Grouting Tile

Would the same directions apply to regrouting floor tiles? Mine look horrible right now bec/ the grout is white and I would like to regrout it to a grayer tinted color. Also, is it necessary to complete the room in one go? Can I spread the grouting out over a few days?

MAF,
Before you go to all of this work, why not try my Stain Solver? You will be amazed at how you can make the grout look fantastic in less than an hour!

www.StainSolver.com

Stain Solver may be a temporary solution but white grout on bathroom floor tile is just a big mistake for my household. To re=grout will be quite an undertaking especially w/ the small hex tiles. So can the re=grouting be spread out over a few days an area at a time or does it need to be done all at once? Please provide any other tips not mentioned in your grouting tile article above.

Thanks!

MAF,
Grout all at once. Read all of the grouting columns here at my website.

The floor underneath the tile is unstable, but only in one section. The grout keeps cracking. How do I fix this problem?

Dino,
Make the floor stable. Do whatever is necessary.

I have a problem. We just layed tile in our bathroom. We used distilled water (recommended by the store) followed the directions and our grout turned white. It is suppose to be a tan color. This was done 24 hours ago. Can I try and do the vinegar wash?

Connie,
Stop ! ! ! Let's make sure the grout is the right color. The test to see if you bought the right color is did the grout dry to the same color as it was in the powder form *before* you added the water? Using distilled water should not be an issue. Using inexpensive grout with low-quality water-soluble pigments might be what is wrong. Did you buy a name-brand grout from a tile store, or did you buy a mystery grout from a home center??????

I have some cracks in the grout around the bathroom shower that seem to be due to the shrinkage over the last 3 months. What is the best method to repair or fill in those cracks?

I need to grout a tile countertop. What type of grout would be best. Should I use one of the additives in place of water? I want to do a good job on the countertop that will last and not stain easily. Thanks

We are putting ceramic tile on the walls and floor of our bathroom. Should you grout the walls before laying the floor tiles or can grouting be done all at once?

We retiled our bathroom floor with a friend who knew what he was doing. When we finished he told us to wipe the excess grout from the floor then he went home. We unfortunately did not listen and went to bed. Now our tile is pretty much ruined. Is there any way to clean excess grout from our tiled floor? We used one inch floor tiles.

I recently had ceramic tile installed. Some of the tiles not even with the adjacent tile resulting in some of the tiles appeared to be raised. Also the grout is not even; some of it is below top of the tile. Can another coat of grout be applied to make it all even with the top of the tile or must it all be done over? Must the tile that is slightly higher or lower than the other tile be taken up and replaced? Thank you!

Blake,
Scrape out the old grout and start over. Be sure the house has stopped loosing moisture.

What are your thoughts on using a premixed grout? We just tiled our kitchen countertop with some tile we had left from a bathroom remodel, and there was a full, unopened tub of premixed Tec Accucolor grout that we were going to use. Thoughts?
Also, what is the dry time for it to set for a kitchen countertop before we can A) seal it and B) Drop the sink back in?

Thanks in advance.

I seem to have the same problem as Connie (2/9/08) only I used a grout enhancer recommended by the guy at Lowes and it's not white but a lot lighter than it should be. The edging is the right color but not in between the tiles. The grout did not dry to the color of the grout *before* we added the enhancer. It is the right color when it is wet. I did not seal it yet, does sealing give it that wet look/color???? Can grout sold in a home center really make that much of a difference???

do grout dyes work well???

I just tiled my backsplash, and I have two window trims, outside corners, that I want tile on. In stead of using the tile used in the backsplash, I want to use the trim tile, which are 1/2" x 6" long. The trim around the window (my windows are recessed about 6 to 8") is 1" on each side of the trim. If I use the trim tile, I will not be able to grout it because there will not be room for grout between the pieces. In this case, is the grout important?
A true novice,
Beverly

Ronnie,
Visit a tile store. Buy the most expensive grout they have.

Ben,
I prefer to install the all the wall tile except for the bottom row or base. I leave it ungrouted. Then I install the floor and gout it. The last step is to finish the walls.

P.,
I have a column here about that exact problem. Read it to see what to do.

Dub,
Grout is not going to fix this problem. You either live with it or start over.

Amy,
I tried the premixed ones. They are not too bad.

Susan,
You bet it can. I have never had luck with grout additives. They have always ruined the color of the grout and made it blotchy.

Susan,
Yes, grout stains do a marvelous job.

Beverly,
I can't see it from my house...... You do what you can live looking at the next few years.

Last year we tiled several floors in our house. We used the same name brand of grout in all rooms except the kitchen. All of the floors look great...except the kitchen. The grout in the kitchen keeps falling out. It is like it didn't harden right. The pieces that fall out just crush into sand. We have took whole tiles out and regrouted around them using a new bag of grout, but it still does the same thing. Any suggestions?

I have just had a new house built and the shower has been installed with the ceramic wall tiles installed in a stacked manner ie, butted up against each other with no space left for grout. The only grout is in the area left by the rounded edges of the tiles. This bit of grout is already coming off leaving pin holes between tiles which will allow moisture to to penetrate to drywall behind. Should the builder have to re-do this tile work.
thank you
Ron

Shelley,
Make sure you do not use too much water.

Ron,
I would say Yes. Take a photo of this and then take the photo with you to a local store that just sells tile. Show the photo to the store manager and ask her / his opinion.

We have a 15 KW natural gas Generac backup generator. I've read and heard conflicting info regarding the piping that carrries the natural gas into the generator. Several sources say to use black iron piping. Our plumber installed galvanized steel piping. We heard that galvanized steel can react with the natural gas and cause the piping to flake inside and eventually clog the generator's intake. I contacted Generac and they initially stated that galvanized should not be used. On a later call they said that we should use whatever piping per county/state gas code. So we contacted Howard County Inspection who said that if they passed inspection then it should be OK- also added that the gas supplied by BG&E is a very "dry gas". We live in Howard County, Ellicott City, MD. Our house is serviced by BG&E gas. Is galvanized steel OK to carry the natural gas into the generator for our area?

Thanks,
Rita

Rita,
It is impossible for me to know all local codes. To learn about your code, go to the building department and ask for a copy of that section that deals with fuel piping. The copy of the 2006 IRC I have says that black iron is fine. The answer is really simple. You get the written installation instructions from the generator people and pipe the unit with *one* of the materials they approve AND that meets the code. What do the written instructions say to do?

We are in the process of laying tile, we are now in the grouting process and as we were working the grout it seemed to be getting dry, crumble stage but still moist-somewhat. Do we need to remove what we put in before it dries? We quit using the first batch in fear we would be creating more work later down the road in removal or repairs but I'm afraid we should've done that sooner rather than later. After reading your previous columns, I learned that we should've worked with smaller quantities of grout. What kind of troubles are ahead for us?

Ronny, splurge on a solid counter. Tile countertops are soooo ghetto!!

Natalie,
I think you will discover the grout will fail. Only time will tell, and it ain't talkin' right now...... Next time you start a project, stop by here first for some tips.

hi , was wandering how to install tile around a garden tub ? the front is oval.

Eezynow,
You should read all of my past columns on Installing Ceramic Tile.

Is it typical to use a sanded grout in a shower? The tiles are 1/8 apart. Seems to me that sanded grout in a shower will have to be cleaned much more often than non-sanded grout.

I have tiled a shower with porcelian tile, waited 48 hours and sealed the grout, applied it twice. All products were purchased from The Tile Shop (good materials). The problem is the grout still soaks up water. I applied the same sealer to the floor and water does not soak in like in the shower. Seems that on the vertical walls, it is hard to keep enough sealer on to adequately soak in. I am using a foam brush. Any ideas how to get this grout properly sealed?

what is the recomended spacing for 18" tile have read everything and nothing is coming up.

We are building a small cabin on a cement slab. The slab is terra cotta colored concrete and was scored/cut into 2' squares about 1" deep. The slab has been carefully sealed (leaving the cuts free and clear) with a product called Glo Crete, and now we are ready to finish up and grout. The depth of the space to be filled concerns us. What would you recommend?
Thanks.

Our new floor is terra cotta colored concrete cut/scored into 2 foot squares. The cuts are about 1 inch deep and 1/4 inch wide. We're ready to grout. Do you have any advice about how to handle the extra deep cuts?
Thanks, Amy A.

How can I remove grout that has dried on my porceline tile without damaging the tile?

Just looking

my grout turned a whiteish film also as connie but i used a good name brand what is the problem?

Is Biz mixed into a paste an effective grout cleaner.(New ceramic tile)I read your response to this question in the Chicago Tribune site, but not sure about the Biz. Thank you.
Arlene

I have had a tiler lay 600x600 terrazo on my terrace. The terrazo was unsealed. The copmany I bought the tiles from recommended Davco Grout Cure Additive to be added to the grout as it would also be filling the holes in the terrazo. The tiler used it but did not follow the instructions and did not clean it off properly within the curing time. I now have a film of grout which though it looks powdery is so strong that I cannot scrub it off. The manufactuter, on the bottle, recommends adding mineral turps to the water to clean if left for more than 24 hours but as the terrazo is not sealed I was advised not to use oil based products as they would stain the tiles. The film is so thin that when the tiles are wet it is invisible. Is there any product or process you can recommend to clean this off the tiles?

Patrick

Is it easier to use a pouch to do the grout or is it easier to use the float. My bathroom is 5 ft.x 6ft.

Can you make the grout space between tiles too wide? If so, what are the drawbacks. I am placing 18in. slate and don't know how wide to space.

I had a tile floor installed last year onto my concrete slab in my kitchen (home is 7 years old). There was a crack on one side of the concrete but the installers patched it. However, I've noticed that in the exact location where the crack was, the grout has tiny cracking lines. What should I do? It isn't noticeable unless you lie on the floor and look for it but should I do something now before it gets worse?

hello. do you have any knowledge of how i could add a flouescent compound into my grout while mixing it so that my tile rug's grout can then pick up (reflect) a black light a nd glow? i remember seeing this avaialble as an additive years ago and can not find any current info. hope you can help me. laurie

we just finished laying porcelin tile in our kitchen. There is alot of thin set in the joints and the sides of the tiles. Does this all need to be cleaned out first? Does the grout have to go all the way to the cement floor? Thanks.

What's the answer to Ronny Potts. Grouting counter-tops.

Im doing a steamshower and wanted to know more about the new grout out there. Is it better for use steamshower?

After I put down my tile, how long do I have to wait before I can Grout?

I have just installed tumbled marble tile for a kitchen backsplash and I'm getting ready to do the grout work. I am using a similar color grout. Should I seal the tiles first to prevent any staining? Will the sealer have any effect on the grout curing to the tiles?

Thanks
Brian

Even though we sealed our grout in the kitchen it still stains quite easy. How would the grout hold up if I painted it to match the tile?

I think I have made a big mistake. I tiled a shower that only had green board behind it and I used a 1/4 inch grout line. Besides tearing it all out and starting over. What can I do to salvage the job? I have not grouted yet. Is there and additive to add to sanded grout that might help me?

how much grout do i need for 278sq.ft. of tile?

I just finished tiling our new basement floor. I am now ready to grout. Do I grout clear to the wall or leave the small space. Of course the edge will be covered by trim. Thank you

hi,Idid my mathroom floors yesterday.This morninr the grout line should be quite dark and its very light,when you wet it its great ,it dries its so terrible.I used non sanded grout from home depot.please help

Just watching. Curious to see if sanded grout will be ok in 16 x 16 floor tile with 1/8" joints.

i just tiled my kitchen floor and my wife does not like the look of the dry grout, but likes the look of the wet grout how can i achieve this wet look on the tile and grout?

I just moved into a house that was built over 5 years ago and stood empty until 3 months ago. The counter tops in the kitchen are ceramic tile. Whoever put it in did a lousy job. The tiles are uneven heights, the spacing varies everywhere and when they grouted they just packed it in and didn't sponge it. The grout has high spots and low spots and places where it goes up onto the tile way too far. Also, it was never sealed. The problem is it was done years ago and it has hardened. Is there a way to scrape or sand down the uneven high spots? How about using a Dremel with a shaping tool like one of those grinder bits that look like they are made out of blue sand? I really don't want to have to regrout and besides, with the uneveness of the tile I don't think using a rubber float to apply it will work very well. Please help.

Why does the new grout on the floor change color when wet? By the end of the day it looks dry again. But it takes all day.

how long should i wait after grouting the tile to walk on it and or apply searer to it

My husband just put new tile in a small bathroom. Once the grout dried it is cracked and is pulling away from the tile. Can he apply new grout over the first layer of grout? He followed directions for the grout. Why did it crack?
Thank you.

I am installing tile over a tub/shower surround. Is it possible to 'grout' using white silicon caulk, and then apply the grout (for color and texture) to the caulk before it cures?

I have the same question as Blake made on February 18th. How do you fill in cracks in the grout in the bathroom shower? Is there any special care for cleaning mildew off of the grout in the shower?

We just had our bathroom remodeled. The grout looks great, and the tilers put some kind of latex caulking on top of the grout in the corners of the new stall, but it won't stay. It either gets mushy and washes away or just dries up and peels off. The tiler says that's normal and acceptable, but then I don't understand why they put it down in the first place. Is it normal or even necessary?

I had porcelain tiles installed in my upstair bathroom last year. I noted the grout was cracking around the edges of the tiles and asked the installer to repair. The last repair was two weeks ago and the grout is cracking and crumbling already. What can I do? Do I need to redo the grouting again? Is there a quick fix??

we just purchased "Ivory SandArt Tiles" (I believe it is some kind of stone, or at least I hope so.) My question is now I am not sure if I bought the right color GROUT. Do you think "ALMOND" is to dark? Incidently this is for my kitchen wall with a backsplash.
Thank you in advance for your help.
Kathy

Tim, We grouted our tile 4 days ago. It has some dips in it that make it look darker in areas. Should we try and fill in the dips or will that make the color look even more uneven? The color is called Light smoke, which is a tan color. Also, what kind of sealer do you recommend? Thank you.

Hi Tim,
I starting my newly tiled bathroom walls, and applied way too much to the point I failed to remove all excess grout. The tiles I have are textured and grout remained in the depressions. I've been removing that excess grout, now dried and hard, with a tiny plastic screwdriver- but it is a very painfull job... Is there any product or chemical I could use to dissolve that excess grout accumulated on the tiles, to clean them up?
Thanks a million
Pablo

i am about to grout a bathroom floor in light grey, what is the best and smoothest grout to buy ready mixed

I bought a grout sealer and it was clear for the firt 100 squ ft then the last section dried white. I would like to remove it. I tried a cleaner and it did not work. To regrout do I have to clean out the original grout and if so what is the best way to do this.

Tim. I just tiled on the weekend, I applied the grout as recommended but the colour washed out in some places, as well the grout did not completely fill the gap. My question is, can I re-apply grout over the new grout and if so how? Thanks for your time.
Tyler.

My back splash is in the kitchen, the question is do I need to scrape out the old grout before putting in the new grout or can I just float over the old grout?

I have black tiles 25 X 40 with a grey marble effect floor to cealing in my bathroom with silver trim n bath,glass and silver shower surround with white base,white vanity unit and toilet. but my wife cannot make her mind up on grout colour black or white what would you suggest and have you got any pitures to show an example

Thanks

Hello Tim,

I see a couple people have experienced the problem I am having with my grout color. I carefully chose a golden buffy colored grout, TEC XT AccuColor. I had heard to be careful with using too much water and relayed this numerous times to the installer. Apparently too much water was used and my grout is gray-white instead of buff colored. He says it's the color it should be. It looks kind of fuzzy and odd to me and I can see the correct, beautiful buff color along the edges where there wasn't so much wash-up water used. I have tried their acid wash and it does not appear to be removing all the white salts and restoring the color to buff. This is not a cheap grout. It is actually more expensive than usual and high quality. How common is it for pigments to be washed out?

What is the problem here and can I do anything else about it? I scrubbed the grout lines with a toothbrush and the 50/50 application, per instructions. TEC did say there was an enhancer. I'm guessing this will make it the color when wet, which is too dark and not a very pretty color. Kind of like cardboard rather than a soft golden buff color.

I am very frustrated with this and don't understand why the color is so touchy.

i would lke to know how do i mix grout and put it between the tiles. i have the grout and the right color?

Hi! We have a giant room. Can we tile the whole room, grout one day and finish another? I guess my question is: Does it make a noticable difference if I start and stop? Your hint to mix all bags of the sand grout together before beginning the process was most helpful. Thank you for your time.

Respectfully,

Candy Harlan

Best tip I received for grouting, especially when solo, is to use a clean and a dirty 5 gallon bucket.

Rinse the sponge often always in the dirty bucket first to get most of the grout out. with only one bucket I was running constantly to clean the bucket.

I just had a shower tiled. The installer sealed the grout but there is one corner at the floor where the grout seems to stay wet. I let it dry out and sealed it again, but it still does not repel the water and the grout always looks wet. He used sanded grout. Should he have used unsanded? Should I try to reseal it again?
Thanks

About 6 months ago we remodeled kitchen. I had a new counter put in and ceramic tile floor and backsplash. The grout that is between the ceramic tile back splash and the counter, keeps cracking and coming away from the wall. (Especially behind the sink faucet area.) But aslo in another area. Also the adhesive on one tile that is under the counter near the floor came loose. The tile man put the same tile on the base of the cabinet instead of base molding and it let loose. Is there some other type of sealer I could use instead of grout and what would that be? Also was kind of adhesive can I get, just a small amount to replace that tile under the cabinets?
I am so discouraged. Paid a lot of money thinking this would last for at least 5 years and not even a year has gone by. Thank you for help.

Hi,
I have ceramic tile with 1/2" grout spaces. I also have two dogs who's nails keep digging up the grout. I tried every sealer. Do you know of any substance, besides concrete, that would harden the grout so that the dogs nails will not mark it up?
Thanks!

I have tiled and grouted my bathroom floor twice in the last three years. My grout keeps crumbling. I have followed the directions exactly for mixing the grout and cleaning and sealing. What do you think I am doing wrong. I use a Portland Cement Grout which I have purchased from a Home Depot store.

My bathroom tiles grout is darker as the tiles r ivory plus the bathroom floor tile grout too is same... Its very old i guess and no regrouting had been ever done... And also the lining around the bathtub and the walls its so ugly... We r nt going to stay in this house for longer than a couple of yrs br when i have guests over i
ts embarassing... Im planning to regrout it myself...It shouldnt take too long as my bathroom is too small! Please help me with ideas as to how i can get the grout and sealant... I prefer buying it online. Please help!

Is there something that I can put over the shower floor to seal the whole thing? Like a spray on sealer. I have a new install that seems to have the grout coming out in places. I have re-grouted & sealed it, but this continues. Thanks