does anyone know how to remove the grout off of the tile if it set on the tile to long
2007-01-26 13:48:32 · 8 answers · asked by jones0220050001 3 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
Have just completed tiling kitchen and three bathrooms. I used a small sharp chisel to remove some grout I missed wiping off. Wet it with water, scrape then use one of those green scrubby things. Takes a bit of elbow grease but you can get it off without resorting to acids of any sort. You should never use muriatic acid in the house, with out lots of ventilation and proper safety items.
2007-01-27 23:21:50 · answer #1 · answered by breezyburgee 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
One of the most important things to do when installing tile is to wipe the excess grout off the tile with a clean wet sponge. If this is not done thoroughly the haze (sometimes thick) of grout will adhere to the tile. Usually a good machine scrub/acid wash would do the trick. Might help to go to your local HDepot and get some chemical assistance or call a local floor cleaning company for their advice. Many times they will help you out with what you need to know if you cannot afford to hire someone to fix it.
We have a local company that just did an entire scrub/acid wash on one of the large slate lobby floors in an academic building at the university I work at and the contractor did a LOUSY job of wiping the grout when done. Even has a grout haze along the walls (which are brick on the interior). Spent a lot of money getting that done, but for a home it may not be that much. Just check into it, and if you settle to do it yourself, test the chemical in a less noticable area and see how it works. Good luck.
2007-01-27 02:52:16 · answer #2 · answered by KDC23 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need a weak acid like white vinegar. Start with a 50% solution and scrub with a scrub sponge. Wipe clean with clear water. You can go full strength if necessary. I would use muriatic acid only in desperation, as it is much stronger and is a safety hazard. It may eat away some of the grout you want to keep. You can dilute it so that it won't be so reactive, but if you do, follow the rule from chem lab of only pouring the acid into water. If you pour water into the acid, it will splatter violently and can get on your body or in your eyes.
2007-01-27 07:03:35 · answer #3 · answered by Tech Dude 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Warm water and gentle scrubbing with a cloth is the best way... I'm not sure how long is "too long" though. It takes several times wiping the tiles to get them clean.
2007-01-26 21:56:02 · answer #4 · answered by sankayak 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it has set up, the only thing to do is to scrape it off preferably with something wooden or plastic to keep from scratching the tile surface.
2007-01-26 22:23:19 · answer #5 · answered by MT C 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes ive set tile for fifteen years. i'd try tsp it's a mild form of acid, get it at any local hardware store. mix with water in a bucket ( use rubber gloves ) and a scrub brush then clean with clean water bucket and sponge should work. good luck
2007-01-27 03:53:32 · answer #6 · answered by nascardriven 8 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you could use a small scraper or they also make a grinder for tile and grout
2007-01-26 21:54:27 · answer #7 · answered by rooterdon2000 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wet it and scrape it with a putty knife.
It isn't easy. Be careful not to scratch your tile.
2007-01-26 21:55:13 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋