I had my master bath totally retiled about 5 months ago, by a very reputable company. The entire shower all the way to the ceiling was retiled with large ceramic squares and very small grout lines, almost like marble. The tile is dark grey green and the grout used was 'french grey' a very dark color. It looked stunning. However, it wasn't two weeks, and the lower half of the shower area, was looking lighter, and then whiter in the grout lines. In essence, everywhere water touched, it is looking whiteish.

I called the tile store, had two tilers look at it. And heard some suggestions. Was it sealed? They said it was. Regrouting is too major a job, epoxy stain(?) sounds like a smelly hazardous substance. Or a grout stain in a matching color? Cleaning it, would only make it whiter. It seemed to one tile person that it was caused by the chlorine, and that it is a very common problem. It seems to me, if everyone who had dark grout installed in their showers, and it all discolored there would be a million lawsuits. My tilers just looked flumoxed.

What gives??? One said I should live with it. But, after spending thousands, I think in time, it will look really bad, and I don't know what to do.

What are your suggestions? What's done is done, I can't go back in time, but surely others who have encountered this problem can suggest a solution? In the old days I had white tile with white grout that turned dark, and now I have new dark tile and grout and it's turning white! BTW, I use normal soap and shampoo, nothing fancy.

Thanks.

Sorry about overlooking your question, but your message was smothered by the 17 messages from "wgy3035411".
Grout discoloration, especially color fading or shading problems, can often are traced to "OE" aka operator error. The contents of the grout package can settle during shipment. Heavier particles to the bottom and lighter to the top. Bags are usually laid flat then tipped up then the container is opened and only enough of the contents are poured out when installations are small or have very small grout joints negating the use of the entire contents of the container that would ideally be mixed at one time in one container. The color pigments can be dispersed unevenly and opening a lid and pouring out a small portion can cause these kinds of complaints. Your comments about wet areas turning lighter verses the other grout joints also hints that sealers were un-effective or not used. Shower water and soap film can also enter pores or coat the grout leaving a light film behind after the walls and grout air dry. I always said dark grout turns light and light grout turns dark over time. There should not be enough Chlorine in your water to cause this fading or lightening. You have not said whether or not the grout lines appear darker while showering or while they are wet. If so the above scenarios could apply. “Aqua Mix Grout Colorant” is a waterborne epoxy that is easy to use and should not cause you any stress. Their darkest grey is Pewter. Check their web site for the color chart. Their product is sold in the “Orange” store and other tiles stores. Armen Tavy

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Armen Tavy