Black Quartz Floor Tiles

[Damian99]

I had a builder lay these tiles for me but i grouted them with black grout.

I cleaned off the excess grout with clean water and a sponge and cleaned off the haze with a soft cloth. But some of the tiles seem to have gone very dull in certain areas, as if the haze hasn't been cleaned off correctly, even though it has. Done anyone know why this has happened and if there is anything i can do to rectify this problem.

thanks.

 

[brian c]

Did you seal them with an impregnator?these tiles normally need sealed and this could be your problem.

 

[doug boardley]

it does sound as tho' they may have absorbed the water, if this is the case, it would need to expunge before applying a sealer imo

 

[Damian99]

No they were not sealed beforehand. I have sent for some sealer(seems a bit late now) is there anything i can do to rescue the problem areas or is my wife going to give me grief for ever more?

 

[brian c]

As Doug says let them dry out and then try sealing them but imo they should have been sealed after fixing.

 

[Damian99]

ok thanks. Is there anything else i can use on them after sealing then to try and bring some of the shine/sparkle back to them.

Also what should i use to keep them clean on a regular basis.


Thanks for advice

 

[brian c]

try lithofin products.

 

[Damian99]

Please could i also ask how best to apply the sealer.

Thanks

 

[DHTiling]

You need to remove the grout from the tiles pores first before sealing....this will be why they have gone dull..

rub your hand across the tile.....dose it feel slightly coarse compared to the ones that are shiny..?..

 

[Damian99]

Not particularly, they just look as though the polished finish has come off(if you can understand what i mean) The dull areas don't really feel any different to touch.

 

[DHTiling]

Can you upload some pics.....don't use any sealer yet..

 

[Damian99]

If you can't tell from that photo i can take a better one but it wil have to be tomorrow now before i can do that. I can't find the digital camera.

There is quite a bad dull area in the centre of the tile.

 

[DHTiling]

Yep..thats grout haze....you need a residue remover....

 

[Damian99]

Ah right what do you recommend? Once i have used this do i need to bother with a sealer?

 

[DHTiling]

Lithofin cement away...follow the instructions.....if this works then leave to dry..then use lithofin stainstop...

But be pre-warned....they might not come clean....was the grout flexible..?...some times it's the polymers embedded in the tile surface dulling it...

I have heard LTP grimex is good but i have not used it...

Anybody else used it..?

 

[Damian99]

Yes the grout was flexible

 

[doug boardley]

Lithofin cement away...follow the instructions.....if this works then leave to dry..then use lithofin stainstop...

But be pre-warned....they might not come clean....was the grout flexible..?...some times it's the polymers embedded in the tile surface dulling it...

I have heard LTP grimex is good but i have not used it...

Anybody else used it..?

I've used it Dave, and it really is very good!

 

[DHTiling]

Try the cleaner first.....then come back and let us know if that has worked..

 

[DHTiling]

cheers doug.....i have read and heard good reports about the ltp grimex..and their sealers as well...

 

[Damian99]

Ive sent for some stuff to remove grout haze but was wondering as the dull parts of the tile have no difference in feel when you run your hand across the surface as any of the polished tiles, is it really grout haze? Would that not have more of a rough feel to it?

Thanks

 

[DHTiling]

From the photo it looks like hazing in the pores of the tile...they were ok before you grouted...

It is worth trying the haze remover before you start knocking tiles up to replace...don't you agree...?

 

[Damian99]

Definately, as i said i have sent for the stuff and will certainly be giving it a go before i do anything else.

 

[Damian99]

Ive used the grout remover on just one of the dull tiles and it hasn't made any difference whatsoever. Its a depressing me now slightly, any other suggestions? Or do i either take the tiles in question up(which i really don't want to do) or just live with it?

Thanks

 

[DHTiling]

You can't live with it or this thread wouldn't be here...:smilewinkgrin:....

Something has caused them to dull.....probs just bite the bullet and replace them....

The you can chill and admire your floor....or you will always look at it..

 

[Damian99]

Thanks for the help. Will sleep on it and have a check and see how many actually need replacing i think theres about half a dozen or so that really bug me.

 

[Terry Cottar]

Thanks for the help. Will sleep on it and have a check and see how many actually need replacing i think theres about half a dozen or so that really bug me.

why not get someone in to polish them?

tel

 

[Linko]

May be can use some kind of impregnant to clean out the grout , but analyse what kind of grout you use first

 

[enduro]

I would use Aqua mix sealer and coatings remover to remove this haze, its the only on i have found the can remove grout in this situation.

 

[Terry Cottar]

Thats because its busting the ploymers down in the grout but you will still need a haze remover as well

tel

 

[AngieBaby]

Hi, I know you posted this 3 years ago but I just wondered if you sorted it out. I had black Quartz tiles laid in the kitchen in April and they developed a haze that was very smooth. It just looked like the glaze came off. The suppliers arent interested as they said it as grout haze. My builder said I must have cleaned it too soon (with express permission from tiler) and then polished it off! I'm gutted