Hello,
Sorry for the long post, at least you may have a few laughs.
Unfortunately, I had some complications this week with a recently installed backsplash, which has now resulted in a few chipped 3x6 subway tiles (at the corners) and colour variation in the grout (Custom Building Products Prism in steel blue).
The complications started when I was installing the hood fan, which was a few days after the backsplash had been installed. Stupidly, when handling the housewire, I got confused with which circuit was which, and I ended up handling live wires and causing a large spark which burnt one of the subway tiles. Luckily, I didn't get any shock, except for the very bright spark and bang which caught me by surprise!
To try and clean the burn mark I ended up using dissolved baking soda, which worked, but it also whitened the grout. I tried to remove some of this whitened grout with a small flathead screwdriver and re-grout and this appeared to have worked, but when it dried after 3 days, the shade/colour of the repaired grout wasn't the same as the recently installed grout on the rest of the backsplash. This is even though it's from the same packet of grout that was used originally. It's possible I overwashed the excess grout, or the baking soda solution I used to remove the burn mark was still on the original grout - I don't know.
I reached out to the tiler that installed the backsplash and he offered to re-grout the area that was a different shade, provided I cover his gas to come out to the site (around 50km return). I thought this was very kind, given that I caused this mess, and so I accepted.
Anyway, the contractor did remove a bunch more grout with a utility knife (in quite a hasted fashion) and in doing so chipped the corner of 3 tiles. He then re-grouted, cleaned up and left (I should note that he waited about 1minute before washing off the excess grout, which is contrary to the 15-20mins written on the instructions).
Unfortunately, the damage to the 3 tiles is quite visible after the grout has been re-applied, and the difference in shade between the grout that was installed originally and the grout that was re-applied remains (except now it is over a larger area because the tiler spread it out further than I did).
I am not sure if in a couple of weeks the grout will dry/cure the same as the other grout, and also what to do about the 3 tiles that are chipped on the corner. One of these tiles is very close to the centre of the backsplash so it is quite visible from within 6ft. The colour variation is also quite visible. Overall, the current state of the backsplash is disappointing.
I understand from speaking with another tiler that it can be very difficult to get consistent colour and that the grout needs to be installed all at the same time to ensure consistency. I was informed that every batch of grout you mix can vary in colour slightly. So I might have to live with the grout in that section being different.
My questions, are as follows:
1. Are some brands of grout more reliable than others when it comes to color (I am asking in case repairs are needed to the grout in future)?
2. Is it possible to remove the chipped tiles and replace without damaging adjacent tiles?
3. Should I ask the tiler to repair the chipped tiles?
4. The latest touch-up grout was applied 24 hrs ago. The original grout was applied around 5 days ago. Will the grouts end up the same colour in a few weeks or is this wishful thinking?
5. If no, and if I cannot live with the color variation, I understand it may be easier to gut the backsplash and start over. Is this crazy?
Thank you,