About Ron Unger Expertise Floor and wall preparation and layout for the installation of ceramic, porcelain and natural stone tiles. Tile repairs, waterproofing of shower seats, pans, walls, steamers and floors. Floating and setting shower pans, walls and floors. grouting, cleaning and sealing sanded, unsanded and epoxy grouts. General knowledge of tile products and the application of products.
Experience I've been in the ceramic tile trade for 21 years, the first 10 years as a tile finisher and the last 11 years as a journeyman tile layer. I've worked in the residential and commercial fields. I've served as Forman as well as layed tile on jobs such as; Car Dealerships, Grocery Stores, Movie Theaters, Hotels, Office Bldgs. ect... As well as; Multi Million Dollar Homes and Condominiums.
Education/Credentials I've attended a tile finishers course and a tile layers course. I am also trained in blueprint reading as well as OSHA certified.
Awards and Honors The company I work for won an award for their ceramic tile work done on the Mexican Consulate in Chicago from the "Tile Contractors Association of America", which I was the forman on.
Question We just installed a porcelain tile floor in kitchen using 18" honed thesaurm tile imola. We grouted with sanded grout and the floor looks great but after a week or so when the sun would shine on the floor you would see dull water spots on floor. Regular cleaning would not take them up. We tried viniger and water and some grout haze cleaners that did not work. The store recomended Tecbanish and that worked but the dull spots eventually came back not sure if they are the same spots. Does honed porcelain mean that it is all natural with no polish or glaze or is there a protective shipping polish? Im not sure how to go about trying to get this problem fixed or is the tile ruined or can it get ruined? does it need a sealer?
Thanks for the help
Answer Hi John,
I'm sure the tile isn't ruined. It sounds like you are trying some of the right things. These spots may be a residue from the latex in the thinset. Using a sealer is not a bad idea but I would first try first to remove the water spots.
As far as using vinegar, I don't know how strong you used it but I would first try a strong solution again. Maybe 1 gal. to a 5 gal. bucket of water (4 to 1). If that don't work a mild acid wash. But using acid should be done by a professional or done with extreme caution. I use a masonry cleaner acid called,
"Sure Klean Detergent 600" they also make a "Grout & Tile Cleaner" http://www.prosoco.com/ProductDetail.asp?ID=%7B3DD244A3-CBD3-44DA-8368-C1C4EC52F...
Acid wash must be added to the water to avoid splashing. Safety protection must be worn. acid must never be applied to metals or woods of any kind. Mixing, about 16 to 24 oz. to 3 gal. of water. Using a sponge wet a small 3"x3" area, scrub blue nylon scrub pad, remove excess solution with the sponge. After the floor has been cleaned rinse with clean water, add to the rinse water 2oz of baking soda per 1 gal. of water.
After the floor completely dries and you are satisfied with the results then I would seal the tile and grout. I use "Miracle Sealants 511 Porous Plus" http://www.miraclesealants.com/s_porous_plus.html
John, I hope this answer will be of som help to you. Please feel free to write back with any other questions you may have.
Thank You,
Ron
