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?

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 may be as a result of using too much water when washing off....did you struggle ?

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.....

Originally Posted by floordisaster

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.....

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

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

Originally Posted by grumpygrouter

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

Grumpy

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

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

Originally Posted by grumpygrouter

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

Grumps

Whichever the customer can get his hands on first....lol

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.

Originally Posted by Sir Ramic

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.

As I said earlier I think too much washing down, because grout has been left too long, may have caused the initial problem....Gaz

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.

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.

Anyone know who stocks this? Want the lady of the house to go and choose appropriate colour so don't want internet suppliers.

Originally Posted by Gaz

As I said earlier I think too much washing down, because grout has been left too long, may have caused the initial problem....Gaz

had simler thing with same grout , with stone mosics.
but no probs with larger tiles , same grout.
may be to much washing/water.
----
tops tiles stock it ..but wouldn,t pay there prices

Originally Posted by dptiling

had simler thing with same grout , with stone mosics.
but no probs with larger tiles , same grout.
may be to much washing/water.
----
tops tiles stock it ..but wouldn,t pay there prices

Neither would I buy anything from Topps....Gaz

Originally Posted by Gaz

Neither would I buy anything from Topps....Gaz

Har har har!!

Grumpy

I have used Bal Limestone wide joint sure flex grout hundreds of times and found that it is a sandy substance when dries looks bang on the colour it should be but when wet looks all sorts of shades. The best limestone grout i have ever used was from Excel bond dont know if many people heard of that brand got it from a sheffield tile depot very good grout

What colour floor adhesive did you use, on this type of grout i would only use white and not grey.

Originally Posted by Gaz

Neither would I buy anything from Topps....Gaz

not being funny about tops tiles, just ment i get a better price from my tile shop.
----
wasn,t having a pop

he doesn't work there now ..thats why he said wot he did......( pee take )......

i guessed as much ,didnt want anyone thinking i was tring to cleaver.
cos cleaver im not im a tiler.

Hi there,

Having got toally confused by the range of products available to sort out grout - colour reviver, grout cleaner, grout colourant, grout sealer to name a few I retreated to the local supermarket and spent £3.49 on some olive oil and applied it to all of my grout! Amazing - all nasty patches and white residue completely gone and the floor now looks fantastic, a unfiorm mid brown grout enhansing the tiles and it looks very expensive seeing they were only Wicks tiles in the first place!!! Would certainly say it is the best result achievable. THANKYOU FOR ALL YOUR HELP....

Top advice mate, sometimes people dont leave enough time between layin and grouting, leads to said problem.