Pics of my first DIY tiling (and an obligatory question)

[jgw1]

After finishing grouting last night I thought that it was the least I could do to post some pics of my work.

Never tiled before so the help here was invaluable, so thanks!

Riven slate bathroom floor, around 3.5m2.



Only thing that I would have differently was that I did not sort the heights and so in places there are some lips. Not too bad in such a small bathroom but something that I would change nevertheless.

In one spot in this photo you can obviously see a lip as it hides the grout line...



Now to my question

I have buffed the tiles this evening but I have two problems with the grout. In some areas there is a thin line of grout wedged into the edge around the layers. You can see this in the first pic. Second in some places I still can't get rid of all of the grout, you can see here that the edges of the tile (where the grout was pressed in) are duller...



So what should I be doing to get this grout off? The tiles were sealed with a coat of Lithofin slate seal after laying which was left to dry for 24 hours.

[david campbell]

did you seal the tiles before grouting?looks good anyway!

[LM Ceramics]

looks ok mate for your first attempt

[jgw1]

I did seal them (Lithofin Slate Seal), any ideas on polishing them up before another coat of sealant? How abrasive can I go - can I use the rough side of a washing up sponge?

[LM Ceramics]

if you have sealed them any dirt or dust on the tiles will not clean up easy

[Dave]

I did seal them (Lithofin Slate Seal), any ideas on polishing them up before another coat of sealant? How abrasive can I go - can I use the rough side of a washing up sponge?

Use a scraper to clean out the grout that is holding into those riven bits.....

Clean up and re-seal..

[kilty55]

i use a toothbrush to remove grout on slate as im grouting on the riven edges

[jgw1]

Wish I'd know that before hand.

@LM Ceramics - the tiles were spotless before sealing so I am sure this is on the surface now - just can't shift it - I am just worried that I did not wipe enough grout off.

[faithhealer]

Never get rid of all the lips on riven slate. that one you have pointed out will be hidden by the toilet anyway.

[jgw1]

Yeah I thought of that.

Anyway what scraper Dave? metal one inch palette or plastic?

Is there a stripper I can use? Even on slate?

[jgw1]

Aqua Mix Grout Haze Cleanup | Aqua Mix Grout Haze Cleanup for Tile & Stone

???

or 50/50 vinegar and water

[Dave]

Don't use NO cleaners........just use a paint scraper and gently rake off the grout.....not hard to do...

[jgw1]

What about the hazy areas Dave, will that scrap off too?

[doug boardley]

looks ok for a first attempt mate tho'

[jgw1]

Cheers, I learned so much this one go, now I have to do the walls too. I have a feeling that a good scrub and a sealant coat will even out some of the variation. But definitely the finish is a bit more patchy that the pics show, the third shows this best.

Do you mean something like this Dave..

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Pain...0/sd160/p87539

or this..

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Pain...0/sd160/p21904

[Dave]

second one yes.....you shouldn't have any haze that will stick to the surface if you sealed first...they just need a wash....but in the pics it looks not to bad to me and another coat of slate seal will luster them up..

[jgw1]

as always, cheers dave

[jgw1]

Based on the pics I posted, does anyone have suggestions for how I could improve (if I ever do a bit more tiling) - obviously given this conversation clean up grout a bit more before going to bed