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Not loving my backsplash - redo whole thing? Pics. Bill pls help

15 years ago

Any thoughts on how to move forward from this situation?

I loved the glass tile we had selected for our backsplash but I'm not loving the grout. The bottom rows of the grout look much whiter than the top few rows. It gradually seems to go from white to grayer, bottom to top, so already has this worn dirty look where the grout has not dried up evenly. My contractor swears it's the grout. I'm not so sure as we had a problem with uneven grout installed by them in the bathroom.

I don't know if I'll ever be happy with it so it may have to come down. There's also a weird sheen/hazy thing going on around the upper rows of the tile (center).

What's involved in redoing the backsplash - will I damage my cabinets? countertops? will the tiles be reusable? I'm so disappointed. Any advice appreciated. Thank you.

{{!gwi}}

{{!gwi}}

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Comments (10)

cooperbailey
15 years ago
Maybe my monitor but I just don't see it.
raenjapan
15 years ago
How long has that been up? I can't see a color difference, but it looks like the grout haze hasn't been removed yet. If you take a paper towel and rub one of the hazy tiles, does it clean up or not?

You can't re-use the tiles after they've been removed.
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edlakin
15 years ago
yeah, it looks like grout haze to me. should clean up fine.

and i don't see much, if any, variation in the grout color. your grout lines are so thin anyway. you're only noticing it because you're micro-analyzing it.

overall, it looks good.
bill_vincent
15 years ago
I agree on the grout haze. Try going to HD or LOwes, to the tile aisle, and pick up a jar of NONacid grout haze remover, and follow the directions on the side of the jar. I also can't see the difference in grout color, but iof you're seeing a haze on the top section of the tile, maybe the top didn't get cleaned as well suring the grouting process, which would indicate some haze residue on top of the grout joint, as well as the tile, and if it's only on the top of the wall, that could explain why the grout looks different on top. Let see what happens once you clean the tile.
tartanhabit
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks for the tips on the grout haze remover and other comments. Bill, if the grout on the lower lines did get cleaned or wiped up more, is it possible that the color of the grout could get 'washed out'? The way it's dried on the lower rows looks more like a pure white and lighter than the sample was. I actually think the higher rows look truer to the color we were expecting.

When I buy non-acid grout haze remover will it be labelled 'non-acid grout haze remover'??!! Need to not mess up further!
bill_vincent
15 years ago
Yes, it will.
lyfia
15 years ago
I don't see the grout color difference either. Could it be shadows from the light making you see that difference?
mmme
15 years ago
Hi Tartanhabit,

I definitely see the haze and agree with others that clearing that up might resolve the problem. Also agree with lyfia that it could be shadows. I am AMAZED at how much different tiles and paint chips look when I place them under the cabinets. Even if it doesn't look like they are in shadow, there is clearly a different quality of light back there.

But problems aside, I love your tiles! I think they looks terrific with your cabinets and counters and I hope you're able to clear things up. They will look super when the haze is removed. What brand/color are they?
tartanhabit
Original Author
15 years ago
mmme, thanks for the kind words. I love our tiles too and believe me, I looked at every shade of glass tile possible so am happy with how they work with other things in the kitchen.

They are made by AKDO, are 3 X 6 and are the Beach Glass tile in Sky color. They are not completely matte nor are they glossy shiny.
miles661
15 years ago
Before tearing out the tiles I would see about knocking out the grout (there's a tool for that) and re-grouting. Were two different batches of grout mixed to complete the b-splash? That may acount for the varying color (which isn't evident on my 'puter screen and I have a 27"). Good luck!

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