BAL Limestone Flexible Floor Grout - TilersForums.co.uk | Tile Forums

floordisaster · 14-02-2008

I have just laid a HUGE ceramic tiled kitchen floor and used BAL Flexible Floor Grout in Limestone (that't the colour it is called). It looks absolutely awful and doing a search I see another forum discussing the EXACT same problem means that this is not just a one off. The grout (supposedly a subtle beige tone colour) is patchy and in places totally white. I have emailed BAL today to ask for a resolution for this but any help would be much appreciated. I have cleaned it and washed it down and when wet it all looks a lovely mid brown even colour although then when dry the patchiness moves about I would say the floor is 85-90% mess grout wise. Would a sealant darken it to the 'wet' look colour?

GazTech · 14-02-2008

[quote=floordisaster;55314]I have just laid a HUGE ceramic tiled kitchen floor and used BAL Flexible Floor Grout in Limestone (that't the colour it is called). It looks absolutely awful and doing a search I see another forum discussing the EXACT same problem means that this is not just a one off. The grout (supposedly a subtle beige tone colour) is patchy and in places totally white. I have emailed BAL today to ask for a resolution for this but any help would be much appreciated. I have cleaned it and washed it down and when wet it all looks a lovely mid brown even colour although then when dry the patchiness moves about I would say the floor is 85-90% mess grout wise. Would a sealant darken it to the 'wet' look colour?[/quote]This may be as a result of using too much water when washing off....did you struggle ?

floordisaster · 14-02-2008

Hi there - it was quite difficult to remove all water when washing the floor (grout seemed to like holding onto it) but I mopped up excess water with a clean dry cloth. I am at a total loss. Thanks for trying to help - I am at my witts end! Any advice much appreciated.....

GazTech · 14-02-2008

[quote=floordisaster;55317]Hi there - it was quite difficult to remove all water when washing the floor (grout seemed to like holding onto it) but I mopped up excess water with a clean dry cloth. I am at a total loss. Thanks for trying to help - I am at my witts end! Any advice much appreciated.....[/quote]When I worked for Topps a customer had the same problem as you, I went to his house to survey it on my day off, and the solution to the problem for him, was to impregnate the joints with olive oil.....don't laugh....it worked. Talk to BAL and if you have no joy then try it out.....Gaz:yes:

**grumpygrouter** · 14-02-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaz

When I worked for Topps a customer had the same problem as you, I went to his house to survey it on my day off, and the solution to the problem for him, was to impregnate the joints with olive oil.....don't laugh....it worked. Talk to BAL and if you have no joy then try it out.....Gaz

PMSL Gaz. Amazing what seems to work isn't it. You will be looking to use spaghetti for spacers next..............

Grumpy

GazTech · 14-02-2008

[quote=grumpygrouter;55319]PMSL Gaz. Amazing what seems to work isn't it. You will be looking to use spaghetti for spacers next..............

Grumpy[/quote]lol Russ... It stands to reason , what is the worst thing that will stain untreated grout?...dirty oil...so if you impregnate 1st with clean oils , not much else can get through, it also made the grout for this customer a uniform colour again......Gaz[URL="http://www.tilersforums.co.uk/redirector.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.johnbridge.com%2Fvbulletin%2Fmisc.php%3Fdo%3Dgetsmilies%26wysiwyg%3D0%26forumid%3D1%23"][IMG]http://www.johnbridge.com/vbulletin/images/smilies/dance.gif[/IMG][/URL]

**grumpygrouter** · 14-02-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaz

lol Russ... It stands to reason , what is the worst thing that will stain untreated grout?...dirty oil...so if you impregnate 1st with clean oils , not much else can get through, it also made the grout for this customer a uniform colour again......Gaz

What do think is best then, standard ,virgin or extra virgin.

Grumps

GazTech · 14-02-2008

[quote=grumpygrouter;55321]What do think is best then, standard ,virgin or extra virgin.:grin:

Grumps[/quote]Whichever the customer can get his hands on first....lol[URL="http://www.johnbridge.com/vbulletin/misc.php?do=getsmilies&wysiwyg=0&forumid=1#"][IMG]http://www.johnbridge.com/vbulletin/images/smilies/drool2.gif[/IMG][/URL]

**Sir Ramic** · 14-02-2008

I am using this grout on a job at the moment and i am having no problems at all, in fact the architect paid me a compliment on the tiling today.

GazTech · 14-02-2008

[quote=Sir Ramic;55329]I am using this grout on a job at the moment and i am having no problems at all, in fact the architect paid me a compliment on the tiling today.[/quote]As I said earlier I think too much washing down, because grout has been left too long, may have caused the initial problem....Gaz

floordisaster · 14-02-2008

Thanks guys. Is there another option rather than olive oil? Will a sealant make a uniform colour of the grout or will the white residue bleed through? The grout is extremely porous so would like to protect it.

**Dave** · 14-02-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by floordisaster

I have just laid a HUGE ceramic tiled kitchen floor and used BAL Flexible Floor Grout in Limestone (that't the colour it is called). It looks absolutely awful and doing a search I see another forum discussing the EXACT same problem means that this is not just a one off. The grout (supposedly a subtle beige tone colour) is patchy and in places totally white. I have emailed BAL today to ask for a resolution for this but any help would be much appreciated. I have cleaned it and washed it down and when wet it all looks a lovely mid brown even colour although then when dry the patchiness moves about I would say the floor is 85-90% mess grout wise. Would a sealant darken it to the 'wet' look colour?

This is deffo a case of efflorecence......it can be caused by excessive use of water when cleaning grout up...It is a salty residue caused from the Portland cement in the substrate etc....and it rises to the surface causing this white residue....just use lithofin cement away or similar and it should help.....
There are many causes of efflorecence but excess water is the main one...
following this info in future should help.....

How to Grout Properly

Why does grout discolor? Grout discolors because of poor installation tehniques, improper cleaning methods, efflorescence, and improperly cured setting beds. Color differences occur in different parts of an installation because the grout is allowed to cure at different rates. Uneven curing causes uneven color. Inconsistant mixing and installation techniques also cause uneven color. Successful installations are the result of uniform, good installation techniques. Follow these step-by-step tips and you will bring about beautiful, long-lasting and low-maintenance colored grout installations.
What is efflorescence?. Efflorescence is the movement of moisture upward through portland cement beds and concrete slabs causing salts to rise to surface. Efflorescence causes grout discoloration.
Allow tile to set firmly before grouting. Grouting tile too soon, before the setting material has set-up, can lead to many problems. Uncured setting material may bleed through the joints and discolor the grout. Also, there is the risk of destroying the bond by shifting tiles. Allow as much time between settng and grouting as feasible. read setting times on bags. These can vary with temperatures..
Job conditions must be controlled. When grout cures at different rates, shade variations will result. If various areas of an installation are exposed to heat (i.e., direct sunlight, or radiators) they will cure differently and unevenly.
How to properly mix grout. The amount of water used to mix the grout is of utmost importance. The right amount of water produces a firm, wet mix. An overly wet and soupy mix dilutes the grout, causing shade variations and poor strength (powdering). To ensure uniformity of color, a clean container and the same amount of water must be used in every batch. Throughly mix every batch. Let the material slake (stand) for ten minutes, then re-stir. Try to maintain the same amount of mixing time with every batch.
Application.
Prior to grouting, joints between tiles must be clean and free of excessive setting bed materials. Apply grout with a rubber float trowel, forcing it into joints to fill them completely. Remove excess grout with float.
Finishing. Wash the floor with a washboy or by hand sponge taking great care not to over wet the grout as this can take pigment out of the grout...and add to the chance efflorescence happening.