Soft Grout

**wendywoop** · 12-04-2011

I can actually rub away the grout on my recently laid travertine floor with a cloth!! Surely this isnt right? It was laid a couple of months ago and the grout is looking very grubby even though it was sealed with 4 coats of sealant. It seems like the tiler has put two coats of grout on. The first being whiter looking and very smooth and the second grainy. With a bit of rubbing the second layer will come off. I can actually scratch it away with my fingernails. This doesnt seem right to me. Before I complain to my builder I would like to arm myself with a little knowledge please.

**Bri** · 12-04-2011

Welcome to the forum wendywoop. Do you know what brand of grout was used and also, do you know why the tiler/builder did the grouting in two stages and with two different products?

user123 · 12-04-2011

This horrible thought occurred to me reading your post, Wendy ... that very smooth 'grout' underneath wouldn't be silicone by any chance?? !!

**whitebeam** · 12-04-2011

I'd be calling your installer

**Daz** · 12-04-2011

Can you post any pics? There could be a number of reasons for the issue, so it would be best to "see" the problem before jumping to any conclusions.

That said, I agree that the first course of action should be to discuss with your installer and he should be given the first opportunity to rectify.

Daz

**wendywoop** · 13-04-2011

Originally Posted by Bri

Welcome to the forum wendywoop. Do you know what brand of grout was used and also, do you know why the tiler/builder did the grouting in two stages and with two different products?

Thanks for replying Brian. The grout was called Stonefix wide joint flexible grout I think. If I can remember he did the grout in 2 stages because he said the grout 'settles and sinks'. I'm not sure why he used two different products.

**wendywoop** · 13-04-2011

Hi there. Thanks for replying. No its not silicone..its definitely grout.

**wendywoop** · 13-04-2011

Hi Dazs thanks for replying. I'll try and get a couple of pics on here

**jay** · 13-04-2011

pics would help but i think your tiler has made a mistake

**Bri** · 13-04-2011

Originally Posted by wendywoop

Thanks for replying Brian. The grout was called Stonefix wide joint flexible grout I think. If I can remember he did the grout in 2 stages because he said the grout 'settles and sinks'. I'm not sure why he used two different products.

Some grouts do shrink a little when they are drying out but it sounds like the grout joints weren't full enough the first time round. If I ever use a grout that reacts like this I find that it shrinks within the first 10 mins of being applied so you can go over it again whilst the first application is still wet, then wash it off as normal. A second 'layer' of grout should not be applied ontop of grout that has been left to set, I'll put a few quid on this being your issue. It'll all need to come out and be regrouted to solve the problem, sorry if that's not wat you wanted to hear.