Problem with yellowing grout

[DHTiling]

Bleach can burn grout and send it yellow.

 

[BWTiling]

Personally I'd say rake out the Grout and check the Substrate in a small area! Seen it loads of times and timeframe for it happening is always a lot quicker for Bathrooms with Poor Ventilation!! You'll probably find that because no adhesives / grouts are totally impervious to Water the condensation in the room alone will make the Substrate damp and because it's the background takes a lot longer to dry out (ventilation again!). If it's a Yellow colour then it's normally Plasterboard, a darker Yellow / Orange / Brown type colour is normally Solid Plaster Skim. Anti-Mould etc. will make no difference as to the colour of the Grout "Bleaching" due to the condition of the substrate!
Good Luck and let us know how you get on?

 

[Bathfix Bob]

I've just spoken to Webber technical and he said it's something that does happen now and then, he said it could be certain types of shampoo, poor ventilation etc.

This is the problem with tiling, there's so manys things that can come back and bite you in the behind later on.

Why didn't the existing grout go yellow? who knows....

 

[Dan]

Are they coming out to check it out?

 

[FreeD]

Hi there. If the grout is in good condition maybe you could colour seal the grout with aquamix. I've had good results with that in the past, saves raking it all out.

 

[Bathfix Bob]

No they aren't coming out, they wouldn't expept responsibility (are they responsible?). I only went to see it yesterday (we both have very busy schedules), it was worse than I imagined, horrible dirty yellow.

Although what was intersting was it got worse as you went up the wall, the bottom row was more or less pure white and it gradually got worse as you went up.
The grout was white just under the surface aswell.

All I can do is use a tube of Everbuild grout reviver. I tested it when I was there (had to leave it 4 hours than go back) and I got really good results and it will be easier than scraping it all back out.

 

[DJS]

Hi Bob, if it was just the surface that was discoloured, and you have been to see it now...Would you be recommending she invest's in an extractor fan for the shower area, as you said in your OP.

Suspect it could have been created by the atmospheric moisture cloud you get in a room whilst showering? After all, that contains dirt too, that will condense onto the tile face at the top of the room, and run down into the grout joints.

I thought air extraction is a requirement for shower-rooms in new-builds thesedays, to comply with ventilation regulations.

I always recommend it to all my customers if they don't have one already, and if possible on a timer for about 10-15 mins afterwards.

 

[Bathfix Bob]

I have recommended she gets a fan yes, I will probably sort the yellow grout out free of charge as she's a nice lady and has recommended me. Had she been difficult and awkward over it I would have hit her with a hefty bill (now that we've established its not really my fault its gone yellow).

 

[DJS]

Good to hear that the customer was understanding. Your obviously a very nice man!