Terracotta tiles

greenbee

I'm having a floor laid using spanish terracotta tiles. The person who is laying them said they'd be fine... but clearly didn't read up on it as they tried grouting them BEFORE I sealed them (they also didn't notice until they realised that there was a problem that the grout they were using was black instead of pale grey :mad: ).

Half my floor is now covered in black grout, which has been absorbed into the tiles... if only it has been left I could have sealed them this weekend! Is there any way I can clean this up, and am I better off drying the room out (there is a dehumidifier in there) or wetting the tiles to stop the stain drying?

Any advice would be appreciated... I've tried google, but can only find stuff on how to get it right, not how to fix it once it's been done wrong :rolleyes: I've been calm and reasonable, and said as long as they can fix it, it doesn't matter, but somehow I don't think they'll be able to do anything other than take that half of the floor up and start again.

debbie42

This site has some good information and products for terracotta tiles.
http://www.extensive.co.uk

Their customer support help over the phone is very good, though I don't know if they are available on a weekend.

I've used this product on mine:
http://www.extensive.co.uk/product.php/22/cement-away-1l

I don't know if it would work on your "grout", my fitters used a cement/sand/colour mix, I think. I'm fairly sure it wasn't your normal wall tile grout.

I have handmade terracotta in my kitchen for around 5 years now. I can sympathise!
Feel free to pm me if you have any specific questions about the care and maintenance. I use the wax method as described on the above pages, not the seal and leave method (I sometimes question whether that was such a good idea!).

greenbee

I've now cleaned the worst of it off using white vinegar and a cheap sheet cut up for rags. It doesn't look as bad, but the black makes it look as if there has been a fire... I hope he's going to be able to get the black grout out an put pale grey in (assuming he doesn't end up having to take the tiles up and start again). Ironically, if the colour of the grout had been right, the problem wouldn't have been so bad.

Thanks for the ideas... I may spend the weekend making some calls!

Lotus-eater

I'm not sure if he is going to be able to get the grout out again tbh.

I had a similar issue with my tiles, although they weren't terracotta. (I was going to have them, but didn't want an issue with the constant upkeep)

We had a unskilled guy put the tiles down for us and it was not right, we pulled the plug and got in an experienced fitter who sorted the whole lot out for us, by sorting out, I mean pulling the whole lot up and starting again

You need expert advice before you let this guy go any further.

greenbee

Thanks. I think you're right. The grout itself comes of, but because he's used coloured grout with dye in it, the dye has been absorbed into the tiles. I've told him to call the supplier (as he's the one who told me he didn't need the supplier to provide the specialist adhesive, grout etc), and get it sorted out.

Why is it people will always tell you they can do things they can't? There's nothing wrong with admitting that you can't do something and might need help and advice!