Browse Forums Flooring & Floor Covering 1 May 11, 2008 10:49 pm We've just had new tiles laid throughout the kitchen and dining area, but there is a sort of hazy layer of grout that's been left on top of the tiles. I've tried mopping them (5 times today!) with a weak vinegar solution, and although its better, its still there. Can anyone suggest a way to get rid of this hazy stuff?
Thanks lots Re: grout haze left on new tiles 2May 11, 2008 11:57 pm Hi MJ,
It can require different approaches, depending on a few factors such as type of tiles and type of grout. This page from the Aquamix site has both a PDF and a powerpoint presentation showing the process using white nylon pads and nanoscrub. http://www.aquamix.com.au/procedures.php More general instructions are here... http://www.aquamix.com.au/pdf/problem-solving/PS01.pdf In some cases, other products or procedures may be required. This shouldn't be your problem anyway! The tile contractor should have finished the job properly. Ash. Re: grout haze left on new tiles 4May 12, 2008 9:54 am Thanks so much Ash. Yep, I'm in Perth NOR. I'll try the DIY approach today if I can get my hands on some of this aquamix stuff and failing that I'll be in touch for some pro help!!
One more question - can tell me where I might get the AquaMix Grout Haze clean-up product from? I seem to have spent the last 2 weeks cleaning up after various people who have been in to do work on the house - I'd assumed this was the norm Re: grout haze left on new tiles 5May 12, 2008 11:07 am Crosby Tiles in Osborne Park carry Aquamix products.
The name suggests that grout haze clean up sounds like the appropriate product, but it might come up fine with Nano. Go to Crosby's with as much info as you can, and they should be able to suggest the best way to do it, and furnish you with what you need. Ash. Re: grout haze left on new tiles 8May 13, 2008 1:43 pm Update: I tried polishing with a dry cloth but it didn't budge it. Went to purchase either the Nano stuff or the grout haze remover yesterday. I was ASSURED that they would be too strong for what i needed and that all I would need was a heavy duty tile and grout cleaner - I quote "its worked for everyone with this problem so far". Well... I guess I'm the first person that it didn't work for I called them to suggest that they might have recommended the wrong product but was told to try again, using it full strength and leave it on for longer. Still didn't work. Anyhooo, I seem to be having more luck with good old vinegar. Have to use it really strong though so I have to wash it off pretty quickly so it doesn't ruin the grout that's meant to be there. My house smells like a fish and chip shop! Re: grout haze left on new tiles 9May 13, 2008 1:56 pm MJ,
I'm VERY surprised to hear that they didn't offer more helpful advice. Will PM you the way to cut to the chase and have a quick solution. You are sort of on the right track with the vinegar. The grout haze (residue) is broken down by the acid, but yes, it is also attacking the grout in the grout joints too. There are better ways. Heavy Duty Tile & Grout Cleaner is an alkaline cleaner for removing soiling, and doesn't help much with grout haze. As I said before, there are different products and approaches that may be most appropriate, depending on various circumstances. Look out for my PM. Ash. Re: grout haze left on new tiles 10May 13, 2008 4:32 pm May I ask what type of tiles they are?
Are they polished porcelain tiles? Re: grout haze left on new tiles 12May 13, 2008 5:27 pm I am not sure if this will help and I recommend to ask someone in the know first, but we had exactly the same problem as you when we tiled downstairs. I mopped and mopped for so long with no results. Then the lady from the tile shop recommended a weak solution of some sort of acid. I think it was hydrochloric? I could be wrong but man it worked a treat. And the tiles and grout are all great.
But yeah, perhaps ask someone first. sandra Re: grout haze left on new tiles 13May 13, 2008 10:24 pm sandra77 I am not sure if this will help and I recommend to ask someone in the know first, but we had exactly the same problem as you when we tiled downstairs. I mopped and mopped for so long with no results. Then the lady from the tile shop recommended a weak solution of some sort of acid. I think it was hydrochloric? I could be wrong but man it worked a treat. And the tiles and grout are all great. But yeah, perhaps ask someone first. sandra NOT Hydrochloric You are probably thinking of phosphoric acid. This is one way of dealing with this, but NOT if the grout is newish. At least about 10 days after grouting, it may be used with certain precautions. Ash. Re: grout haze left on new tiles 14May 13, 2008 10:30 pm heh heh I like this smiley!! I must try to find a way to use it in context!!
So if its not fixed within 10 days I can revert to the heavy stuff. Still waiting to hear back from your man at Aqauamix Ash. Re: grout haze left on new tiles 15May 13, 2008 10:43 pm OK lets get a few facts into the open........
What date did the tiler finish the job? Can you identify the grout type? How soon after the grouting did you start attempting to clean the haze. Who told you to mop with vinegar, and how did you apply it to the floor? About how many square metres of floor is there? BTW did you ring A'nge or email? Ash. Re: grout haze left on new tiles 16May 13, 2008 11:19 pm royalblue What date did the tiler finish the job? Last saturday 10th May (3 days ago) royalblue Can you identify the grout type? Its called "Coloro Tile Grout, Arcitechtural Range Superfine" royalblue How soon after the grouting did you start attempting to clean the haze. Sunday morning - the day after, just with warm water, then tried adding vinegar as a weak solution which didn't do much - have had to use it neat for any results. royalblue Who told you to mop with vinegar, and how did you apply it to the floor? Ummm can't remember this one - might have been good old google. All I know is I tried it and its worked better than the heavy duty tile & grout cleaner that I bought! I applied it just by pouring vinegar onto the middle of each tile so I avoided the grout lines as much as possible. Then I agitated it with a scrubbing thing, left it for a few minutes, then mopped it off with lots of clean water and buffed it dry with a towel. royalblue BTW did you ring A'nge or email? rang and left a message. MJ Re: grout haze left on new tiles 17May 13, 2008 11:35 pm MJ,
A'nge is very attentive when he's available. He may be away or something. He is the best to speak to, but my feelings are that your best option is to take back the HDT&G cleaner, and ask them to exchange it for Nanoscrub. They should have sold you that in the first place! As per the first link I posted, use Nanoscrub and a white nylon pad on a doodlebug. Follow the instructions in the link. It is hard work if you have a decent sized floor. Will build the muscles up! Do a small section at a time. The grout is still fairly fresh, (not cured) and I'd suggest you stop using vinegar or any acids at this stage. Ash. Re: grout haze left on new tiles 18May 14, 2008 10:02 am Are they a vitrified porcelain in a solid/mono tone colour?
Or are they a glazed porcelain? I assume there probably vitrified Re: grout haze left on new tiles 19May 15, 2008 12:44 am Zedman Are they a vitrified porcelain in a solid/mono tone colour? Or are they a glazed porcelain? I assume there probably vitrified Erm, I'm really not sure. Are glazed porcelain ones glossy? These ones are not glossy at all, and not a solid colour. They are a creamy colour that is almost speckled-ish (for want of a better term!). you need a fridgie to answer but I would think you vac the whole system then add gas if you have a leak, unless it is new install with the gas already loaded, in that case… 1 3651 Old Home Restoration / Renovation Hi, just discovered all these junks left behind under the floor. Could any of these be asbestos? Best to leave as it is or clean up? Thank you for your thoughts 0 8059 Hi everyone, Have just put a shower in the laundry and after only using it 2-3 times have noticed staining on the grout. The tiles were glued onto a concrete wall after… 0 5447 |