Tile polishing..

[ninjatiler]

Hi guys just finished a floor today the problem i have got is that after gouting i tend to wash the floor about three times changing the water each time but still end up with a dirty looking floor am reluctant to use a cloth to polish the floor when the grout is still wet..any tips on how to resolve this problem will be greatly recieved thanks

[CJ]

Wot tiles are they?


Trouble is the sponge is impregnated with the grout.
Sometimes better after a good wash, is to let it dry off, and then buff with dry cloth

[Dave]

And also over-washing can cause the grout to go patchy.........

[ninjatiler]

Black ceramic tiles using grey bond excell grout...how long would you wait for the grout to dry before buffing and would you use a fresh sponge on each wash i told the customer to leave it for 24 hours before washing the floor

[CJ]

Leave it long enough so as NOT to pull out grout.

I always tell customer to leave 24hrs before rinsing lightly

[ninjatiler]

Thanks cj thats what i said...

[DARRELL]

I usally give it one wash, leve to dry (you get a light grout film on tiles) then polish with a dry cloth. Just like polishing a car.

[fitzer]

Grout on floors has alot to do with the width of the grout joint, the depth and also the temperature in the house - most ceramix will use a 4mm joint, porcelain 2mm, - 2 good washes - first wash with a damp sponge, the 2nd wash the sponge squeezed to reduce as much water as is possible - dont try to clean too much of an area before re rinsing the sponge as the build up of grout will drag on the grout joints and continous washing could reduce the drying process - usually wait about an hour after cleaning then polish - check the grout for hardness in a corner with a coin - if its hard enough polish away, if not next day will do

[crazysteve123]

Thanks for the advice everyone..

[Daz]

I grout and wash floor with a washboy as I go.

Clean up all tools and buckets, load the van and put the kettle on .
Once I've finished the cup of tea and had a nice chat with the lady of the house I get a scotchbright pad and gently buff the floor - comes up lovely and no need for a repeat visit.

[enduro]

I did a 17sqm floor last week and didn't have chance to polish the tiles, because the following day chippy's were in there fitting doors, skirting etc. So today i took my electric floor polisher in and buffed them up, took about 15mins...customer was well impressed.

[robbo]

What floor polisher have u got enduro? sounds good m8...

[andy-p]

some manufacturers advise against dry polishing as rubbing dry grout into wet grout can cause discolouration..

[andy-p]

Hi guys just finished a floor today the problem i have got is that after gouting i tend to wash the floor about three times changing the water each time but still end up with a dirty looking floor am reluctant to use a cloth to polish the floor when the grout is still wet..any tips on how to resolve this problem will be greatly recieved thanks

ninja on floors i use a rapid setting grout like mapeis ultracolour, grout floor then let it dry slighty, lightly rub off the excess on tile surface but dont drag out the joints, leave till the grout starts to go off and do final rinse and smoothing of joints , because the grout has set you can rinse the tiles without grout coming out of joints , it takes a wee bit practice but works a treat when mastered..

[enduro]

I have a Numatic 332 lowline, really nice bit off kit. I mainly use for cleaning stone floors.

[MICK the Tiler]

getting your floors clean "OFF THE SPONGE" so to speak can be down to technique. Grout the floor then wait till it firms up a little then cut the floor once in a circular motion to smooth out the joints and get an even grout haze. Then do your second cut but this time when you place your sponge on the floor drag it across you and don't lift it mid pass keep it in contact with the floor lift it only after youv'e wiped say 3 tile wide flip the sponge and repeat further down. It will take some time and practice but once mastered you rarley have to wipe off grout haze.

Hope this helps.