https://www.google.com.au/search?q=How+to+add+wet+grout+to+dry+grout&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&client=safari

Hi Stacey, If you've had the grouting done by a qualified tiler (assuming you've not done a DIY) give them a call and get them back to fix it. Most professional tilers will happily fix it up - they'll understand that it's a clients right to expect work be carried out to be of good quality and they don't want a client to give them bad review to future potential clients or possibly miss out on doing work for you on other projects in the future. Just remember the advice that DTS Builders has given you and know that whether they do it or you do it the process will be the same: 1) remove the existing grout (if it's a DIY - you can get a bit for a Dremel tool that makes it a lot easier if you've got a steady hand and a lot of grout to remove - or you can get a special manual grout removal tool from your local hardware); 2) ensure that the grouting lines are thoroughly cleaned; 3) buy fresh grout so there's no colour matching issues and do it again; and 4) seal it. Good luck.

Stacey the grout has probably shrunk a little as it has dried as in the case of all grout, but by all means get your tiler to have a look at it to make certain it is as it should be.

Hi Stacey, if the work was only completed two weeks ago, I am assuming you must be covered by some type of insurance and warranty if you used certified trades people to complete the job. If this is the case, I would get back in touch with them a.s.a.p. and state the problem. They will need to come back out, scrap out the old grout and redo. You have paid good money for beautiful tiles and you are entitled to expect good workmanship. Good luck.

Yes you can scrape out the old and replace with the new - you cannot simply put grout on top of grout - there is a scraper you can get from hardware store like Bunnings in Australia...... years ago I didn't like seeing discoloured grout as well so I used to get on hands and knees (stop laughing) and clean with cloth rather than a mop cause the mop pushes the dirty water from cleaning into the grout lines - that helped..... but those days are gone once I had children!!!!

But what you can do it is get a sample pot of paint (flat paint works best cause the grout absorbs but sample pots now usually are in semi flat paint) in the colour you want and small paint brush and simply paint the grout.... do a few lines at a time (don't worry if you hit the tiles - they are glossy) and then have a cloth ready to wipe over the tiles in that area so that you have no paint residual on the tiles. That gives the fresh clean look! (of course clean the grout lines prior and let completely dry before you paint them) Works a treat. I do this periodically - I have tiles which look like your currently.

There is special "grout paint" that comes in a small roll on bottle - I've bought it from Bunnings and used it with success before I could do my bathroom reno but at the end of the day, Stacey's tiling and grout job is only two weeks old and nobody should have to be doing remedial work to fix it after only two weeks especially if it's been done by a tradesman- that's just not cool or professional.

I agree 2 weeks is poor- if the fellow says he will top up don't allow this - it has to be scraped out.

I heard Bunnings and other companies offer grout pens. I have used my method for 25+ years..... worth a try if you have same pale colour paint (or ceiling paint as this is flat) lying around to try.

Stacey's tiles appear to be rectified given how well they're sitting and their size. Grout size doesnt come into play - rectified tiles allow for narrower margins. Traditional tiles that aren't are not perfectly squared which is why traditionally larger lines were used as a wider grout line disguised the imperfect edges. Personally I think it's straight forward - the tiler needs to fix it and if he mucks up the tiles doing that his insurance should cover the replacement of them. Check out the site for more info http://www.build.com.au/rectified-tiles-vs-non-rectified-tiles-whats-difference

Good to keep that in mind - thanks for the info.

Hi Micshak, No, you're not argumentative at all - your frustrated and understandably angry about your experience and are coming from that place. I didn't say that there weren't minimums, I said that rectified tiles allowed finer than traditional grout lines.

Happily for me, I've had a similar issue to Stacey and were fortune to have great building team who ensured that my problem was fixed as soon as I raised it with them and they covered fixing the issue and resulting damages from their pocket - it wasn't even a conversation topic - what I got was "absolutely, yeah, that needs to be fixed, no worries" - the difference between great people and the guy you sadly got.

Your story almost bought me to tears but did bring home the advice I had from more experienced family members on personally checking license and trade affiliations such as HIA and checking the trades insurances as well as being on site every day and only paying when I was happy for the job. It goes to show - just because you're a good person, doesn't mean that everyone you meet is a good person.

Know that I believe that poor tradesman and badly behaved tradesman who don't produce reasonable quality work should be publicly flogged and branded because of the heartbreak, stress and financial hardship they put people through.

Stacey needs to be able to give the option of having the problem fixed and the tiler/builder the chance to regain his reputation before trying to fix things yourself - despite your horrible experience, most are tradies are hardworking good people and want to do great work for you to keep good will for their business.

Sadly for you anyone who is going to prohibit this man from getting work/money isn't going to do much except be background noise. Davco, the tile supplier etc aren't able to stop him from getting work - but you sure can and I'd encourage you to go after him with unrelenting vengeance) - go to the appropriate licensing board and talk to them. Go to HIA if your tiler is a member and the Fair Trading body in your state as a matter of course - they should be able to force compensation. I would threaten to get on every website, blogsite (including TrueLocal), the local paper and social media to tell as many people as you can about your experience with this tradesman naming names and showing what appalling work was done if you don't receive a refund/compensation/a first class quality fix within 14 days - and then if you're not happy follow through with the shaming and make sure he knows about it by sending him links/snapshots/clippings naming him and his business and let him know you're so upset that this will continue to be refreshed on a monthly basis until you receive satisfaction or he's out of business. If he indicated any businesses or people that would recommend him or gave you a list of previous jobs, I'd be sending letters to them (with photos and supporting correspondence) letting them know - and copying him. Builders all talk ;)

Oh - and you could always do what a friend of mine did - have friends ring the gentleman in question to book work then cancel at the last minute after you've done your shame campaign siting the fact that they heard that he was a shameless, substandard tiler and their going with a more reputable tiler. Evil, but no more than than deserved.

Stacey - I honestly hope you have more my experience than poor Micshak's. Let us know how you get on.

Tile is the most popular option for flooring because of its durability. Grout is basically the mortar found between the individual tiles. Grout becomes stained most of the time because it was not properly sealed with a grout sealant when grout was put down. Generally, foot traffic will always wear off this sealant over time. And once the sealant is compromised, the grout is susceptible to staining.

Helpful things:

Routine maintenance - Regularly cleaning tiles will ensure that they last longer. Mopping and sweeping tile floors on a weekly basis will keep dirt and stains from building up on the tiles themselves and in the grout between them.

Help from professional - With proper maintenance, your tile flooring will last longer. Many carpet cleaning companies provide tiles and grout cleaning services. These professionals are very much helpful and they will add new sealant to tiles and grout it found missing. Even many of these professionals will remove bacteria and dirt from both the tiles and grout.

If you have still had a problem then it is good to have your home inspection.

Expert Tips on Tile and Grout Cleaning

Many households in Melbourne adopt the distinctive look that tiles can provide for their living spaces, often giving tiled areas a different sense of elegance and sophistication.

One aspect of tiles that no one likes is the care of the grout, and the care of the grout is high art since the joints used in the manufacture are easy to crack and impair the strength of the tile surface. Below we have embedded some tips for grouting to keep your beautiful tiles in top shape for longer.

Targeted Vacuuming

The main problem that affects tiles and mortars is an accumulation of moisture at the joint between tile and tile. A common problem is a bathroom, where a lot of water, moisture, and the air is absorbed, such as in the shower or bathroom, where water and moisture are present.

Use Moderate Surface Cleaners

At some point in human history, it occurred to someone that using ammonia-based substances, such as ammonia gas, is an ideal method for cleaning and maintaining joints. A fine, detailed nozzle is used to traverse the entire line and suck the joints and ensure that all standing moisture in the joint is removed, which is time-consuming and prevents erosion of the mass. This has the opposite effect, speeds up the erosion process, corrodes the tile's supporting tile itself, and makes the tile vulnerable to loosening.

Regular Sealant

Besides the time it takes to be used, the use of grout is also one of the less favorable household chores. Always make sure that a seal on the joint is in order, and it is sufficient to insert a small bolt between the joints and, if necessary, to attach the seal. There are a number of different types of sealants on the market today, such as rubber seals and rubber seals, so choose wisely the next time you visit the hardware store.

The mortar needs to be resealed at least twice a year on average and should not be used more than once a week during the year, if at all.

With carpet cleaning in Jena, you have the opportunity to protect joints and joints with tiles and joints, revitalize and rejuvenate old joints and surfaces.

Contact the experts- Carpet Clean Doctor

We are one of the leading providers of carpet cleaning services in Melbourne and are available 24 hours a day for unforeseen cleaning disasters. Call us today and experience the difference we can offer you! We are a leading provider of high-quality carpet and tile repairs and are always available for your needs.