Granfix Grey Grout Dried Different Colours

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I

Ivan Rubery

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138
Bolton
Hi all
Please advise needed if possible. How can i fix grout that has dried different shades. It is meant to be grey, but is grey and black in different parts. I treated each wall area separately as not quick enough to grout whole bathroom in 1 go, so therefore different batches were made, everything clean each time, mixed to smooth paste as per instructions. I have seen some info on efforensense, but not sure if it is that. Would it be possible or feasible to go over surface again ? Is Granfix grout any good as i have used mapei before with no issues ?
 
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S

SJPurdy

Is the colour uniform in each wall/batch area? or is it patchy throughout a single mix batch?

I think Effervescence is when, as a grout sets the moisture in it rises to the surface bringing more of the salts in the grout to the surface and this gives a lighter/whitish colour to the surface of the grout ( if this is wrong then someone please give a correction). I personally used to find this to be a problem with Granfix grey floor grout and so stopped using it.
I however have never seen grey/black patchiness but it could possibly be effervescence on black grout giving lighter greyer patches; but, I do not think, darker black patches on grey grout.
There are (acid based?) products available to reduce effervescence if this is the cause.

Pictures would be useful to help with a diagnosis.
 
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O

Old Mod

Well effervescence is gas bubbles in a liquid haha :D sorry Steve couldn't help it! :(

Efflorescence is the formation of salt crystals after water carrying these salts evaporates.
Most common cause is over washing with a sponge that is saturated with water or standing water in the joints.
If it's light and dark grey it could well be efflorescence.
Grey grout is dark when wet, efflorescence would turn it light grey.
How long has it been since u've grouted?
Or has the area been subject to premature heavy wetting?
Or is room very humid?
Or even grouting too early I'd addy hasn't set properly.
These can cause efflorescence
(derived from Latin word meaning "To Bloom") :rolleyes:

U can generally remove it with a Phosphoric acid based tile and grout cleaner.
Obviously test small descreet area first.
 
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I

Ivan Rubery

TF
9
138
Bolton
SJPurdy said:
Is the colour uniform in each wall/batch area? or is it patchy throughout a single mix batch?

I think Effervescence is when, as a grout sets the moisture in it rises to the surface bringing more of the salts in the grout to the surface and this gives a lighter/whitish colour to the surface of the grout ( if this is wrong then someone please give a correction). I personally used to find this to be a problem with Granfix grey floor grout and so stopped using it.
I however have never seen grey/black patchiness but it could possibly be effervescence on black grout giving lighter greyer patches; but, I do not think, darker black patches on grey grout.
There are (acid based?) products available to reduce effervescence if this is the cause.

Pictures would be useful to help with a diagnosis.
Click to expand...
IMG_20150910_184423481.jpg IMG_20150910_184538989.jpg IMG_20150910_184557460.jpg

Hi there

I have added some pics, but not really easy to see. After some searching today, the suppliers (BB) have said they supplied the wrong colour grout, should have been light grey, but was charcoal. Customer wants me to re - grout the bathroom !!!!(21 SQM). Any tips/help/advice would be most welcome (not looking forward to this !!!!!) I will be paid extra for this, but dreading it already. is there an easy way to do this|?
 
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Dan

Dan

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Grout lines look like they've been washed off way too much. Tiles are stepping quite a bit.

Not the best tiling that.

I thought you were DIY when you first asked but you say this is a customers job. :-/

You need a tool like a Fein Multimaster with a grout removal head on it. (Available from www.TradeTiler.com) or a grout rake (also from TT). But it'll take you ages with a rake. Then re-grout.
 
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I

Ivan Rubery

TF
9
138
Bolton
Dan said:
Grout lines look like they've been washed off way too much. Tiles are stepping quite a bit.

Not the best tiling that.

I thought you were DIY when you first asked but you say this is a customers job. :-/

You need a tool like a Fein Multimaster with a grout removal head on it. (Available from www.TradeTiler.com) or a grout rake (also from TT). But it'll take you ages with a rake. Then re-grout.
Click to expand...

Thanks for comments, taken on board. Not too sure what funky and stepping means ? I am learning, still a way to go. Another question, is there a minimum bed thickness for floor tiles to stop height of floor being raised too much ?
 
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Dave

Dave

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Ivan Rubery said:
Hi Dave
Yes ready mixed bal white star for walls
Click to expand...

It's more than likely moisture evaporation causing the dark patches , if you grout to early when using a dispersion adhesive , then staining can occur as the moisture leaches through the joints.
 
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I

Ivan Rubery

TF
9
138
Bolton
Dave said:
It's more than likely moisture evaporation causing the dark patches , if you grout to early when using a dispersion adhesive , then staining can occur as the moisture leaches through the joints.
Click to expand...
Ok thanks. I did leave for couple days. I have another question, is there a minimum bed thickness for floor tiles to stop height being raised too much. They are going on to hardie backer
 
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I

Ivan Rubery

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138
Bolton
AliGage said:
How long have you been tiling @Ivan Rubery
Click to expand...
Hi, well. I have done a few jobs, tiling not my main area probably about 1 year. I have a large floor trowel with a 10mm half moon recess which i would always use on a floor, however, trying to keep floor height to minimum, just thought i would ask the question if a thinner bed such as 6mm would be an option. I realise tiles on floor need good contact, due to them being stood on and weight bearing down such as toilet pans and people. Thanks
 
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AliGage

AliGage

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Ok (bites tongue)......

Your grouting is clearly efflorescence. You've used far too much water to wash down. You can see where water has been left within the joint, particularly on the corners.
Charcoal I find is one of the most sensitive colours to this. Would of been an advantage, so something to do in the future, after your last mop run over with a soft cloth to remove any excess water. Then once dry buff to remove any remaining grout residue.

Floor tiling: 6mm is no good for any tile on the floor IMO. What tiles are you fixing?
Depending on how good and flat your surface is you could possibly use an 8mm but generally speaking a 10mm notch is used.
 
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I

Ivan Rubery

TF
9
138
Bolton
AliGage said:
Ok (bites tongue)......

Your grouting is clearly efflorescence. You've used far too much water to wash down. You can see where water has been left within the joint, particularly on the corners.
Charcoal I find is one of the most sensitive colours to this. Would of been an advantage, so something to do in the future, after your last mop run over with a soft cloth to remove any excess water. Then once dry buff to remove any remaining grout residue.

Floor tiling: 6mm is no good for any tile on the floor IMO. What tiles are you fixing?
Depending on how good and flat your surface is you could possibly use an 8mm but generally speaking a 10mm notch is used.
Click to expand...
Thankyou. I appreciate it must be very frustrating when basic type questions are asked, but as most people i don' t like making mistakes or a bad job. I have and i am learning all the time and the grouting finish is the first time this has happened to me. Thanks
 
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Dave

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Ivan Rubery said:
Ok thanks. I did leave for couple days. I have another question, is there a minimum bed thickness for floor tiles to stop height being raised too much. They are going on to hardie backer
Click to expand...

They depends how thick you used it and the tile size.
As for the floor , minimum bed depth will be on the bag ,
 
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I

Ivan Rubery

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138
Bolton
I thought it would be good to end this thread on a positive note. Floor went down well on hardie backer boards and really impressed with the stability of these. Thanks to all with advice. Used a "normal" floor trowel and height of floor acceptable. The bathroom looks good and customer happy after all. I'm working on perfection and nothing less, maybe one day i will be giving others advice who seek help. Thanks to all
 
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O

Old Mod

Ivan Rubery said:
I thought it would be good to end this thread on a positive note. Floor went down well on hardie backer boards and really impressed with the stability of these. Thanks to all with advice. Used a "normal" floor trowel and height of floor acceptable. The bathroom looks good and customer happy after all. I'm working on perfection and nothing less, maybe one day i will be giving others advice who seek help. Thanks to all
Click to expand...
Glad it worked out for you @Ivan Rubery
Did u sort the grout problem, I know u said u had to change the colour.
Did u?
 
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Andy Allen

Andy Allen

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3_fall said:
Well effervescence is gas bubbles in a liquid haha :D sorry Steve couldn't help it! :(

Efflorescence is the formation of salt crystals after water carrying these salts evaporates.
Most common cause is over washing with a sponge that is saturated with water or standing water in the joints.
If it's light and dark grey it could well be efflorescence.

Grey grout is dark when wet, efflorescence would turn it light grey.
How long has it been since u've grouted?
Or has the area been subject to premature heavy wetting?
Or is room very humid?
Or even grouting too early I'd addy hasn't set properly.
These can cause efflorescence
(derived from Latin word meaning "To Bloom") :rolleyes:

U can generally remove it with a Phosphoric acid based tile and grout cleaner.
Obviously test small descreet area first.
Click to expand...

Spot the nerdy kid......lol
 
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