grout question

**RichD** · 02-02-2007, 01:44 PM

Re: grout question

tis vry hard to clean...they have some heavy duty grout cleaners at home depot...but its painstaking..and might not even work since the mud is down in the porus grout already...might be just easier to dig it out an regrout...den seal it so you wont have that problem again

**Suesumba** · 02-02-2007, 01:46 PM

Re: grout question

aye!! that regrouting sounds like nuff work. maybe i should just drag mud over the rest of the floor [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/frown.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70394-bawlout.gif[/img]

**RichD** · 02-02-2007, 01:54 PM

Re: grout question

how big an area is it?

**Suesumba** · 02-02-2007, 02:09 PM

Re: grout question

two feet cubed. i'm gonna try bleach.

**RichD** · 02-02-2007, 02:20 PM

Re: grout question

found this:

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Can I correct the color of my grout?

When grout has been stained to the point that it cannot be maintained or returned to its natural color, you can return the grout back to near its original color or any other color through the use of a "grout stain". Some grout manufacturers make grout colors, others will recommend specific brands that they know work with their grout to correct color.

However, grout colorants work best with grout that has not been sealed. Grout that has been sealed, or has been washed with oil-based soaps (Pine Sol, Murphy's Oil, etc.) can be very difficult to color.

Grout Stains are epoxy-based products that are specifically designed to penetrate into the grout and seal the surface with a permanent color. Once the grout has been stained there is no need to seal it any further with a penetrating/impregnating sealer.

Prior to staining, the grout joint should be cleaned thoroughly to remove any dirt, oils, grease or sealers with a professional strength Tile & Grout Cleaner. This can be purchased from most Home Centers or through your local Professional Floor Covering Dealer.

The edge of the tile also makes a difference in the success of the colorant - tiles with well-delineated edges are easier to treat than tiles with a large bevel or textured edge. When the colorant is applied, some will get on the tile - the easier it is to remove from the tile (and the better it sticks to the grout), determines in part how good the finished result appears.

Also, you will want to try a test area since grout treated with a colorant does not look the same as originally colored grout. On the plus side, grout colorants also seal the grout and protect it with an "epoxy-like" finish. Typically, grout that has been treated with a colorant does not need to be sealed.

Cleaning Grout
How do I clean grout?

Cementitious grout, as you may have observed, is porous - it can absorb a stain. Looked at under a microscope, there is a large surface area to absorb stains. For this reason, many owners choose to seal their grout … usually the better the sealer, the more the grout joint is protected. Even better, if epoxy grout is used, it is virtually as stain proof as the tile.

Removing stains from cementitious grout is similar to removing stains from clothing. The same cleaners you might use on clothes to get out a stain should also work on grout.

Keep in mind though, that grout is based primarily of cement and sand. Sand, like glass, is unaffected chemically by most cleaners. Cement is not; rather it is alkaline based and is dissolved by acids. As baking soda and vinegar react, so do grout and vinegar.

Accordingly, it is better to clean grout with an alkaline cleaner (Spic and Span, Mr. Clean, etc.) than an acid based cleaner. There are also specialty cleaners available at most tile retailers that are designed for tile and grout. There are also cleaners with enzymes that attack stains similar to enzyme pre-soaks for laundry.

The same cleaner that works on the grout generally will work well on the tile. In fact, since the tile is usually so easy to clean, the tile can often be cleaned with water.

Just a few more important points: As the grout can absorb the soap as well as a stain - do not clean with oil or wax based cleaners - Murphy's Oil soap, Pine Sol, etc. These products will leave a waxy or oily film in the grout… And, even good alkaline cleaners if not properly rinsed, will leave a sticky soap film. This usually attracts dirt. In fact, truly clean ceramic tile without any sticky soap film will stay very clean as tile does not tend to hold an electrostatic charge (which can attract some kinds of dirt).

The absolutely best way to clean grout is to apply the cleaner and then vacuum ("shop vac") up the dirty water. This lifts the dirt off the joint. Apply rinse water and vacuum that water up. This lifts off any remaining soap film.

Just to mention it, there are tile installers that remove very stubborn stains on grout with an acid (like straight vinegar or a stronger acid). There they have elected to dissolve the top layer of grout molecules so the stain is no longer attached to anything. While this works, it is not recommended by the grout manufacturers - needing to regrout is sometimes the result. Also, extreme care should be used when handling any acids.

Should you be unable to get your grout clean through conventional methods, you may also want to try steam. Some stains that do not respond to conventional cleaners will come clean when subjected to pressurized steam. As a last resort, some installers elect to cut out the grout and regrout. This is possible although care must be taken to not damage or loosen the tile. Generally it is not possible to grout directly over the old grout without cutting the old grout out. The same contaminants that made the old grout dirty may prevent new grout from sticking properly.

</div></div>

**Suesumba** · 02-02-2007, 02:41 PM

Re: grout question

thanks RichD. [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70409-waytogo.gif[/img] mi done did it wid di pine sol areddy, soh mi aggoh try scour it off wid di mister clean [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif[/img]

**kia027** · 02-02-2007, 04:11 PM

Re: grout question

bleach with a toothbrush to scour it out & then seal the grout so ie doan happen again

**Green_Biscuit** · 02-02-2007, 05:03 PM

Re: grout question

I was just gonna say the same as Kia. You can use Clorox Clean-Up with bleach, too. It doesn't smell as bad, and the spray bottle helps you direct it. It does sound like your grout is not sealed. That isn't hard to do, but make sure your floor is sparkling first! (like it wouldn't be. I bet you could eat off your floor)

**Gen** · 02-02-2007, 05:10 PM

Re: grout question

so many contractors out there don't seal the grout ..ugh [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/mad2.gif[/img]

**Suesumba** · 02-02-2007, 05:29 PM

Re: grout question

thank you all. [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70458-applaud.gif[/img] wonderful helpful advice all [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70458-applaud.gif[/img]

**RichD** · 02-02-2007, 05:35 PM

Re: grout question

most of them dont seal it

**Suesumba** · 02-02-2007, 05:39 PM

Re: grout question

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RichD</div><div class="ubbcode-body">most of them dont seal it </div></div>

a matter of costs, or just to annoy consumers? or do they get kickbacks from cleaning product manufacturers? [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/mad2.gif[/img]

**RichD** · 02-02-2007, 05:58 PM

Re: grout question

if the buildng code doest require them to do it they dont

**Suesumba** · 02-02-2007, 06:10 PM

Re: grout question

ah, that should explain why i'm waiting for my furnace cover since december [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif[/img] or why none of the phone jacks were actually installed in the wall

~~~nods~~~

grout question

grout question

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