If you have a Dremel with a very fine grit attachment, you can buff the tile with it. I would test the attachment on an inconspicuous place first to make sure it does not damage the tile. Good luck!
Good advice!, and as you try to buff the surface to restore the original appearance you may want to consider valve grinding compound available at auto supply places. Look at the sealer you used and if it cautions not to expose that product to metals or glass --- Throw It Out! Then use the correct sealing product. Buy one that gives a 15 year warranty for waterproofing and doesn't etch a tile surface.
Yes.... But if the tile is glazed and/or the grout is epoxy (unlikely unless in a commercial building) these do NOT need to be sealed (neither will absorb water so they won't accept the sealer). The rule of thumb is to put a few drops of water on the tile and the grout, if it soaks in within 30 seconds it needs to be sealed. Never use a topical sealer. Always use a waterbased PENETRATING sealer. You will need to reapply bi-yearly or yearly in most situations, more if the tile is exposed to water. Hope this helps..........
No, it is not recommended to put new grout over old grout for a tile renovation project. It is best to remove the old grout completely before applying new grout to ensure a proper and long-lasting bond.
You can get special varnish/sealer for it at tile stores.
Answeri accidently poured some "mr. clean" on my tile floor and left it there becaue i was in a hurry, i came back later to get it up and the grout was like new. i thought the grount was brown, when i moved into the house i didn't know the true color. turns out, it was a light tan, not dark brown. they didn't put sealer on the grout.Tilex, there are some acids always test a small area first.There is a product from Australia called Pink Stuff it is a broom on mop off grout and tile cleaner, no nasties. www.pinkstuff.com.au
The sealant goes on the grout not on the tile & yes it is a great idea & do it quickly before the grout starts to get stained by use.
Tile contractors are the same thing as tile setters in that they both put tile and grout on your floor. However, each setters and contractors have their own specialty .
Answeri accidently poured some "mr. clean" on my tile floor and left it there becaue i was in a hurry, i came back later to get it up and the grout was like new. i thought the grount was brown, when i moved into the house i didn't know the true color. turns out, it was a light tan, not dark brown. they didn't put sealer on the grout.Tilex, there are some acids always test a small area first.There is a product from Australia called Pink Stuff it is a broom on mop off grout and tile cleaner, no nasties. www.pinkstuff.com.au
If the grout is dirty there is a chance that the new grout will not stick over it. If you clean it out first the likelihood of it working increases, as well as looking better in the long run.
You will need a clean , level cement surface, mortar, grout, tile spacers, notched trowel and wet tile saw. Also, a bucket and stirring tool.
Apply sealer as soon as the grout has lost the "Heat of Hydration"; usually in a matter of hours. Choose a sealer carefully! Read the cautionary statements on the product you are considering! If it cautions "Do Not Allow Product To Come In Contact With Glass or Metal Surfaces" Don't even consider it! More than likely a Sodium Silicate based product that migrates out of the grout very soon, and it will etch glass and any metals it comes in contact with! If it allows for a Re-Coat at some future date? Ask yourself- OK, what happened to the first application I put on? You put sealer on EARLY to waterproof the grout and stop the rapid evaporation of mix water from the material. This evaporation causes shrinkage cracks in the grout. Even Microscopic cracks in a grout will increase in size with traffic and result in a delamination of the grout. I use a product called that is manufactured exclusively for, and sold by my company. Waterproofing grouts immediately will retard evaporation of mix water and give a superior bond to the tile itself [on the side of the joint] and to the substrate [host concrete] below. You will know when you have achieved proper saturation levels of the product when it is no longer being absorbed into the grout. Come back the next day and pour water on the area you have waterproofed; it will pond and remain on the surface until it evaporates. In kitchens or on a rough sanded grout I make another application the next day. If the second coat is not able to penetrate the grout I know its waterproofed and mop up the excess product. This prevents the product from drying on a surface to form a film. The product works by forming a solid inside when it reacts with the alkali and does not leave a film. When friends come to my house and comment on my kitchens "New Tile" I pour grape juice or ketchup onto a joint, proceed to tell them it's 6 years old, it's waterproofed grout, with a 15 year warranty for waterproofing and after 10 or so minutes-- I wipe the Stain up!! If you waterproof the host concrete beneath your tile install, you will also avoid a delamination of the thin set mortar that holds the tile in place. That hollow sound of a tile when you walk on it, is a dead give away that the tile is no longer bonded to your floor. Do it right the first time and ASAP.
To effectively put tile over existing tile for a flooring or backsplash update, follow these steps: Clean and prepare the existing tile surface by removing any dirt, grease, or debris. Roughen the surface of the existing tile with sandpaper to help the new tile adhere better. Apply a bonding primer to the existing tile to create a strong base for the new tile. Use a high-quality thin-set mortar to adhere the new tile to the existing tile surface. Place the new tile carefully, ensuring proper spacing and alignment. Allow the mortar to dry completely before grouting the tiles. Apply grout between the tiles and wipe off excess grout with a damp sponge. Seal the grout to protect it from stains and moisture. By following these steps, you can effectively update your flooring or backsplash by putting tile over tile.
hardwood or vinyl . tile on a raised foundation will always crack in the grout lines