Software
Houzz Logo Print
shawmu24

Grout help! Can grout be corrected?

8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago





Our contractor just finished our floor tile and the grout looks awful. It’s discolored/marbled (in some areas, overfilled, and the lines aren’t even. He is claiming the grout is bad and that it must haven risen overnight. I did a sample with grout from the same bag and it’s completely fine. Is there a way to rectify this or does the entire floor have to come out?

Comments (16)

  • 8 years ago

    Floor doesnt need to come out, but the grout would if you wanted to replace it. The sooner the better as it hardens as it sits. What type of grout was used? Was/Is it mixed properly?

  • 8 years ago

    It’s been two days since it was installed and with the amount of grout lines, I would think it would be easier to remove and replace the floor than the grout. He claims he mixed it properly. It’s the excel pro grout from The Tile Shop.

  • 8 years ago

    My sample turned out fine.

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    Needs re-do pronto.

  • 8 years ago

    Do you think he mixed it incorrectly? Used too much water?

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    " the grout has risen" ?? huh? is it mixed with yeast or is it Jesus? the grout didn't rise. your tile guy didn't clean it well enough. oh wait,,he's not a tile guy, he's your contractor. hmmm.

    If you used the same grout in the sample then why is he saying 'bad grout' ? I know,,,because he screwed it up and doesn't want to cop to it.

    Excel Grout is a fast setting grout. If he spread it all out and didn't go back quickly enough to wipe it down, it had already hardened to the point where the sponge wasn't going to clean it. with this grout you have to work in small sections, wiping as you go.

    I sure hope you haven't paid him. don't. The fact that he's blowing smoke up your butt trying to tell you the "grout has risen", says loads about his integrity.

    he's going to have to take a dremel or another hand tool and scrape away what he can.

    did he also use the Admix w/the grout??

    and for the record, I would never buy any products from the Tile Shop.

  • 8 years ago

    Risen overnight? That is too funny! Don't know how he kept a straight face saying that bit of nonsense.

  • 8 years ago

    We asked him to replace the floor at his expense and he quit. He has not yet paid the plumber the $2600 he's owed and said if we want the wood for the wall paneling for the bathroom walls, we owe him another $500. We've supplied him with 2 draws, totaling half of his quote.

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    No actually he quit before he did your tile/grout work. He just didn't tell you. Possible he quit long before that, the work just hasn't shown itself yet.

  • 8 years ago
    In case you plan on having the grout removed, it's very difficult to do a good job without chipping and scratching the tile edges. Sorry you are going through this..
  • 8 years ago

    Inquire about the laws in your State re: mechanics liens. In some States you will have to pay the plumber...in others the contractor will have to pay him. Document (photos & emails) the floor issues in anticipation of an action in "small claims court". I have found that a $100 bill on the attorney's desk gets a straightforward answer. Always get the legal stuff out of the way first. Sorry this happened to you.

    Do not take offense at the humorous remarks by Beth & Creative Tile, they weren't meant to offend you. When those two Pros are "pushed over the edge", you know the contractor's reason is "one for the books".

  • 8 years ago

    Is it possible that this will wear down enough to be acceptable to you?

    Your sample does look fantastic, for sure, but how do they both look from 3-4 feet away?


  • 8 years ago

    you asked him replace and he quit. how convenient for him. is he licensed? I would file a complaint against him w/the state contractors board. If owes your plumber and doesn't pay, the plumber can put a lien on your property if you don't pay him. Do the plumber and he know each other (or worked on jobs together)?

    He quit but will still do the wall paneling? oh hell no. I wouldn't let him do anything else. I would not give this guy another dime. I would not give him anything until he settles w/the plumber and fixes your tiling. If he refuses, file the complaint.

    you didn't post pictures of the entire tile job. do you have any pics of how he prepped your walls prior to tiling? any idea on waterproofing? I'd like to know what else he may have done incorrectly. don't you?

  • 8 years ago

    He’s not installing the wood paneling..he ordered the wood for it along with the chair molding and painted it. He said we have to pay $500 if we want it. We understand we’ll have to pay the plumber and now have to buy new tile and find someone to finish the entire bathroom.

    My husband checked in as he was prepping the shower and it’s been inspected by the city so hopefully, that was done correctly. I don’t have pics. He and the plumber do not know each other as he had to find a plumber mid job since he didn’t have one lined up prior to starting demo, setting us back 2 weeks.


  • PRO
    8 years ago

    shawmu24:


    Tile are the least of your worries. The cops will be charging you with murder soon because your contractor will die of embarrassment when he sees this thread.