX... I'm having a hard time getting the picture down to 50kb to attach.

Made it smaller, but hopefully you'll get the idea!

[ceramictec]

usually what happens after you work the grout with a sponge and final wash you leave the joint nice and smooth. when you then try to fix a spot with your finger or anything else you make the sand particles rougher which makes a change in texture & color.

kind of like smoothing a carpet all one way then sliding you hand back the other way. looks darker, etc.

but the grout then drys that way.

[BAreEhD]

Thanks, ceramictec! Do you (or anyone else) have any advice on how I can fix this?

Thanks!

[BAreEhD]

[Mike2]

Is this porch outside, exposed to the weather? If not, a grout colorant could be used. Aqua Mix makes a good one. http://www.aquamix.com/products/pg_d...5042&pgid=8374

[BAreEhD]

Thanks Mike, it's an indoor porch.

I've been reading through some old posts - should I apply vinegar and water to the grout line with a tooth brush? Will that even it out?

Maybe I should just buy the colorant - my worry there is that I'm not sure where I can buy it locally (Alberta, Canada).

[Mike2]

The vinegar trick would be a real long shot but... it's too simple not to try.

White vinegar, mixed 50:50 with water (although straight can be used if necessary). Apply to a discolored area in an inconspicuous area. Let that dwell for 5 minutes or so, then brush. Rinse well with clean water afterwards, let dry and hope for the best.

Since your porch is inside, definitely consider grout colorant an option. Do a search here on colorant. You'll get hundreds of hits.

[ceramictec]

I would try the vinegar wash and scrub the area. you might loosen up that area and make it all uniform again.

if that fails try StoneTech Pro - Restore. its a self neutralizing cleaner that will remove a small layer of grout.

[Mike2]

I'm not sure if Aqua Mix is available in Canada. But here's what I'd like you to do. Give Ames Tile and Stone a call. They are headquartered out here on the Left Coast but do have a nice store in Calgary. Great company for tile stuff. Ask about Aqua Mix, or another brand of colorant they might carry.

Ames Tile and Stone Ltd
3405 - 9th Street SE,
Calgary, AB T2G 3C1

Telephone: (403) 243-0434
Toll Free: 1-800-379-9502

http://www.amestile.com/index.asp

[BAreEhD]

Since this was just installed last night (~12 hrs ago), how long should I wait before I try any of these remedies?

[BAreEhD]

Thanks, Mike! That's actually where I bought my tiles! I'll give them a shout

[ceramictec]

sooner the better

[Mike2]

I've used vinegar mixed 50:50 with water the next day with no problems. I would wait a couple more days before trying anything stronger. Acid can "burn" fresh grout. And as always, test in an inconspicuous area first.

When using an acid based cleaner, after rinsing, neutralizing with some ammonia and water (1 part ammonia to 2 parts water) is a good idea.