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Uneven Colouring

Ideally, grout has a consistent colouring from one side of the room to the other. In practice, it is not unusual to see fluctuation in the colour. This issue can be caused by many issues. Most commonly, the error comes from issues mixing the grout. If only half of the bag is used to mix a batch, it is possible for the colour pigment to be uneven from one batch to the next. Also, if extra water is added into a batch of grout to rehydrate it during the job, the colour will be lighter after the water is added. Another common cause is using dirty water or a dirty sponge to wipe off the tiles during grouting or removal of grout haze.

Bad Grout.

Generally powdered grouts expire after one year, while sealed epoxy grouts have can be stored indefinitely if they are not exposed to freezing temperatures. One of the components in powdered grout is cement, which must be mixed with water and allowed to cure in order to become firm and stable. If your grout powder has clumps or small, hard lumps in it, the powder has likely been exposed to water or humidity and should not be used. Lumpy grout is either bad already or well on its way.

Bad Installation

Sometimes a grout job can go wrong even when the grout is fine. Adding the right amount of water is critical to a grouting job. Too much water makes grout runny and prevents it from ever drying and curing properly. Grout should be mixed to the consistency of cake batter and should never be refreshed by adding more water. If grout begins to dry, mix a fresh batch rather than attempting to salvage the drying batch.

Stains

Grout is a very porous material, so it tends to absorb moisture, which can cause staining. If the grout is not properly sealed after drying, you will likely have this problem. The procedure is quick and easy. Once your grout is dry and you have cleaned your tiles of grout haze, apply grout sealant to your lines using a sponge or applicator brush. Wait the recommended time listed on the bottle for the sealant to penetrate and wipe it off with a clean rag. Repeat this procedure yearly to prevent stains in your grout.

Cleaning

Grout, being the low area between your tiles, tends to accumulate grime and get nasty. Its porous, craggy surface makes cleaning notoriously difficult. While you will not be able to simply pass a mop over the floor and call it done, cleaning dirt and grime from your grout does not have to be a nightmare. Mix a solution of ½ cup of baking soda, ¼ cup of vinegar and 7 cups of water. Spray the mixture onto your grout lines with a spray bottle and work it in with a sponge or old toothbrush. Wipe the tile dry with a cloth to finish the job. For tough stains, mix a solution of one-part bleach to five parts water and scrub until the stains are gone.