saltillo tile

We are currently in the process of installing about 900 sq/ft of saltillo tile. We have completed about 100 sq/ft completley, ie grout sealer. All the other is just laying the tile. The grouting process was very hard and the tiles absorbed the grout. In the area that we grouted and sealed there are grout stains that wont come out and look horrible. What do I do?.

I also have another question. One of the tiles got some mortar (cement) on them so I took it outside and sprayed it off with the hose. It cleaned perfectly and also changed the color of the tile from a ull yellow orange to a beautiful deep red. It has been a day since that tile was set in the ground and it retained it nice coloring. My question is what would happen if I were to take the hose to all the tile in that room so as to create a different color from the previous room that was sealed grouted and completed. Even after sealing the tile that got wet looks better then the sealed tiles. Will anything happen in a few days to the tile?. Ie white residue coming up on the surface or anything else?.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Clean it, stain it but seal it. Use latex additive in the mortar and in the grout esp. Near doors and anywhere there is water. The tile is thicker and will expand and contract more. Its is also more viscous so it will absorb. Dont expect the floor tiles to all look alike when you are through. And be sure to sample the stains on pieces of tile and let it dry before you install. It will dry differently. This tile is like a watercolor. You welcome mistakes as "character"in your floor. Try to make them planed mistakes!

We seal Saltillo by dipping their finish surface before anything else -- right out of the box. They will uptake oil from your hands and stain!

I know of no way to get out grout stains, although we have tried. I used haze and grout cleaner and it helped, but once stained, they saty that way.

Also, I cut all mine with diamond blades dry -- no wet cutting!

Efforvescence (white haze) will leech out of unsealed tiles. Phosphoric acid or vinager will take it off, but I roll it on with a paint roller, I never scrub the tile.

The sealer I have always used -- when I can find it, is Miracle Sealer, a petroleum based siloconized product which has always left the tiles sealed and unblemished, even after they are dipped and set back into the box.

One more thing -- I never stack these tiles more than five deep. Always set them on the edges, leaning against something. Hope this helps.

Try a Dry Vapor system. I used to do tile work, but due to health reasons no longer can. I was so impressed with these machines I bought the company. No really these machines work great and there are no chemicals just water. They are great for cleaning out grout from pitted tile, removing grout haze, take oil spots out of driveways etc. I just color stained my grout and it was so easy because it didn't matter how much I got on the tile this machine took it right up.

By the way the reason I am color staining is because prior to this I tried a grout cleaner which ruined my grout. Check out my site [www.vaporsales.com].

I am taking up carpet and finding linoleum tiles from the 60's in this house. I am going to lay saltillo tile. I am trying to get the black adhesive up as best as possible.

Question: Some of the black glue just does not want to come up. If it all will not come up, will it hurt the laying of the tile? Also, do I need to put an admixture or richer mortar mixture?

Use a "quality" modified thinset, it will work over the adhesive residue. You need to remove as much of the adhesive as you can remove first.

A "quality modified thinset" is not the $5 a bag stuff, stay away from that junk.

I took some floor adhesive off with a razor blade scraper. They cost about $8.00 at Home Depot.

Mike-- Look at the YEAR in the last post!

What is it with this thread, and the month of July!

Good advice is good advice, no matter what the year.

Tiles from the 60's =asbestos

Threads from the 04's = pure gold.