White Haze on tile and grout... HELP

[Rockzulu]

I just installed tile in a bathroom and in another room in my basement. The tile is laying on the slab floor. The problem I have is that the 2 rooms have different tile and grout colors, yet both have a white haze over the tile and grout, even after I've washed them several times. The grout in the bathroom, a darker grout, seems almost mis-colored in spots, and I'm not sure if I can get that out... it seems embedded.

When I wet the floors, the "natural" grout color shows through, but then as it dries, it turns white or gets a hazy film over it, in the case of the bathroom. I've used just water and a specific "haze" cleaner, and it's still there. What can I do? Am I going to have to re-grout and start all over?

Thank you....

Joe

[Davestone]

What is the haze cleaner?We usually use a 50/50 vinegar and water cleaning, with maybe a bristle brush,then rinse with clean water...that usually takes care of most problems.

[doitright]

Hi Joe

Depending on what you're using for haze cleaner, you may need to neutralize with a 30% solution of amonia and water.

[ChuckD]

Hey I think I have found the same problem in all my sanded grouting jobs thus far (3 in total). The grout , Custom Building... Linen, is the correct colour in certain areas but very light almost white in other spots.

I have not sealed it yet hoping that it would dry fully and all blend together.

Dave did you mean you use a bristle brush / Vinager-Water on the grout lines as well? Or just the Ceramic Tiles.

It's been two days so far and I dont want to srub then seal until I can get some insight on what I might have done wrong.


Other then that the floor looks really good!!

Thanks

-ChuckD

[Davestone]

Yes, on the grout also,the lightness could be Efflorescence.I find the cleaning blends in the grout most of the time, but sometimes i get a splotchy job,i have to patch.

[doitright]

You guys have to start using Mapei's UltraColor for those sanded grout jobs. Haven't had a splotchy one yet. Customs Prism is supposed to be good also. The first one I did almost got away from me, so I'm hesitant to continue using it.

[Scottish Tile and Stone]

Do you think a bit of setting material is showing through, giving you that mismatched color in the joints?

[ChuckD]

OK I'll try the srubbing the lines first.
But what do you mean by "patch" ??
Do you re-grout? I thought that was a no no?


-chuck

[Davestone]

Sometimes i scrape the joint a little with a grout saw. or cut it out with a grinder, and touch it up.John, you know i can't afford those luxury grouts.I really don't have many problems with grout,though.

[doitright]

Hi Dave

I usually only use UltraColor on porcelains. Tumbled stone I've been using traditional sanded grouts. I liked the cleanup with Prism, but I did too large of an area the first time. You don't want to do that with any grout.