Coloured grout has stained tiles

[kruizcoli]

Hi there,
I hope someone can help. My boyfreidn and I are doing up an old house. We have been tiling the bathroom floor but have hit a problem. We have used Ba dn Q ceramic floor tiles dark beige, unibond rapid set floor tile adhesive and unibond floor tile grout for bathrooms, kitchens and hallways in a dary grey. We have done half the floor. The problem is that many of the tiles have become very stained after grouting with either large splotches or all having a grey stain. Should we have sealed the tiles first? There was no information on the packs about this. What can we now do about these tiles? We have tried scrubbing them just with warm water but to no effect. How else can we clean them? We want to do the other half of the floor. My boyfriend grouted 6 tiles at a time before wiping up an excess grout. So the grout was only on the tiles for 5 minutes. Is this too long? Why has this happened, can we fix it and how can we prevent it happeing in the other half?
Any advise appreciated,
Louise

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

Hi and:welcome: any pics? are the tiles definitely ceramic?

 

[Bolter]

Hi there,
I hope someone can help. My boyfreidn and I are doing up an old house. We have been tiling the bathroom floor but have hit a problem. We have used Ba dn Q ceramic floor tiles dark beige, unibond rapid set floor tile adhesive and unibond floor tile grout for bathrooms, kitchens and hallways in a dary grey. We have done half the floor. The problem is that many of the tiles have become very stained after grouting with either large splotches or all having a grey stain. Should we have sealed the tiles first? There was no information on the packs about this. What can we now do about these tiles? We have tried scrubbing them just with warm water but to no effect. How else can we clean them? We want to do the other half of the floor. My boyfriend grouted 6 tiles at a time before wiping up an excess grout. So the grout was only on the tiles for 5 minutes. Is this too long? Why has this happened, can we fix it and how can we prevent it happeing in the other half?
Any advise appreciated,
Louise

Would need some pics to form a better opinion. Welcome to the forums.

 

[DHTiling]

Hi Louise and welcome.. what are the name of the tiles..?

 

[enduro]

Staining coming from back of the tiles..How did he put the adhesive down to fix the tiles?

 

[DHTiling]

Staining coming from back of the tiles..How did he put the adhesive down to fix the tiles?

On ceramics..?.. lets see if the pics tell us the truth..

 

[kruizcoli]

Just going up to the house to do more work today. Will take photos and upload tonight. The tiles are B and Q ceramic mosaic dark beige Ceramic Mosaic Tile Dark Beige (W)316 x (L)316 x (T)8mm Pack Of 10, 5030659055163
The staining doesnt appear to be coming from behind the tiles.
The adhesive was the unibond adhesive, mixed with unibond additive for felxi floors to plywood lining the floorboards. Attached using a proper ahesive tool and any adhesive was wiped off the tiles immediately. We have followed the instructions on the back of the paskets for all of these products (or so we think). We have mixed up packs of the tiles so that its not just a batch of tiles. Some tiles are a lot worse than others..you'll see when i put the photos on.
Thanks for your help so far...
louise

 

[enduro]

I had a look at these tiles via your link..a couple of the comments say they have a rough surface and and are hard to keep clean..So it sounds like the grout is getting into the rough bits on the tiles...So you need this.

LTP Grout Stain Remover
Description: LTP Grout Stain Remover is the solution for removal of cement and grout residues and is extremely effective against mineral salt formations (efflorescence). Useful for routine cleaning of patios and other outside paved areas, LTP Grout Stain Remover may be used on glazed ceramics, quarry tiles, terracotta and some stone.

Tips: Pick this product if you have cement and grout residues, mineral salt formations, limescale, water marks, dirty patios and other outside areas. Do not use on limestone or when underfloor heating systems are in operation. DO NOT USE ON ACID SENSITIVE SURFACES.

 

[DHTiling]

I have used those tiles before and as Andrew says they are quite rough surfaced.. and grout residue does hold if not washed off completely , so the use of a grout residue remover should suffice.

 

[White Room]

Hi and welcome..

 

[kruizcoli]

Thanks for the advice so far.
We were up yesterday and tried scrubbing with everything in the kitchen! Will try and get that Grout cleaner you recommend.
The surface is rough. I have included some photos.
The row of tiles at the bottom are the new ones put down that have not been grouted yet to show the colour difference. The second photo shows one of the worst stains. We are doing the house up as a b and b and this is the first room we ahve almost finished so we were gutted to see these stains. Will get looking for that cleaner product and let you know how it goes.
Thanks, Louise

 

[DHTiling]

Morning

Lithofin cement away is a good one as well


Sent from my iPhone

 

[enduro]

If you are doing this place up for b&b then i feel these tiles will always be a bit of a nightmare to keep clean. I would choose a different tile if you have anymore floors to do.