Hello,

I was hoping someone could help me. I have black tiles and my tiler at my request put black grout to my delight. I washed the tiles/grout with washing up liquid. My black grouting is now patchy and ranges from white to grey to black. My tiler says that because the size of the grouting between tiles are narrow, taking the grout out may result in chipped tiles
The floor looks awful and at £1000 for the tiles its an expensive mistake Is there anything that can be done?
Surely the grouting manufacturers are soley responsible? My tiler says and have others they have never heard of this before. Anyone eles experienced similar?

Regards
Sandy

How long after grouting did you wash the floor?

Hy

I washed the floor about 36hrs later.

Thanks

Get some black concrete stain and have him apply (use a sealer bottle with a brush tip) and then wash.
This time use minimal water.
The problem you have is called efflorescence which occurs when any concrete product is over washed before it is cured.
They have an efflorescence remover on the market, but they only work so well with grout.
Make sure that you get a good sealer onto that grout before you get after it again with water.
So no, you do not have to remove the grout.
Any large dealer of decorative concrete should have the stain on hand or know where it can be found.

What make of grout was it?

Thanks so much, good to know it's salvagable.

Sandy

Im sure it's called Bal

sandy

Originally Posted by sandeeeee2000

Im sure it's called Bal

sandy

Thanks, that explains it then.

can your explain it, then i can relay this to my tiler?


thanks
sandy

If your tiler hasnt heard of efflorescence before i would suggest he isnt a tiler. Its a common problem especially with darker grouts.

Cheers


Sandy

Pour a little olive oil on an inconspicous area where the grout is at its lightest only do about an inch in length and leave it for a full 24 hours and let me know if you are happy with the result. If you are I will tell you where to get a product that will replicate the olive oil action and seal the grout at the same time

Kev

Originally Posted by Sir Ramic

If your tiler hasnt heard of efflorescence before i would suggest he isnt a tiler. Its a common problem especially with darker grouts.

To be fair Neale, it may be the first time he's used black grout. Efflorescence can occur with any coloured grout but it's not always visable.

My BAL Ebony efflorescence free grout is still holding up well.

Black Bal grout staining ....Surely not.....this has only ever happend a million times!!!! Try aquamix products they work a treat.

How come that link i posted linked to another forum when all i did was cut and paste the adress?

Originally Posted by cornish_crofter

To be fair Neale, it may be the first time he's used black grout. Efflorescence can occur with any coloured grout but it's not always visable.

My BAL Ebony efflorescence free grout is still holding up well.

But for a "Tiler" to say he or she has never heard of Efflorescence is a bit suspect to me. This "Tiler" is playing with £1000 worth of tiles and i would want him/her to know the trade.
We are not talking about a little known subject here but of a major problem.
Yes it can affect all grouts but the darker ones tend to show the problem more so.
Also Yes your "BAL Ebony efflorescence free grout" should hold up well....the clue is "efflorescence free".

hy kev

I have put olive oil on the tile..its darkened it considerably. Could you tell me what product u recommend?

thanks
sandy

cheers neale i will take on board your suggestion

thanks

Originally Posted by sandeeeee2000

hy kev

I have put olive oil on the tile..its darkened it considerably. Could you tell me what product u recommend?

thanks
sandy

I hope you mean the grout and not the tile has darkened considerably? Now the next thing to do is to brush all the grout lines with a hard DRY brush a good quality nail brush is usually best the harder the better this will remove any salts that have been produced as a result of the effloresence. (UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WET THE FLOOR AGAIN YOU WILL REACTIVATE THE EFFLORESCENCE PROCESS)Then gently vacuum the floor paying attention to the grout lines (Use the crevice tool if necessary) Now purchase some Aqua Mix Enrich & Seal and apply it to the grout lines. Let it dwell for a good 5 or 6 minutes then wipe any excess up with paper towel and buff with an old towel. After 24 hours if the grout is still not dark enough repeat the process again until you are happy. Do not be tempted to just leave it for a couple of hours and apply again, be patient and allow each coat to cure. If you give me your total M2 Measurement and the width of the grout lines I will tell you what size bottle to purchase

Good Luck

Kev

B&Q do a grout brush very stiff bristle only a couple of quid

hy Kev

My floor is approx 10sqft.

Thanks

Sandy

Originally Posted by sandeeeee2000

hy Kev

My floor is approx 10sqft.

Thanks

Sandy

So 1m2 x 1m2? What is it a larder?

Kev

hy kev

ok im blond!!! 10sqm

sandy

You will need the smallest bottle in that case it is 473ml (about 1/2 ltr)bottle. It has a 15 year warranty. You can get it from Taylors 01792 797712

Kev

Hy
my tiler has put powder cement colour on the grouting, I dont know what he has mixed it with but it is still patchy...has anyone any thoughts on this before I proceed with other suggestions that have been made here. And will this "harm" my tiles?
Regards
Sandy

Kev, I tried the olive oil and it made the grout in that spot look a deep black again. I have the black grout in my shower(!) with lots of water hitting it. So I can just treat all the grout lines with olive oil, wait 24 hours, scrub and vacuum and then seal it? I don't know if I can get the product you recommend since I live in Canada, but I have a commercial grade sealer with colour enhancer for the slate tile. Will that do?

Use Aquamix Enrich and seal in canada to darken the grout joints, you won't be able to seal over an oil..

Thanks, Dave. Shows you what I know. I will look for the product here in Canada.

Custom building products do it..

Aqua Mix Products :: Do-It-Yourselfers :: Custom Building Products

Excellent post, always wondered why my grouting was turning colour. Thanks guys.