efflorescence problem on black grout - Grout Cleaner/Grout Colourant

[euridium]

Dear All

I have a serious case of efflorescence in my newly laid black grout. I have a couple of options but am struggling with which is the right one so if anyone can help that would be fantastic:

Option 1
Use AQUA MIX EFF-EX to clean the grout then use Aqua Mix Enrich & Seal to seal it?

Option 2
Use Aqua mix Grout Colourant Pre-Treat Cleaner then Aqua mix Grout Colourant?
(although I am a bit worried that the grout colourant will leave shiny grout - can anyone confirm)???The other slight issue I have is purchasing such a big bottle of any of the above at quite a considerable cost when it is a relatively small area I have to fix. Is there anywhere online you can either buy smaller bottles or alternatively sell left over products?Many Thanks

Stephen.

 

[DHTiling]

Hi Stephen and welcome...

Is it deffo efflorescence...? have you white salt deposits on the grout surface or just lightening of the grout..?

What make of grout is it..?

 

[david campbell]

probably bal!

try diatech they stock it for about £12 a bottle

 

[DHTiling]

Also stephen.. have a read of this>> http://www.globalsafe.com.au/What is Efflorescence.pdf

There are other ways to combat before using colourants.

 

[euridium]

I am not sure if it is efflorescence or lightening. I got the idea of efflorescence by reading through this forum and tried the olive oil trick. The grout looks good when it's wet but when it dries out it has these whiteish patches.
Is there any good way to tell beyond that olive oil trick?


Yes, it was BAL grout, i didn't know any better as this is the first time i've used black grout. It may well also be the last!!

Thanks for the link, i'll have a read and let you know how i get on.

Many thanks,

Stephen.

 

[DHTiling]

What substrate are the tiles onto...?

 

[euridium]

Hi Dave

Wooden Floorboards with hardboard on top.

 

[DHTiling]

Hi stephen...This is IMO purely down to the grout..it could be..

1: incorrect mixing.

2: Washing off too soon

3: Over wetting of the grout whilst washing off and this draws polymers to the surface.


If you can rule out those factors then you need to call BAL for a tech visit....


Also enrich and seal has been known to improve the colour of the grout by darkening it and grout colourants will work as well.... Mapei do grout colourants and you can get these from Tile giant.

 

[euridium]

Thanks for your honesty 🙂

The mix was ok, as i followed the instructions and i've done some grouting before without this problem. I don't think that i washed it off too soon, but i expect that i used too much water as the black proved hard to shift, so i guess i overwashed it. I didnt' realise that this would effect the colour, but i guess that i learn from my mistakes!

I think a BAL tech visit is perhaps a bit much as i am not a professional tiler!
First time using black grout and it's like playing with soot in water, awful. Is there anything that I can do? Your advice is much appreciated.

Stephen.

 

[DHTiling]

black grout is messy ain't it...:lol:..

You can try Fugafresca from mapei..Tile giant sell it...or the aqua mix grout colourant...

Fuga Fresca is a polymer paint for bringing back the colour of cementitious grouted joints in floors and decorated surfaces.
Applications:
Fuga Fresca may also be used to eliminate irregularities in the colour of joints caused, for example, by incorrect application of the mortar, or to eliminate unsightly stains caused during use.
Fuga Fresca helps to obtain joints with a uniform colour, which absorb less water and which are easier to clean.
Technical data:
Colours: 26.
Application: by brush or directly from the canister.
Consumption
according to the size of the tiles and joints.
Packaging
1 kg drums and 160 g dispenser.

 

[Terry Cottar]

Thanks for your honesty 🙂

The mix was ok, as i followed the instructions and i've done some grouting before without this problem. I don't think that i washed it off too soon, but i expect that i used too much water as the black proved hard to shift, so i guess i overwashed it. I didnt' realise that this would effect the colour, but i guess that i learn from my mistakes!

I think a BAL tech visit is perhaps a bit much as i am not a professional tiler!
First time using black grout and it's like playing with soot in water, awful. Is there anything that I can do? Your advice is much appreciated.

Stephen.

You probably don't need Aqua Mix Eff Ex. Brush a small test area of the white efflorescence with a stiff dry brush. Then try some olive oil on it. If it works bite the bullet and spend the £30 odd quid on a bottle of Aqua Mix Enrich N Seal off E Bay and it will sort it. You will spend a lot less time applying the Enrich N Seal than you will messing around with
Grout Colourant and Fuga Fresca

tel

 

[TilePlonker]

Black grout...any dark grout...grrrr!:incazzato: If it looks good wet, they any enhancer sealer should help too.

Olive oil? You guys taking a tea beak or something? 😉

 

[Dan]

bump

 

[CMD]

Dear All

I have a serious case of efflorescence in my newly laid black grout. I have a couple of options but am struggling with which is the right one so if anyone can help that would be fantastic:

Option 1
Use AQUA MIX EFF-EX to clean the grout then use Aqua Mix Enrich & Seal to seal it?

Option 2
Use Aqua mix Grout Colourant Pre-Treat Cleaner then Aqua mix Grout Colourant?
(although I am a bit worried that the grout colourant will leave shiny grout - can anyone confirm)???The other slight issue I have is purchasing such a big bottle of any of the above at quite a considerable cost when it is a relatively small area I have to fix. Is there anywhere online you can either buy smaller bottles or alternatively sell left over products?Many Thanks

Stephen.

 

[CMD]

I learned that furring is caused by using the wrong grout, ie the grout that everyone uses! Beware, buy only this specific product to avoid furring/white/grout turning into sand and dust
From my experience in 2011... ‘Micromax by BAL’; 'Efforescence-free' with MICROBAN

Jason at Topp Tiles explained to me in detail that the problem I have with my black grout ( literally disintegrating into sand) is due to the fact that we did not use an EFFORESCENCE-free grout, which has been developed to ‘eliminate risk of patchy discolouration’ due to salts in the water reacting to the grout.

If only they would put up posters to explain this in their showroom!

In addition to their regular grout, which he agreed with me should simply not be sold in hard-water areas(!!), they have a special grout from BAL, called ‘Micromax by BAL’, which has MICROBAN in it, which is anti-microbal protection. The bag also notes on the front that it is Efforescence-free.

Think of all the useless grouting taking place on a daily basis.... CMD

"Your phone number has been removed. Personal contact details are not permitted in an open forum"

 

[Simon benn Leeds]

Probably my ignorance but I wasn't aware that bal did a black grout, people often mistake charcoal and anthracite for black.

Only 'black' grout I'm aware of is mapei 130 negro.

 

[CMD]

My point was not about colour. I do not think that this forum is about nit picking about who makes what colour; pleeeeeeeeeease! Clearly this forum is probably not for owners of homes but more for professionals who like to chat with one another. If anyone is out there who is experiencing furry grout then start chipping away at it and replace with new grout that promises to be efflorescence grout. In future, only buy the grout yourself and have the tiler use what you insist on using, in my opinion and experience.
From my experience in 2011... ‘Micromax by BAL’; 'Efforescence-free' with MICROBAN

Jason at Topp Tiles explained to me in detail that the problem I have with my black grout ( literally disintegrating into sand) is due to the fact that we did not use an EFFORESCENCE-free grout, which has been developed to ‘eliminate risk of patchy discolouration’ due to salts in the water reacting to the grout.

If only they would put up posters to explain this in their showroom!

In addition to their regular grout, which he agreed with me should simply not be sold in hard-water areas(!!), they have a special grout from BAL, called ‘Micromax by BAL’, which has MICROBAN in it, which is anti-microbal protection. The bag also notes on the front that it is Efforescence-free.

Think of all the useless grouting taking place on a daily basis....

 

[Andy Allen]

Imo bal micromax is over priced rubbish.....
If you want a great grout.....tile master grout 3000
Only started using it a month ago after using bal for 30 years and have to say it's a great product. ..🙂

 

[Simon benn Leeds]

My point was not about colour. I do not think that this forum is about nit picking about who makes what colour; pleeeeeeeeeease! Clearly this forum is probably not for owners of homes but more for professionals who like to chat with one another. If anyone is out there who is experiencing furry grout then start chipping away at it and replace with new grout that promises to be efflorescence grout. In future, only buy the grout yourself and have the tiler use what you insist on using, in my opinion and experience.
From my experience in 2011... ‘Micromax by BAL’; 'Efforescence-free' with MICROBAN

Jason at Topp Tiles explained to me in detail that the problem I have with my black grout ( literally disintegrating into sand) is due to the fact that we did not use an EFFORESCENCE-free grout, which has been developed to ‘eliminate risk of patchy discolouration’ due to salts in the water reacting to the grout.

If only they would put up posters to explain this in their showroom!

In addition to their regular grout, which he agreed with me should simply not be sold in hard-water areas(!!), they have a special grout from BAL, called ‘Micromax by BAL’, which has MICROBAN in it, which is anti-microbal protection. The bag also notes on the front that it is Efforescence-free.

Think of all the useless grouting taking place on a daily basis....

Well it's not really being 'nit picky over colour' I have had people ask me before now (in my 20years of tiling) why the charcoal grout is not black and looks paler, is its discoloured due to efflorescence? (Cheers Google).
Actually luv, it's not black because you didn't buy black!. You bought charcoal!. We do try to cover every base on this forum, even if the question may sound stupid, but when you say black but mean charcoal, I have to doubt you question.
Clearly Jason has a wealth of knowledge and I'm sure he won't just sell you the products they sell in topps tiles!.
In addition thanks for the advise, I will certainly stop supplying materials to my clients, as they will be better experienced in selecting the correct products.
(And sorry to dissapoint you but yes we do talk about who makes what colour grout as it is a professional tilers forum and not a customer service advisor forum!.
And by the way, I have wealth of knowledge regarding efflorescence (spelt with an L) on this occasion I think I'll keep to my self.
Good luck, hope you find a solution.
Oh and just ask Jason when the last time he grouted a floor was!.