Is there a product that will colour my grout to a deep grey?

We currently have slate tiles covering our kitchen floor, but unfortunately, when they were laid, I made the mistake of choosing beige grout. After several years wear this now looks patchy and discoloured. Do I have to grind it all out and start again?

The use of light coloured grouts on floors is certainly unwise as the most frequently trafficked areas and/or highest spillage areas will always darken first, leading to a patchy overall appearance. It is advisable to use a dark grout such as grey for floor tiling. The best thing to do would be to remove the grout with a grout rake. This needs a steady hand as it is easy to damage the edge of the tiles. You can hire an electric grout rake but take care as some slates are quite soft.

Once the joints have been re-grouted with a suitable colour the floor should be thoroughly cleaned and allowed to dry. It will then be possible to seal the floor fully with a suitable impregnating sealer which will prevent the grout from staining in the future. Alternatively you can clean the grout and colour it with one of several re-colouring products on the market. You may need to use a mild acid wash to clean the grout particularly if the stains are grease. Bleach won’t work on grease. Getting an even colour requires practice and skill and the final effect may depend upon the nature and extent of the staining.

You could always hand the problem over to a professional tile fixer who would assess the staining and decide if re-grouting or staining are the best options. Once the problem is rectified you will have a beautiful floor that will enhance the value of your home for many years to come so it’s worth investing in it.

Whichever you choose you will find the products, advice and skills you need by visiting the directory section of this website. Your nearest TTA retailer or fixer will be pleased to help – phone 020 8663 0946 for more info.