i wrote a post a while ago about jasmine mapei grout, i was having some problems grouting.

now i'm using beige and i had the same problem of the grout drying patchy. I asked an (experienced) tiler to come and look at it, and he said it was fine.

it looks as if the grout (dust) that dries on the tiles also dries on the grout lines, but cos this is a lighter colour it then it makes look patchy.

the fella said that the customer can give that a scrub and it'll come off. but i'm a bit sceptical, it look pretty bad -unless wet.

is this normal?? can u clean it off? with what?

if anyone has any suggestions / answers of things to add, i would be well grateful!!

thanks!

can we see some pics please thanks it may help mate

without seeing any pictures, If this has happened with different grouts then i would guess at you getting the grout too wet while cleaning off.........

did you have any adhesive close to the face of the tiles in the joints?

how long had the tiles been fixed and what tile did you fix and on what background

It is possible that you have dusted the tiles off(polished them) before the grout joints have fully dried and the dust from the face off the tiles has stuck to the wet grout in places and not others there for causing the patchy look.

dont have any pics till 2moro,

nearly 100% sure i didnt wipe off too eary, ive seen how that looks.

also didnt polish with a dry cloth, but did give it a wipe over with the sponge.

it all looks fine, untill about half an hour later and then u start to see the "grout dust" appearing on the tile and also the grout.

do you think i could be giving it a laast wipe over too late?? does that effect the colour?

thanks!!

Originally Posted by peckers

It is possible that you have dusted the tiles off(polished them) before the grout joints have fully dried and the dust from the face off the tiles has stuck to the wet grout in places and not others there for causing the patchy look.

that would be my guess as sadly i have done this once in the past.

If you do lots of different mixes and you have different water amounts to powder each time then this could affect it making it look patchy

You need to strike the joints on the last wash, it is basicly dirty water from washing resting in the joints.. Over wetting causes this.. and leaves this watery residue on top which dries lighter... polymer leaching is another name for this residue left from over wetting it..

strike the joints?

can you explain what you mean by that?

thanks

striking the joint.

using a clean sponge and water go over the joint line removing any dirty water that may be on the surface of the grout from the previous wash down

That sounds like it could be the problem. when giving it that last wipe, does it muck anything up if you wipe it over too late? -in terms of colour/powder.

So ive now ruined one bathroom, what's the best way for me to put it right?
soap, sand paper??....... that other tiler said acid??? (but he also said it was ok)

any ideas??


heres some pictures of it aswell.

IMG_3647.jpgIMG_3649.jpgIMG_3648.jpg

thanks a lot for all the advice,
ive got to do the other bathroom 2moro, so i really hope that that is the problem.

Its like dave said now we can see the pics you are wetting down the tiles too much and the water is running down the face of the tiles bringing the grout residue with it and as it is drying then the grout residue which will be lighter then the main grout joint is drying on the surface and then it is drying out patchy!
further advice for when grouting is that on your first initial wash is too remove excess grout from face off tile then when face off tile starts too look dusty again second wash should be carried out this time cleaning face off tile and shaping grout joints as you go, then allow time for it to start to dry again and then the third wash should be just going over the joints but your sponge should only be damp not wringing wet. cleaning your sponge and changing water often. this will remove the dusty bits of grout which has settled onto your joints.

I would also reccomend that by looking at your pictures that you are not cleaning the face off the tiles enough on your previous washes and your sponge is too wet and the moisture is running down over the grout joints there for leaving the grout looking like your pics.

To try and make it better you could use a grout haze remover LTP do one they are a sponsor on this site and you will find there link on the home page to the left, you may need to aggitate the joints with the grout haze remover using a nail brush or something similiar.

hope this helps

thanks mate,

you are saving my bacon

sounds like you are spot on, i'm going to do the other bathroom 2moro like you said.

i'll let you know how i get on

Originally Posted by ross9807

That sounds like it could be the problem. when giving it that last wipe, does it muck anything up if you wipe it over too late? -in terms of colour/powder.

So ive now ruined one bathroom, what's the best way for me to put it right?
soap, sand paper??....... that other tiler said acid??? (but he also said it was ok)

any ideas??


heres some pictures of it aswell.

IMG_3647.jpgIMG_3649.jpgIMG_3648.jpg

thanks a lot for all the advice,
ive got to do the other bathroom 2moro, so i really hope that that is the problem.

OK.. Use some residue remover and rub the joints with a scotch-brite pad with grout residue remover.. rinse to neutralise and then leave to dry.. then see what you have..

yesterday i done exactly what you said and it worked.

i get the feeling that i'm still doing it a bit too wet, but i'm using a wash boy and i really can't see how you can ring the sponge out any more on the rollers.

also although i went over everything a few times and wiped the joints, still a few bits of residue dry up here and there.

whats normal? do you usually leave a job with a few patches????

the other tiler said it was completley fine and that i should just tell the customer to give it a scrub??
(i gave it a scrub with vinegar and water 1:1 and it came off a treat.)

any more advice is welcome.

again thanks to everyone who replied,
and my hat goes off to whoever made this site. It really is incredible.

ross

I dont use a wash boy on walls for the same reason as they hold too much water! i only use them on floors, other members do and get on fine with them. but id rather stick to a high quality hand sponge on walls! I suppose you could get away with using wash boy on walls for the first initial wash to get grout off the face of the tiles. then do the rest with hand sponge.
there will always be a little bit off grout haze/dust left on the tiles after giving them a good clean down! but the more often you rinse your sponge and change your water the better. the dust that is left after your last final clean down can be easily buffed off when all is dry!