I’ve just grouted a floor with 1/2″ thick 3.5″ x 3.5″ terracota tiles with a sanded colored TEC grout (about 3/8″ grout lines). The tiles are handmade and somewhat irregular in exact size and thickness. In cleaning the grout up I’ve removed more than I wanted for the look I was after. The grout lines are somewhat concave. There’s also a mosaic with some areas of larger spacing where the grout has a few fine cracks.
I’m thinking about grouting back over them, this time trying to not remove as much in the clean-up. Are there any reasons I shouldn’t grout over this again? Will I get proper adhesion? It’ll have been 24 hours since the first grouting.
Thanks a ton!
Seth
“Nothing is a mistake. There is no win and there is no fail . . . there is only make.”
John Cage
Edited 2/23/2003 12:19:44 AM ET by Seth Frankel
Replies
Seth,
I'm guessing that you can't grout a second time without removing some of the existing grout. The grout package probably says something about the gap between the tiles being at least two thirds the depth of the tile (???).
I'm not sure why it says this. It could be that the grout formulation prevents a stable cured material when it is spread too thin. In that case you cannot regrout without removing existing grout. My guess is this is the case.
There is chance that the depth requirement is there because if the grout is too thin, the color of whatever is beneath (usually gray mortar) will show through. I know this is true, but I still think that the first reason is also true.
I can't speak to the question of why the grout is cracking in the mosaic, but I would guess the gaps are too large.
If no authoritative answers are forthcoming here, you can try asking this question at:
http://www.johnbridge.com/
Look for the link on the left of the page "JB Forums Best Tile Advice in the World"
Another day, another tool.
Thanks, Rich. I did post this qustion to the JB forum. The moderator suggested that I can do this by rewetting the grout and doing as soon as possible. I too worry a bit about adhesion - I'd certainly hate to have a grout failure at this point.
The job doesn't look bad, but could look better...and I've certainly been know to make something worse in an attempt to improve upon it!
Seth"Nothing is a
mistake. There is no win
and there is no fail . . . there is only
make."
John Cage
Seth,
Tile is not my area of expertise, but what about using a bonding agent between grout applications? Tedious to apply, but it might help, and I really can't think of how it would hurt. I don't think it would cause color problems.
You might want to float that idea past JB.
Good luck,
Mongo
Thanks, Mongo. I posted the dilemma on JB. It was suggested that I rewet the just-applied grout and simply go right over it. They suggested I try to mix it to the same consistency. Also that I do it as soon as possible.
The Results:
I tried it yesterday and it worked just great. No problems at all and got the exact look I was after.
Best,
Seth"Nothing is a
mistake. There is no win
and there is no fail . . . there is only
make."
John Cage
glad to hear it worked.
I tile quite a bit...and have run into situations where a spot touch up has been needed......depending on the fill space available...
I'll either just go right over fresh grout...or dig out some and float it in.....haven't had any call backs..so must be lasting!
Never did a whole floor over....but was gonna say give it a try. I'll mix it a little wetter for a lay over....
remember..it takes the grout..uaually a portland cement product.....3 days to harden and 28 to cure completely...so the next morning......after finishing up the afternoon before.....should give you a little window of opprutunity for touch ups.
JeffBuck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite