Ask Builders
Add question
  • Questions
  • Tags
  • Builders
  • Help

How do I clean joints that have turned gray?

Asked 11 months ago.
Active 11 months ago.
Viewed 986 times.
  • grout joints
  • tiles
2

Some grout joints between tiles are still gray even after a year, even though the grout was brown. Of course, we did a lot of wet cleaning and also tried a grout cleaner. But that only resulted in contaminating a few tiles, not really getting the grout "clean".

Does anyone have any advice on grouting the joints or how to put the tiles back in place, otherwise I will have to clean 2 or 3 again?

asked 11 months ago
Author avatar
242houseHolder
Author avatar

Answers

3

All home remedies whose aqueous solutions react acidically should be used with caution with cement building products (in this case: mineral grout)!

The reason for my advice is that acidic grouts destroy the (alkaline) cement stone found in all cement-based building chemicals. As a result, it inevitably also loses its strength, slowly rubs out of the joint chamber or, conversely, crumbles. There can be no "longevity" of coloring mineral grout mixes. Especially not in highly stressed components such as ceramic tile floors. It is inevitable that contaminants of all sorts will settle in the joints or on the grout. And they cannot always be dissolved by an acidic environment. Especially grease cannot be dissolved by acidic media.The problem that plagues you from an optical point of view is known from practice.

There is only one satisfactory solution, but it requires some effort: Joint renewal.

You can get the old grout out by using what is known as an oscillating saw, which is also known as an "ambulance" for cutting old plaster bandages.The new joint compound should be well-painted by the manufacturer. It may be a little more expensive than the standard cement-gray grout mix, but visually it will keep the overall impression longer. If, however, the original color has more or less changed from brown to gray, it indicates that the mixing was not done optimally at the time or that the addition of coloring pigments was kept to a minimum.

answered 11 months ago
Author avatar
304The Red Gorilla
Author avatar
I think it is unlikely to be a "weathering" process. It looked to me more like construction dust is still in the pores. 
– houseHolder  11 months ago
1

Which is dirty now? The grout or the tiles?

Generally both are cleaned after installation, you can also do it yourself with a grout remover. I would also clean the grout with a small steam cleaner.

answered 11 months ago
Author avatar
434Raginmar Mart
Author avatar
In a few places the grout is still light gray, not brown like I said it would be after a few cleanings. And in the basement, I tried grout cleaner, vinegar essence and the like, but apparently the tiles suffered. 
– houseHolder  11 months ago
Answer this question

Related

  • Large-format tiles vs small-format tiles
  • Should the tiles be removed along with the concrete or not?
  • When should you put silicone grout on tiles in a new building?
  • How can I remove the tiles from the particle board?
  • Do white moldings go well with tiles?
  • How to remove the stains from the floor tiles?
  • How long after the screed can be laid tiles on the walls?
Log in Join
Privacy Policy・Terms of Service