Bal Micromax 2 Smoke grout shading

[Jimbhoy1888]

Hi
Just completed a floor area on a new build. 90m2 Vilroy Boch 600x600 Porcelain Matt tile. Tiled onto Hardwood Ply Surface over Underfloor Pipe heating. House is mid construction, no heating, no hot water, no portaloo. Water from a stand pipe.
Problem is Grout joints are now shading lighter in all areas.
Grout was mixed as specified, 4/5 part powder to 1 part water. Grouted area, left for 20/25 minutes cos of cold slow drying process. At same time never left it longer before cleaning off excess grout and smoothing joints. Used Wash Boy minimizing water. 1 wipe off and left to dry and set for 2/3 hours. Finally cleaning again with cold clean water and wash boy.
Is there a product than can be used now like a colour enhancer, colour intensifier, to regain full colour? Or is it a regrouting job and how do we stop this from happening again?
Ive read on the forum a few shading problems with Micromax 2.
Is there a technique to stop this from happening?
Thanks in advance
And hi
JB

 

[diamondtiling]

Hello there,

did you mix the grout by hand? Pictures would be beneficial

 

[thompsonbrown]

You could always give this a try. Its from tradetiler.com

 

[One Day]

Using a washboy will have left too much water on/in the joints.
MM2 is not as sensitive as other grouts to this.
Get a PST out but I think it's too much water.
Freezing cold tiles could also be a factor - not good for adhesive bond onto porcelain either!

 

[jon@j2]

Hi Jimbhoy,had this problem with Mapei 111,after calling out the rep they stated that there grout should be mechanically mixed,although they did say that using to much water should not be used to wipe down,had to regrout.Since then only used Bal micromax,no problems

 

[stone tiler]

I had this on an Ardex dark grey grout. Ardex told me it was either the very low temp of the air/tiles or hard water. I re-grouted in the end as nothing cleaned it up.

 

[Jimbhoy1888]

Thanks for all your replies, looks like a hard lesson learned. Cold conditions and over use of water as per the wash boy. I can post some pictures for future reference. I called the BAL trade helpline and they were very helpful and would send a rep out if needed. There is no colour intensifier so it looks like a regroup job. Sponged by hand and mechanically mix the grout. Hope this post helps any future problems. Thanks again folks

 

[Jimbhoy1888]

diamond tiling .....yes it was mixed by hand. No photos yet as we wont be back for next phase till next week.

 

[Jimbhoy1888]

thomson brown ....we may give TradeTiler a call as I'm a customer of theirs.

 

[Jimbhoy1888]

impish .....yes it looks like its a combination of cold temperature, too much water, joints not drying quick enough.

 

[Jimbhoy1888]

jonj2 .....wont be using too much water next time and it'll be mechanically mixed

 

[Jimbhoy1888]

stone tiler......need some heat next time, not gonna mess about with such cold temperatures and water


Thanks to all again appreciate the feedback

 

[afright]

Yes air temperature is a factor.