Tile Grouting

Emma2019

So we moved into a new house and the tile grouting was very discoloured. The landlord got a handyman in to fix it and tbh I don't know what he did but it looks terrible and the material is all over the tiles and needs to be scraped off with a knife to come off.

So my question is any ideas on what he used and any idea how we fix it?

Emma2019

Apologies, it wouldn't let me attach a photo to the original post but photo attached now!

Dr_Colossus

Jesus tonight that's shocking, did he not clean off the grout after application at all. Looks like he smathered grout over the existing mould and discoloured grout rather than remove it first and then apply.
How long ago since it was done, if more than a day I'd be included to leave it and let the landlord deal with it in time as it will take a lot of scrubbing to get it anyway decent depending on the texture of the tiles. You can get chemicals to help remove grout haze but all suppliers are closed indefinitely and that's big patches of grout rather than just haze.

Emma2019

It was done a few weeks ago unfortunately. There's still big patches of discoloration and bits of grout missing.

I saw Aldi had grout in at the moment so I was considering trying to redo it myself with all my free time but I know nothing about grouting.

I'm assuming you need power tools to remove all existing grout and then reapply new grout? Probably a bit out of my league!

Vita nova

That's the worst finished grouting job I've ever seen. You can remove the grout on the tiles using a wet scrubber, either one specifically for tiling or some non-metal kitchen scrubbers (test on a small area first).
As for the grout in between the tiles, if the previous grout hadn't been removed then the new grout will flake off eventually or may even scrub off, what's more, if there was mould on the previous grout then it'll probably come through the new grout if it's a thin layer.

You can buy hand tools for removing grout between tiles but it would take an eternity to remove all or most of the grout between the tiles. I've used a small angle grinder with a disc for stone to cut away most of the grout between the tiles then used a hand tool to scrape away what was left, however, it requires great concentration because it's very easy to cut a tile but it's quicker than just the hand tool.

You could probably also use a power multi-tool with appropriate attachment.

Grouting itself is very easy and there are lots of Youtube videos on how to do it. Use a mould resistant grout but I think they nearly all are nowadays.
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SomeFool

Emma2019 wrote: »

So we moved into a new house and the tile grouting was very discoloured. The landlord got a handyman in to fix it and tbh I don't know what he did but it looks terrible and the material is all over the tiles and needs to be scraped off with a knife to come off.

So my question is any ideas on what he used and any idea how we fix it?

Has your landlord seen this mess? I'd be making sure he sees it before you go to work on it, I wouldn't want anything else repaired in my home by this 'handyman'.

Emma2019

They have. I sent over a photo but they seemed to not have an issue with it - I was surprised too!

Doesn't seem like the tools we have in the house will be much use so I might just leave it until it starts looking mucky again. I'll definitely take the excess grout off the tiles though so it looks less awful!

Thanks for all the help!

okidoki987

Before using a knife, try a plastic card first.
You could get a spare Dunnes or Tesco card in the store and use that.
Won't scratch the tile and most of the grout should come off using the card.
Also handy for using filler when you don't have anything else!

policarp

Emma2019 wrote: »

They have. I sent over a photo but they seemed to not have an issue with it - I was surprised too!

Doesn't seem like the tools we have in the house will be much use so I might just leave it until it starts looking mucky again. I'll definitely take the excess grout off the tiles though so it looks less awful!

Thanks for all the help!

Take photos from all angles before you start any remedial work.

policarp

SomeFool wrote: »

Has your landlord seen this mess? I'd be making sure he sees it before you go to work on it, I wouldn't want anything else repaired in my home by this 'handyman'.

I would say that the landlord is the grouter. IMHO.