Is there grout there? WIll there be overspray from some boy children? Or guests? Or DH? Um hmmm. Sealer. And don't forget to keep it sealed. It's not a once and done project. Every time you clean, you will strip a bit of sealer. The harsher the products used to clean, the more sealer they strip. If water doesn't bead up in those grout joints, it's time to be resealed.

I did about 525 sq feet, but my tiles were 12*8. Not sure how that would compare for grout. I've tried grout bags a few times, and always ended up tossing them to the side and grabbing the float (or just using my fingers if in tight places). For me the extra time spent with the grout bag won't make up for any savings in cleanup time. You must clean up before the grout drys too hard, make sure you rinse often and CHANGE YOUR WATER very often. I use two buckets (and two sponges) I wipe up with the first one to get the bulk off, then use the second to have clean water for a final wipe over. I use a 5 gallon pail so I've got lots of water, and dump and refill as soon as it seems I'm spreading dirty water more than cleaning grout off. I did not always do it that way, but I guess I've learned something over the years LOL! This last project was about the easist to clean, but I made sure to work in smaller sections. I have read that if you end up wiping a lot it will cause the grout to lighten when it drys, so I tried hard to wipe as little as possible during cleanup (by using clean spounges and water). After I got the area cleaned, I went back over the spot (starting from the far end) and wiped the tiles with a clean, dry cloth. Then when it died a bit more I went over it again, more buffing the tiles to get the haze off. Seemed to work well, and took me 8-10 batches to get the whole area done (over several days as I have a full time job). If your grout is getting to dry where you started, it's time to stop spreading and get to cleaning. You will regret it if you let it dry too much before cleaning. I found I could mix up about 10lbs of dry grout at a time. I might have a bit of time before I started cleaning where I started, but this way the last was still wet enough to clean up easily. I have made the mistake of spreading too much grout and then the last area to get cleaned up is very difficult. Cathy

Hollysprings, I just realized I forgot to crosspost to the Kitchen Forum. Thank goodness I got your post. I told the installer after 5 PM when he called on Saturday that he could start on Monday but now I am getting so nervous as I want a floor easy to keep clean. He says the Power Grout still stains and is not worth the cost and is more difficult to use. I did do some research on it and in 2010, many installers were having so many problems with the Power Grout coming out when showering and staining feet. Maybe it has been improved? The first installer wanted me to pick up the Power Grout myself making his price $700 more. Also I am looking over the other estimate I got a few hours earlier before this installer called and it says that this other installer would prime the floor and supply the primer before installing the tile so maybe that is why the estimate is $300 more. This other installer says I am to buy my own grout. I did not consider him as his reply on when I asked what the grout width would be was that it would not be more than 1/4". I want a think grout line. The other two installers told me they would try to get as thin of a grout line as they can ONCE they assess the situation after they remove the Linoleum floor and see how flat the surface is and how the tiles are when they are placed on the floor in the running bond position. Now I am getting confused as I did say he could start and I felt so comfortable with the installer but I wonder if my floor needs to have a primer on it and I wonder if the other guy could install the Epoxy grout also without charging me more than the $300 more IF I buy the grout which I know is expensive. He would have to tell me how much to buy. The guy that is coming on Monday is supplying the TEC grout with the job and was one of the installers given to me by the store. My Spectralock grout has never turned colors and the front foyer still looks almost new since installed at the end of December 2008. The middle foyer where I keep the puppy pads is staining from the pee from my little dogs and it is difficult to keep clean but never turns black like I see in so many houses with light grout.

Yvette Im sorry your upset, It does look lighter in todays photos to me. You have very poor photo quality and in truth you are comparing a Showroom floor with white marble or glass contrast relfecting and a complete different lighting schematic to your tub alcove. There is some solice in lighting. This is repeated on these forums time and again. Stone itself comes in dye lots and VERIES drastically. Stone wicks moisture, from thinset substrate and grout as it cures it gets darker before it lightens. Some thinsets can take 30 days to fully cure, some portland grouts do normalize over 7-10+ days. and there is a dozen things that can go wrong with hand mixed and installed grout. I cannot see close enough the details of your install but I can tell you I have had to watch sales people at tile shops like a hawk in that they are usually not a person to take advise from. Can you be 100% certain they sold you the proper color/brand or did they sell you something similar to sell you something. ? You should have more recourse if you Payed a tile professional to source and purchase the materials themselves grout included and if you have a contract and stayed hands off. One thing homeonwers dont consider when they get involved with these things is the importance of putting all the liability in the contractors hands to afford recourse. People that do the shopping finding deals choosing materials, and then hiring labor have little to no recourse so i hope thats not you.. I suggest further patience and see how it lightens, play with lighting and start to focus on other aspects of your room..