Hi,

I've just had porcelain tiles laid onto concrete floor. The adhesive was PCI rapid set flexible and the grout was Bal Limestone flexible for wide joints.

The problem is the grout looks very patchy in colour, as if some areas are dirty or wet. Is there any way to overcome this without actually removing the grout. There is still a 2-3 mm gap between the grout and the top of the tile. Would I be able to go over the grout to try and obtain a more even colour or would it simply crack.

Thanks for any advice

When I saw the title I wondered if it was Limestone Grout and it was!
On a couple of occassions we have had a variation in grout colour and in both cases with a large format porcelain tile.
Not sure if it was not completely mixed prior to use or its aused by uneven drying in the substrate. However we had to cut the grout out and redo.
Unfortunately we don't use Bal Limestone anymore! Shame because it had been a good colour for many years.
Either Mapei Jasmin or Beige now.
In your case - if it is that bad - I'd reduce the grout depth and re grout with a different colour. But first I'd contact BAL and explain, if you have the batch number it will help them check for any other complaints.

Timeless John.

Unfortunatley, I've got about 60m2 and yes it was the large format 600x600 porcelain tiles. Could i use something like Aqua mix grout colouer or I just need to bite the bullet and try and re-grout the whole lot.

Id take some advice from Bal before paying for a re-grout. Have you spoken to the installer?

Would BAL sort it if it was there problem I don't think so :Pete

I have had this problem before where the grout looks patchy with darker and lighter areas. I wouldnt say it looked dirty but darker. I used a product from HG called effloresence cleaner and it worked a treat.
It might work for you. think it only cost about a tenner too for a litre. Could be worth trying it in an inconspicuos area and seeing if it works, before regrouting.

I'd love you to go on Bals new forum and state this...seeing as i had a bit of a moment with them over it at the weekend. They recon their grout is never to blame.

All they will say if you call tech is EFFLORESCENCE!!! ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HHHHHHHHHHH.

Wivs thats why i dont go on as its all one way wheras we talk about all manufacturers.

Originally Posted by brian c

Wivs thats why i dont go on as its all one way wheras we talk about all manufacturers.

Make you right mate.

90% of the time it is NOT efflorescence that is causing the patching...it is the polymers in the grouts.....so saying it is efflorescence is wrong IMHO...who ever the manufacturer is..

Incorrect mixing and over wetting of the grout joint when washing off and also washing to early and excessive rubbing of the joints before the grout has set all contributes to patching..

So you are right to get annoyed wivs..

you are spot on there Dave.

I've used Bal limestone grout 3 times now and on all occasions have had the same result with dark patches.
Every time i've followed exactly the instructions with mixing,ratio,water,washboy,etc
I'm now going to use Mapei limestone next to see if i get a differant result.
Very frustrated
Kev

did you use a wash boy ?

i bet you did

Yes a washboy was used. Do you think someting like aquamix grout colouere will help.

Originally Posted by davphi338

Yes a washboy was used. Do you think someting like aquamix grout colouere will help.

Yes you could use Aqua Mix grout colorant for this, i use loads of it and its really good.

I've already sealed the tiles and grout with LTP MPG, will this have any affect on the aquamix colourant or does it not need to soak in.

Originally Posted by davphi338

I've already sealed the tiles and grout with LTP MPG, will this have any affect on the aquamix colourant or does it not need to soak in.

What you would need to do is use Aqua mix Phosphoric Acid Substitute, because you need to apply this to the grout to remove the sealant and etch the grout (to open up the pores) this will not affect the tiles, then you need to wash the grout joints with clean water and let dry thoroughly. Then you are ready to apply the grout colorant.

how long has it been down on the floor it might be its just taking a little longer to dry out in some places than others

Its been down for about a week now.

Originally Posted by woodie

how long has it been down on the floor it might be its just taking a little longer to dry out in some places than others

but if he's already sealed it, it won't dry out from the surface, (I think)

i didn't read he'd sealed it, could well be why it's patchy if the grout hasn't completely dried before sealing

Originally Posted by davphi338

Hi,

I've just had porcelain tiles laid onto concrete floor. The adhesive was PCI rapid set flexible and the grout was Bal Limestone flexible for wide joints.

The problem is the grout looks very patchy in colour, as if some areas are dirty or wet. Is there any way to overcome this without actually removing the grout. There is still a 2-3 mm gap between the grout and the top of the tile. Would I be able to go over the grout to try and obtain a more even colour or would it simply crack.

Thanks for any advice

This is why i stopped using Bal grouts years ago !

Originally Posted by wivers

I'd love you to go on Bals new forum and state this...seeing as i had a bit of a moment with them over it at the weekend. They recon their grout is never to blame.

All they will say if you call tech is EFFLORESCENCE!!! ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HHHHHHHHHHH.

Nail on head !!!!!!!!
Its never there fault its always effloresence everytime,even though when the new superflex grouts came out they were supposed to be effloresence free,Bu****** ! I Then went onto ardex fl grey never had any probs for
years, but latley had a few patchy jobs ,had the rep come out ,took some samples. they said i was using to much water to wash off ? .so i stopped using washboy thinking that was to blame, did a couple of small bathroom floors with sponge ,same again . did a big porcelain job for a customer who bought his own grout (Mapai) dries a bit too fast ,but colour was uniformed ! Mapai grouts from now on !