How to remove dry grout in tiles. We've tried everything from vinegar to tile cleaner, but nothing works.
Any suggestions?
Answers
Steve Jackson
Your options at this point are to scrape it or dissolve it. My first suggestion would be to contact the tile manufacturer. They Would have the best idea of what their tile can handle in terms of physical or acid abuse.
Scraping
The scraping is attractive as a primary option because it can go slowly and start in a small and little visible area to see if it damages the tile. There Is no perfect tool for this for what I know. It Would start with an abrasive sponge (might be lucky), steel wool (good for stripes) and then attack the groups with a razor, a painter's tool or a small sharp chisel. To limit the damage to the tile, you want the tool to be as horizontal as you can and still work safely with it. You should quickly determine how much abuse your tile can handle and if some scratches ruin your floor. It is likely to be a slow and painful process.
Acid
Sulfuric acid will work if the grout is not too thick, the main concern is what to do with the tile underneath. Again, find a small place to try first. The engraving is usually caused because the tile absorbs the acid. To limit this, I would first wet the tile pretty well with clean water. Gloves, mask and good ventilation are essential when working with acid. If the grout is thick enough, it may loosen it sufficiently so you can clean it with a scraping method. Follow the instructions and don't let it rest long enough to pass through the top layer of tiles.
Replacement
I wouldn't overlook the replacement as a possibility, depending on how many tesserae are a problem. It is totally possible to damage the tile when trying to remove the grout anyway. I guess he did the work of the tiles (or I should call the contractor to fix this problem), so he should be able to replace a tile, just smash it, scrape the surrounding grout and install a new one. If it's an old job (and you can find the matching tiles), it may be worth making some calls to find what a tile mechanic could charge for a small job.
BrianK
Are glazed tiles or something like Spanish tiles without enamelling? If they are glazed, they will test a razor blade scraper or a wallpaper scraper. Try to moisten it first. I've heard about people who use acid, but I see some forums where people never say to use it because they can record the tile. If only a couple of days have passed, it should be detached from the glazed tiles. You Can also post a photo. Good luck,
Brian
Bob Arnold
My wife dropped a bottle full of balsamic vinegar on the kitchen floor. He immediately attacked the white tile grout and, when the mess was cleaned, most of the tile grout had disappeared. Balsamic vinegar was blackish in color and white tiles were not affected at all.
Matthew
-1 great story, Bro... Can you adjust your answer to more specifically address the question?