Finishing a bad grouting job!

[mckinnna]

Hi,

I'm new to professional tiling and new to the forum. My 1st job is tomorrow and I have been asked by the client to finish off a bad grouting job performed by builders who were sacked.

Basically a large marble tiled bathroom has a 2/3mm joint for which the terracotta grout has not been finished flush with the un-shamphered tiles. It does not feel smooth when you run your hands over it and probably needs about 1/2 to 1 mm more grout to be given a proper finish.

Can you advise me whether I can adequately just top-up the existing grout. Will it adhere and last or will it dry in a way that it will flake off. I have only been trained how to apply from scratch and performing the whole task in one job.

Regards

Neil

[grumpygrouter]

I doubt you will get away with just topping it up. Really you need to regrout with at least 2/3 the depth of the tile available to give the new grout something to grip to. Removing te current grout from marble will be perilous! It is very soft stuff and easily scratched. To be honest, you may want to steer clear of this as it is your first job. If you are going to go ahead, then i strongly recommend that you invest in a Fein multimaster (if you haven't already got one) with the tiling kit and use that to remove your grout. What you MUST do is TAKE YOUR TIME as you don't want to ruin your reputation before you even get started.

Good luck, let us know how you get on.

[grumpygrouter]

Oh! welcome to the forums.

[redrex]

Hi Mckinna,

If you think it may help and you don't have one, I have a makita hand held tile saw(wet) that actually works a treat removing grout, it is best using it against a straight edge but if you take it slow you can do it without a guide. You are more than welcome to borrow it for a couple of days-i'm in Chiswick- I was helped out like this on my first job(thanks again Wetdec). If you think you like it, then invest, rather than go out and spend a fortune on tools you may only need once.. Only works on flat surfaces though, on account of the water bottle.

Redrex

[TilingLogistics]

I do not wish to hurt anyones feelings here and I think Redrexs offer is great. I am afraid however I am with Grumps on this one. I don't think I would be tackling this as your first job. We are talking machines and marble here guys.

Kev

[MICK the Tiler]

You could always advise the client that the floor will need to be re-groung honed the polished, if you can't make the grout to the level of the marble advise that you need to grind the marble down to the grout.

[davy_G]

Yep, well done to redrex for the offer but walk away as this isnt a job for a newbie. Get a few regular tiling job under your belt first. This may take alot of time and cost you if you go in at a price. It may cost the client if you go in at a dayrate as you might well be slow.
Good luck if you do take it on and post a few pics.

Welcome tot he forums mate

[GazTech]

Gr8 advise fellas. I would be very wary myself, this is specialist work, a job like this is not for the Feint hearted....welcome to the forums, & thanks redrex for your kind offer.....Gaz

[whitebeam]

Hello and welcome

[Daveyboy]

Hi Neil and welcome to the Forum and the tiling profession...You're playing with fire with this as yr first job. Regrouting is difficult at the best of times...a a real challenge when working with natural stone. The builders may have put down a cheap grade of marble which is prone to chipping at the slightest touch. I'm with the majority on this one....walk away. If you want to go ahead, see if one of the more experienced tilers in the forum that live near you is prepared to help you out... David

[Highlander]

Hi mate and welcome to the forum.

I am with Grumps and Tilinglogistics would steer clear of this job mate until you have had some practice on your own home. You are dealing with Marble that if you sneeze on it will crack never mind if you slip and scratch it. One of the areas I specalise in is Grout Restoration and to do it correctly takes time and patience and also due to the amount of different grouts you will find they react to different treatments.

If you go ahead make sure your Liability insurance is in place because if it goes tits up the customer will be looking at you mate

Highlander