Problems with builder around wood-look tile grouting

7 years ago

Our custom builder allowed us to select a wood-look porcelain tile to be installed throughout our brand new home. We chose an unsanded chocolate grout to go with our tiles and we asked for the thinnest grouted lines possible. Due to so many trades going in and out of the house after the tile was laid, we never saw the discoloration of the grout until the builder hired a pro cleaning company to deep clean the tile. We were so disappointed to see the end result(pics attached). Throughout the home, there is no uniformity in the grout color. Most areas show a grey-white grout haze. The builder has had two different pro crews out to take all sorts of chemical solutions to see if it would lift up off the grout...to no avail. We are going to try applying a porcelain sealer on a section to see if that will penetrate the grout and darken it up. For the pros out here, thoughts on what you’re seeing? I suspect a poor job by the tile installer and also suspect the only solution is to re-grout which I know the builder doesn’t want to do $$$$. Any advice is appreciated! We are desperate.

Featured Answer

PRO

User

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

An epoxy grout colorant is a great choice to ensure uniform coloration. It holds up well for years, even in a wet location like a shower. Any installer that doesn’t want to do it, doesn’t want to do it because it’s a labor intensive pain to do. Or, they didn’t strip the sealer prior to applying if they get peel. It should only be applied to unsealed, unadulterated with cleaning residue, grout. It will bond even to the new urethane or latex based grouts if applied correctly.

A correct product, applied correctly, are the key words. Incorrect product selection and application, like with your unsanded overwashed grout, always creates issues. That should have been a microfines grout, like MAPEI Ultracolor Plus FA, or one of the polyurethane or acrylic groups, like Flexcolor CQ , and shouldn’t have been overwashed. If, as you indicated, you dictated the grout choice, you share a bit in the blame for the result. You should split the cost of the grout colorant job with the installer.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

User
7 years ago
Look at other color choice I just chose earth looks more chocolate on my screen:). It’s easy but a bit oftime involved definitely a dyi job
Beau Selisker
Original Author
7 years ago
I’ve been told by countless installers not to use this product as it effectively looks like a latex paint film over the grout and comes off after the first cleaning
Related Professionals
Hot Springs Home Remodeling · Greenville Home Remodeling · Flagstaff Home Remodeling · Boise Home Remodeling · Wenatchee Home Remodeling · Lake Charles Bathroom Remodelers · Pittsfield Interior Designers & Decorators · Kahului Interior Designers & Decorators · Panama City Architects & Building Designers · Abilene Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Idaho Falls Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Ashland Flooring Contractors · Bronx Flooring Contractors · Austin Kitchen Remodelers · Yakima Kitchen Remodelers
Beau Selisker
Original Author
7 years ago
@The Cook’s Kitchen
Beau Selisker
Original Author
7 years ago
Do you have examples of epoxy colorant products you recommend? I was shown a Mapei color chart, selected the color....and they used a different brand with similar color
PRO
User
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
A high performance modem grout is a lot more expensive than the old sanded or I sanded grouts. For a reason. Technology. Choosing a cheaper product, and the wrong product was an error. They should have discussed this with you, given you the change order upcharge, and used the top quality product. You wouldn’t be having this issue. Installers used to old fashioned grouts don’t like it, because it’s more work and requires a helper to be sure it’s cleaned in a timely manner. So it’s an upcharge on labor as well as materials. But it’s a once and done.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/MAPEI-Flexcolor-CQ-1-Gallon-Cocoa-Acrylic-Premix-Grout/50360276

You can still go over what is there with a colorant. But only provided that it’s steam cleaned of any of their “cleaning” residue, , allowed to dry, and there is no grout loosening or coming out of the joints. You have to wipe it with a clean white rag and make sure there is no residue coming off after cleaning. That would indicate an improper mix with too much water in it.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/MAPEI-Grout-Refresh-8-fl-oz-Cocoa-Ceramic-Porcelain-Tile-Grout-Sealer-Squeeze-Bottle/999977878