black grout turns white? - TilersForums.com

[sandeeeee2000]

Hello,

I was hoping someone could help me. I have black tiles and my tiler at my request put black grout to my delight. I washed the tiles/grout with washing up liquid. My black grouting is now patchy and ranges from white to grey to black. My tiler says that because the size of the grouting between tiles are narrow, taking the grout out may result in chipped tiles
The floor looks awful and at £1000 for the tiles its an expensive mistake Is there anything that can be done?
Surely the grouting manufacturers are soley responsible? My tiler says and have others they have never heard of this before. Anyone eles experienced similar?

Regards
Sandy

 

[Gazzer]

How long after grouting did you wash the floor?

 

[sandeeeee2000]

Hy

I washed the floor about 36hrs later.

Thanks

 

[Alberta Stone]

Get some black concrete stain and have him apply (use a sealer bottle with a brush tip) and then wash.
This time use minimal water.
The problem you have is called efflorescence which occurs when any concrete product is over washed before it is cured.
They have an efflorescence remover on the market, but they only work so well with grout.
Make sure that you get a good sealer onto that grout before you get after it again with water.
So no, you do not have to remove the grout.
Any large dealer of decorative concrete should have the stain on hand or know where it can be found.

 

[grumpygrouter]

What make of grout was it?

 

[sandeeeee2000]

Thanks so much, good to know it's salvagable.

Sandy

 

[sandeeeee2000]

Im sure it's called Bal

sandy

 

[grumpygrouter]

Im sure it's called Bal

sandy

Thanks, that explains it then.

 

[sandeeeee2000]

can your explain it, then i can relay this to my tiler?


thanks
sandy

 

[Gazzer]

If your tiler hasnt heard of efflorescence before i would suggest he isnt a tiler. Its a common problem especially with darker grouts.