Bathroom tiles turned greyish

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

Tiles were sealed first and left 1 day to dry, grout was put 4-5 days ago. Only left panel was done. Tiles are not as white as prior to grouting. It was allot worse but I waited for it to completely dry. Also it looks like I'm seeing picture framing - something I learned on this forum. Not happy with the results, it looks like old tiles. I sealed only the face of tiles not on the sides, learning here that grout won't adhere as well. But if I don't seal the sides it allows for the grout colour to penetrate tiles. How does that work? Mind boggling honestly. Grout colour Snow-White somehow ended being bought wrong and that probably added more sauce to a problem, I actually wanted Bright-White and will use that one on the remaining walls and re-grout the first one. Appreciate all the response!

Tiles: Enigma 2-in Forma Bianco Diamond Cube Polished Marble Mosaics

Sealer: TileLab SurfaceGard Stone, Grout & Tile Sealer

Grout: Polyblend Snow-White Non-Sanded Grout

Featured Answer

Beth H. :

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

first, I wouldn't use that sealer. I would have used a better quality like Miracle 511 or Aquamix. I realize you've already used it, and I don't know if you can use another sealer on top of that one. take some scrap pieces and try it out, if you like.

did you use white thinset to set the tiles? or gray? if the latter, the white in the marble may appear darker.

you have to realize that marble tile sucks up water. it's going to take a few days to a week for the water to evaporate. the marble will lighten. (if you used the white)

give it time.

in a day or two, apply another coat of sealer so that you can get also get the grout. when the tile is fully sealed, water will bead and sit on the top.

for cleaning, I use this, mixed w/water, in a spray bottle.

Oh, NO GROUT in the vertical corners of the walls in the shower, OR the space between shower floor and walls. 100% silcone caulk should go in those spots. It comes in the colors to match your grout

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Comments (8)

acm
5 years ago
I'm not seeing the difference that's bothering you, sorry.
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PRO
User
5 years ago
You wait for it to dry before sealing. You sealed it before it dried and now it will take a lot longer to dry out.
Seth B thanked User
Beth H. :
5 years ago
joseph, incorrect. he only sealed the top. evaporation can happen through the grout. not a big deal.
Seth B thanked Beth H. :
PRO
User
5 years ago
You might want to read and understsnd Pasha Starykov’s experiments with marble. Sealer retards moisture from evaporating, and leads to many complaints about discoloration. https://tilepro-usa.com/tile-pro-blog/f/porosity-of-building-materials-and-marble-moisture-discoloration
Seth B thanked User
PRO
Creative Tile Eastern CT
5 years ago
Pavlo Starykov Has some great articles worth reading. IMO
Seth B thanked Creative Tile Eastern CT
pricklypearcactus
5 years ago
I can't speak to whether the tile is discolored, but going from the shadow (dark) with no grout to a pale (white?) would inherently make the tile look darker visually. If you want to make the tile look more white, you could use a darker grout than the tile. I will say that I think your tile looks gorgeous both grouted and ungrouted. It will be a beautiful shower.
Seth B thanked pricklypearcactus
Beth H. :
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Joseph, (your article compared unmodified mortar bed to a modified mortar and stain resistant grouts. hardly the same as "sealing the tops of your tiles". They're comparing much more than what OP here is asking. did you actually read it??)

I stand by what I said. OP sealing the tops of his tile will have little to no effect on the ability of the mositure evaporation, if he was using basic mortar, and a regular grout.

Plus, one coat of sealer doesn't always completely block water absorption. so in his case, sealing it first may be moot when it comes to evaporation.

there is enough grout for the tiles to exchange gas and evaporate (as well as the tiles themselves, since sealing them does not block this process. water can still get through a sealed tile).

I'd say for the risk of staining or mortar sticking, outweighs the risk of an additional 'day or so' of drying time.

sealing it like he did really isn't going to affect the evaporation. but not sealing it could have cost him more time in removing mortar or grout. And it also might have absorbed much more moisture, which would still need time to evaporate.

Stick a fan on it to speed up the process
Seth B thanked Beth H. :