Removing grout in mosaic pits - Tile Advice

[kelly123]

Hi there,
Wondered if you could help… we’ve just had our bathroom tiled with mosaic tiles. These tiles are textured with pits in them and now that the tiles have been grouted, the grout has also gone into all of the pits, which gives a finished effect that I didn’t want. Luckily the tiles are very pale, but they aren’t white so you can still see the grout in the holes.

I can live with it if I have to but would like to know if there’s anything I can do about it. They were grouted a couple of weeks ago now so the grout has definitely gone off. Even if I can’t do anything about the bigger holes, a lot of the pits are quite small and even getting rid of the grout in them would improve the overall look. Now that the grout has gone off, if I scrubbed with a brush would it work?

Also I’d like to know if the guys that did our tiling should have left it like this? There was loads about what they did that we weren’t happy with and we have spent days putting right what they did. I’m happy with it now, except for this problem.
Thanks!

 

[MICK the Tiler]

Hi Kelly,

Are the mosaic tiles Travetine or Tumbled Marble by any chance?

 

[kelly123]

They are neither... I think they're glass? The ones with a coloured metallic sheen that you see in the light.

 

[wetdec]

Also I’d like to know if the guys that did our tiling should have left it like this? There was loads about what they did that we weren’t happy with and we have spent days putting right what they did. I’m happy with it now, except for this problem.

So you didnt pay them yet right :incazzato:

 

[kelly123]

Don't ask... my fella paid them, he didn't look too closely, I wasn't there but gave them a right earful when I got home... they made a few conciliatory remarks 'if you're not happy, we're not happy... we'll see about a refund' but it was all talk.

 

[davediy]

I put up some mosiac tiles round by daughters bath. i did rub them over an hour or 2 after grouting with a dry dish cloth that got the worst off but next day a vigorous rub with a dry cloth buffed up the tiles and got rid off most off the rest. the odd bit that didn't come off i "encouraged" to shift with a stanley knife blade but be very careful if you try the same. the dry cloth certainly broght up a nice sheen on the tiles. i don't know if grout remover would be any good perhaps someone else has tried it?

 

[MICK the Tiler]

If they are pitted glass try a soft nailbrush and some warm to hot soapy water. grout residue is commom with these type of tiles.

 

[kelly123]

I will give it a go with a brush, thanks.