A while back I did a subway tile chair rail height wall around our powder room. For some reason the grout in some places came out really bad. It's light gray grout but some how, in some areas, there's some white flakey stuff in it and others it's kind of bubbly or something. I may have thinned it too much, not sure.

Either way, I want to fix it. I'm thinking about applying just a thin layer over it. I was also wondering if I could just use the grout caulk I used in the corners over the bad parts since it's going to be a thing layer.

I think the problem is just aesthetic, I think it's functioning fine as grout.

What do you all think? Any tips?

Thanks!

What about placing her make-up table and mirror against that part of the wall?

I would remove the bad grout and regrout. There are various tools to do this. A dremmel/rotozip type tool can be used and I have also used a special diamond impregnated blade on a sawzall.

They make a grout saw. It looks like a handle with a small piece of a saw blade with tungsten carbide on it. Use it to clean out most of the grout and regrout the tile.
They even make one for a reciprocating tool if you have one of them.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Marsh...Grout-Saw/1000204021

There's doing it the easy way or the right way.

The right way is to remove the old grout using a grout saw mentioned above, and regrout.

remove the old grout.

If you have a dremmel or a roto-zip, they make blades that make life so much easier. If not, get the grout removal tool.

Without seeing pictures, I'm guessing its Efflorescence. It and the bubbles/pop holes in the grout are symptoms of mixing in too much water. Start by scrubbing it with an acidic cleaner like vinegar. If that doesn't work pick up some Aqua Mix Heavy Duty Tile & Grout Cleaner at Home Depot. Assuming that does the trick, fill in any holes with sanded color matched caulk and go on about your life.

quote:

Originally posted by ToddGator:
Start by scrubbing it with an acidic cleaner like vinegar. If that doesn't work pick up some Aqua Mix Heavy Duty Tile & Grout Cleaner at Home Depot.

Is this to completely remove the grout or just clean it up? The white stuff is just on/in the grout, it hasn't spread.

quote:

Originally posted by matai:

quote:

Originally posted by ToddGator:
Start by scrubbing it with an acidic cleaner like vinegar. If that doesn't work pick up some Aqua Mix Heavy Duty Tile & Grout Cleaner at Home Depot.

Is this to completely remove the grout or just clean it up? The white stuff is just on/in the grout, it hasn't spread.

It should clean it. The white stuff is likely calcium leaching out during the drying process.

^^^^ efflorescence.

I sure would hate to remove that grout, what a mess.

Make sure it is mixed thoroughly and by feel, not the directions as there are too many variables. I have always used distilled water for mixing personally. After the application, the grout hazes, do not overdo the sponging of excess grout. Use a damp sponge, not one dripping with water. Excessive moisture can lead to the efflorescence you are seeing.