Flooring Tile - Grout Colorants

Has anyone used or had experience with grout colorants. We have a new house with a large tiled bathroom. The grout did not dry evenly so the installer put on grout colorant. Now, several months later, the colorant appears to be coming off the grout. Also the grout is cracking along the wall/floor joints and on the outside corners of the jacuzzi. We have not paid for this job yet and are really wondering what to do? Thanks for your advice!

Mr/Ms Johnson,

I suspect your installer did not allow the grout to cure before applying the grout colorant. The stuff works pretty well if applied according to directions.

http://www.johnbridge.com/Grout%20Colorants.htm

As for the cracks in the grout at the edges of the floor, it is common. The grout should be scratched out and replaced with caulking, which will give with the normal movement of the house.

Just wanted to thank the previous poster for great info on grout colorants. I spent hours on my hands and knees scrubbing old grout only to have it look perfectly clean in some places and really stained in others. Overall appearance is a mess. I was here to ask the question about whether the grout could be colored and guess what? I just wonder, though, whether it's possible to apply a colorant in much the same way the grout was applied to begin with. That is, pour it, squeegy (sp?) it around, and then spongue up the excess from the tiles. The colorant likely wouldn't stick to the smoothly finished tiles but would do just want dirt does to the unsealed grout. As you can tell, I'm not big on tedious projects, and I've easily got 750 sq feet of tiled floors.

I have just recently been hearing mutterings about colorants that you put on, and then an hour or so later wipe off the edges of the tiles. Can't give you any brand names, but you might check with a tile supplier in your area. If it pans out, it will surely be God's gift to everyone who has tile. I'll be checking on it and will broadcast it everywhere when I get something solid.

John

Hi Mr./Ms. Johnson,
I agree with John on this one chances are the grout was not cured before the colorant was applied. I have 2 questions for you on this one 1.) how long between grouting and colorant application?
2.) Was it a darker grout?,"gray" or in the "brown" color family?

Also the cracks are common, caulk is the way to fix that up!
Regards,
Rich Gately (Tileman1)

http://www.gatelytilecompany.homestead.com

Rich and Others,
In answer to your questions, it was approximately 6 weeks after the tiles were grouted and left to cure that the colorant was applied. The grout was "cream" but really more brown than anything. Our contractor worked alot with the tile supplier and installer to try and get the grout to even out prior to applying the colorant. Besides waiting the six weeks, our contractor spent many days misting down the grout in hopes that it would cure more fully and the color would even out.
One additional comment about colorant on tiles. Trust us it is not that easy to get off the tiles. I would not recommend letting any get on the tiles and wiping it up later. Wipe it off immediately!
Thanks for all the great responses.

[Edited by johnson4 on 01-15-01 at 08:10]

Hi Johnson's again,
If you waited six weeks before a colorant was applied thats generally plenty of time. (Wouldn't you say John)
The reason I asked what color the grout was (in browns and dark grays especially) 1.) If you don't mix each batch exactly alike (i.e. one soupy one thick etc.) you tend to get a little color variance and..... 2.) If its not washed with a very dry sponge consistently sometimes you get a little color variance. Also grouts have batch numbers just like tile so if you got two differet batches sometimes that will throw it off as well.
Since this is already done it really is a mute point for your job but I thought it may be of help to other folks reading this thread. Thanks!
Regards,
Rich Gately (Tileman1)

http://www.gatelytilecompany.homestead.com

Another scenario: When tiles are installed, thin set tends to roll up in the joints, especially if you move the tiles around as you should. If the thin set is not pulled out of the joints or tooled down to a fairly even consistency, two things can occur: The rolled up thin set will retain moisture and cause the grout above to cure at a slower rate (different shade); and the grout can draw up elements of the thinset to the surface of the joints, causing a dark stain on the surface.

As far as wiping off the edges when using colorants is concerned, the article on my site advises you to do so. Also, some of the colorants can go on before the grout has completely cured. In IS important to read the directions on the container.

Grout is a b----, is it not, Rich?

John

http://www.johnbridge.com