Excess tile grout removal

Grout and marble (CaCO3) both dissolve in acid.  “The product” is muriatic acid (HCl).  It is easy to remove excess grout on glazed ceramic with acid, but it etches the marble.  Don’t use H2SO4, as it will continue to react and soak in long after HCl would have evaporated.   Acid is not something to fool around with. You can damage all sorts of things including yourself.  Another product is penetrant applied before grouting.  Products to “seal” stone and tile from salad dressing, and stains can reduce (not prevent) etching during the grout cleaning process, but you have to apply them before grouting.  More specific products to apply before grouting are called “grout release.” I suggest you contact the tile manufacturer.  Perhaps they treated the marble surface to protect it already.  I don’t think so, but try asking.  Some tile comes with warnings and instructions.  Also check the manufacturer’s website. Dave, often home owners don’t want to pay me BEFORE I start a job, because they prefer to pay somebody less than I charge, but tile and bathroom renovation is skilled work.  A lot can go wrong if the worker is not trained and experienced.  In my contracts, clients don’t make final payment until the job is completed (obviously).  Still, grouting comes at the end when most of the balance is already collected in change orders for tile and fixtures and progress payments. Threatening unskilled, low-paid workers will not prevent this sort of thing.  I don’t know what the OP paid the GC or what the tile installer was paid; I am just guessing it was not enough money to cover the cost of a professional tile setter.  If I am right, why not pay the worker?  It was not their mistake.

greenmountain

in Roofers 12 years and 2 months ago

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bkbrownstone | 12 years and 2 months ago

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Does anyone know how to handle tile grout that been left on too long? One of my contractor’s workers let the grout stay for too long and butchered the bathroom floor tiles in the process.  Any advice on how to remove the grout haze and pockets of grout left on top of the tile? It’s a basketweave White Carrara + Black Dot Polished Marble Mosaic if that matters. Any suggestions would go a long, long way.  Many thanks.

daveinbedstuy | 12 years and 2 months ago

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Thre are products for this at HD, etc. I can’t remember what chemicals they use.

irqgbfqcbpop | 12 years and 2 months ago

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I would head to home depot but you may have to gently scrape it away.