New bathroom grout leaching

[nebs]

Hello

We've just had a new bathroom installed. On the tiles in the shower area, we opted for grey grout. The shower has been up and running for 3 days now and I have noticed streaks coming from the grout running down the tiles. What is this and how can it be eliminated?

 

[AliGage]

How long after grouting did you start using the shower?
Looks to me like dust has been left in the grout joints after cleaning down. The Dusty residue from the grout has got wet when using the shower and gravity has done the rest.

 

[charlie1]

Should be easily cleaned though! What type of tile? Ceramic, porcelain?

 

[nebs]

Tiles were in a good 3-4 days before we first showered. Tiles are indeed easily cleaned. I just wanted to know if this was something to be concerned about.

Work has a 12month warranty, so shall I just see if it goes away after the preverbial dust settles?

 

[nebs]

It looks like streaks from washboy residue! Did you nottice when the tiler done the grouting. Did they allow the tiles to dry then dust off?

This was not noticed before we used the shower. Indeed this only happens where the shower splashes the walls. The tiles directly behind the shower for instance are fine. So are the ones on the floor.

 

[AliGage]

Sounds to me like it's just a dusty residue that's been missed in the grout joint.
Give it 24-48 hours to completely dry out, get a soft 1" to 1 1/2" paintbrush and dust it out. Clean over with a residue remover and then apply a grout sealer to the grout joints.
I'm presuming by the size of the tiles that they are porcelain so the following products are fine to use:

Residue removers:
Fila Grout Residue Remover For Porcelain Ceramic And Tumbled Stone Ltr | Topps Tiles

Grout sealers:
Fila Grout Protector 500ML | Topps Tiles

I've linked you to Topps tiles as they have a good amount of stores around the country, but HG and BAL also do these products and you'll find a tile retailer stocking one of if not all of these products.

 

[nebs]

Sounds to me like it's just a dusty residue that's been missed in the grout joint.
Give it 24-48 hours to completely dry out, get a soft 1" to 1 1/2" paintbrush and dust it out. Clean over with a residue remover and then apply a grout sealer to the grout joints.
I'm presuming by the size of the tiles that they are porcelain so the following products are fine to use:

Residue removers:
Fila Grout Residue Remover For Porcelain Ceramic And Tumbled Stone Ltr | Topps Tiles

Grout sealers:
Fila Grout Protector 500ML | Topps Tiles

I've linked you to Topps tiles as they have a good amount of stores around the country, but HG and BAL also do these products and you'll find a tile retailer stocking one of if not all of these products.

Surprised things like this weren't mentioned by either the supplier or installer. Thanks for the advice. I'll definitely give it at try.

 

[bugs183]

Usually the installer or supplier wouldn't mention this as it should be left as a finished clean job, it does look strange as if the grout had been left on the tiles you would have seen it in the first place. Try the above products and see if this solves the problem

 

[AliGage]

It looks like streaks from washboy residue! Did you nottice when the tiler done the grouting. Did they allow the tiles to dry then dust off?

Charlie1 has a point here actually. I don't think it's left on the tile. It looks at least from the photo and your comments on your tiler that he/she has done a good job.
We've had a thread on here somewhere before (i think) that i've commented on. It was about washboy sponges. I've mentioned in that post about new sponges holding too much water. If the sponge used in your case was leaving behind too much water you will get a dusty residue over your grout lines once dry. If your tiler has missed these when dusting down i'd expect to see what's gone on in your photos.

You can try the products i suggested but if you wanted to save a few pennies then just use a damp cloth to wash the walls down. Rinse out regularly and ensure it's not wet just damp. I'd still use the sealer once clean and dry though.

I personally would get both though. It's the product made for the job 😉

Good luck, hope i'm right now!