Tiling Disaster

8 years ago

We've recently tiled our kitchen, living room and hallway (105sq meters) with a tile that looks like polished concrete which I absolutely loved until the grout went in. It has dried out white and now all I can see when I look down the hallway are white lines rather than a beautiful polished concrete floor!! Is is possible to redo this and how much work would be involved? I now don't even like the look of them which is so upsetting.

Featured Answer

Emma Finlay

8 years ago

Tile paint applied with a fine brush gives a wonderfully resilient finish to grouting, and you should be able to find lots of colour choice.

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Comments (18)

Monica
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
You could try clean them with some mineral spirit, have you got a picture of them??? You should be able to easily rectify the problem its just the fine residue clinging to the slightly porous surface. Try some white spirit then wash everything with a mild soap solution, I bet it will come good again. Good luck
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aineos
Original Author
8 years ago
Hi Monica, my problem is the colour of the grout - its a lot whiter than I thought and as a result it 'frames' each tile making the grout stand out and not the tiles. I've taken pics of close up so you can see. I think the job of taking the grout out and re-doing it is a big job but wanted an idea how difficult before I speak to tiler!!
Matthew Decorator
8 years ago
Personally I love it and think it looks brilliant

If you really don't like it you can get grout Pens which repaint the colour. I think they're brilliant.

I've seen a grey one before so that should take your eye off of it.
aineos thanked Matthew Decorator
Monica
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I am so sorry I totally misunderstood that, I would just use some paint over it like suggested. Use a smallish paintbrush and have a wet rag ready paint liberally then use the wet rag to wipe off the tiles straight away, looks fabulous by the way xx4
PRO
Casa Ceramica Tile Company
8 years ago
Good evening, when grouting it's likely that the tiler used too much water to wash the excess grout away leaving it to pool on the grout lines often causes the polymers in the grout to sit on the surface giving the white appearance. Also the staining on the tile will be grout haze again left by the tiler during the washing off stage. This can be removed using special cleaners ( we recommend Lithofin products) it is important to neutralise the surface with plenty of clean water. I would advise the use of a wet vac.
aineos
Original Author
8 years ago
Thank you. Do you think if we wash it off properly and then maybe use a grout 'pen' if necessary that that should do the job? The tile is called cemento lapato so it does have a mottled affect. Really appreciate the advice.
PRO
Casa Ceramica Tile Company
8 years ago
You may not need to use a grout pen, I would just try an inconspicuous area first. Is it the Cemento lappato from Viva the NR.21 collection?
aineos
Original Author
8 years ago
Great will try that. Not sure, they're Italian and I think the company is Emil Ceramica
Jonathan
8 years ago
Just to get this straight....... You don't like the white grout..... The tiles are fine...... There is no residue on them.

You can get the grout raked out and a new grout put in. A grey would tone better and not get dirty like white grout will the first time you wash the floor.
aineos
Original Author
8 years ago
Yes that's right. It was a grey grout but came out this way when washed off and now I really don't like the look of it. I agree with you, a grey would be a better tone - just didn't know how big a job it was going to be as the floor area is quite big.
User
8 years ago
It looks beautiful. Please post more pics when you've sorted out the grouting :)
aineos thanked User
Jonathan
8 years ago
The tiler will grumble as it is hard work but it can be done
Emma Finlay
8 years ago
Grout pens are a nightmare, the nibs fray and fall out, or at least that was my experience, over several attempts and different brands. I wish you luck, but you'll get it sorted and it will be gorgeous. You'll look back on this one day...!
aineos thanked Emma Finlay
Matthew Decorator
8 years ago
I've used grout pens on 3 different occasions and except one that had been opened and dried out I've had no problems. In fact one of them was painting over white grout that was basically yellow through dirt, over a year ago and it's still pure white
aineos thanked Matthew Decorator
Emma Finlay
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
What brand did you use Matthew? And over what kind of size of area?
PRO
Casa Ceramica Tile Company
8 years ago
If the grout was supposed to be white but has come out grey then there is either an issue with the grout or this is as I described before. I certainly wouldn't use a grout pen until you have looked at cleaning the residue from it. If this is polymer residue then the grout pen would only stick to this so would probably wear off and become patchy. If there is an issue with the grout then you should speak to the manufacturer, this does happen on occasions and they will check it if they are a reputable company. Who was the grout manufacturer?

Email Ceramica is the group of companies which Viva belongs to. So I suspect that this is the tile I mentioned. I know the tile as we sell it, the tile is very good quality.

Speaking as a tiler with 18 years experience if the grout was grey and has come out white then it can only be the issues I have described. Cleaning should definitely be your first option.
aineos
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks, I'm going to start with cleaning and see where we go from there. The grout was grey but seems to have washed out white. I'll let you know how we get on.

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