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Top 10 Causes of Grout Turning Yellow

Top 10 Causes of Grout Turning Yellow

Home and business owners and property managers have a common complaint about the grout in their showers and floors turning yellow. Testing can help determine what is causing the problem. Solutions will vary, depending on the cause. Here are the details.

1. Toiletries

Shampoos, soaps, and other personal items used in showers contain chemicals that can cause discoloration, and hence, yellowing of grout. This is especially true of hair dyes and shampoos that contain coloring agents. Check the product labels to see whether products contain dyes, polymers, or other ingredients that may cause grout to turn yellow.

2. Body Oils

Skin and hair oils contain many contaminants that can cause discoloration of not only grout but also tile. These body oils are what cause the familiar yellow stain, ring-around-the-collar.

3. Sealers and Waxes

Sealers and various waxes can contain polymers that can discolor over time and cause yellowing.

4. Grout Type

Numerous grout types are prone to yellowing. For example, white epoxy grouts are notorious for turning yellow.

5. Cleaning Products

Certain cleaners, especially those that contain dyes, can cause discoloration of grout. Household bleach commonly discolors grout. Check the product labels to see whether products contain dyes, polymers, or other ingredients that may cause grout to turn yellow.

6. Iron

Certain water supplies contain iron. Water containing iron can deposit minerals on the grout that can oxidize and cause a yellow discoloration. If the water used to mix the grout during installation contained iron, this can also cause discoloration. Your professional stone and tile restoration technician can do a test to determine if your water supply and/or your grout contain iron. If your water supply contains iron, install a water filtration system.

7. Dirty Water

Water used to mop floors can rapidly get dirty. The dirt, oils, etc. will settle on the grout lines and cause a yellow cast. It is important to keep your mop head clean and change the mop water often.

8. Cigarette Smoke

Cigarette smoke can settle on grout lines, causing the grout to turn yellow. Obviously, smoking outdoors will eliminate further yellowing of grout, as well as walls, furniture, and household items.

9. Aerosol Sprays

Hairspray, air freshener, and other aerosol sprays can sometimes cause grout discoloration. Check the product labels to see whether products contain dyes, polymers, or other ingredients that may cause grout to turn yellow.

10. Bleed Over

Certain tile types, such as white marble, contain iron. Iron from the tile can bleed into the grout and oxidize, causing the grout to turn yellow.

As you can see, there are numerous reasons for your grout to turn yellow. An experienced stone and tile restoration professional will have the knowledge, skills, and equipment to accurately diagnose and resolve most grout yellowing problems.

Recolor or Replace Yellowed Grout?

A good professional cleaning can often remove contaminants that cause grout to turn yellow. Once your grout is completely clean, ask your professional stone and tile restoration technician to seal the grout with a good penetrating sealer. Be sure to take the necessary precautions, such as discontinuing the use of certain products, smoking outside, or installing a water filtration system, so that your grout will not turn yellow again.

Some grout stains will permanently set, especially those that have been on or in the grout for a long time. If so, your stone and tile restoration technician can apply a high-quality grout color sealer, for a fresh, clean look, as long as the grout is in good condition and not falling apart. Grout that is in poor condition should be removed and replaced.


This article, written by Fred Hueston, Chief Technical Director of SurpHaces, and president of Stone Forensics, is one of a series of articles written and published on behalf of SurpHaces PRO Partners.

4 Most Common Carpet Problems

Keeping carpets fresh, clean, and inviting does not need to be difficult. This article addresses the four most common carpet problems and how they can be resolved or avoided.

Common Carpet Problems

The true condition of carpeting goes much deeper than what you can see. Spots, odor, allergens, and dirt are the four most common carpet problems. Of these problems, spots are usually conspicuous and odor can alert home or business owners to a problem, whereas the other problems may not be as apparent. Allergens in carpet can go unnoticed until people with allergies have some sort of reaction. Many people do not realize that dirt and other abrasive contaminants cause premature wear. Once signs of wear become apparent, the damage is already done.

How to Remove Carpet Spots

It is hard to look past spots on carpet. These unsightly marks can have a way of making people question the overall cleanliness of your home, even if your home is perfectly clean. Basic spot removal procedures are as follows. First, remove any loose debris. Use a paper towel to grab and lift, or if necessary, use a spoon or plastic spatula to scrape the carpet. If the spot is dry, vacuum up any remaining loose stuff. If the spot is wet, use a clean white cloth to blot up the moisture, rotating to clean areas of the cloth as you progress. This can take a while. Be patient. For carpets with protective treatment, moistening a clean white cloth with plain water and dabbing the spot may be enough. Use a dry white cloth to remove any excess moisture once the spot is gone. For more challenging spots, refer to the spot removal tips starting on page 10 of our free, downloadable Carpet and Interior Textiles Care Guide.

Odors

Carpeting acts like a large filter. This can be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on the level of care your carpet receives. Indoor air quality improves with carpeting, because it traps all kinds of odors. However, odors, and especially pet odors, can be a big turn-off. With regular vacuuming and professional carpet cleaning your indoor air AND your carpet can smell clean and fresh.

Allergens

For people with allergies or sensitivity to dust particles, removing dust, dirt, allergens, and other pollutants from your carpet is especially important. Sneezing and watery eyes are no fun. To resolve this problem, vacuum often. Use high quality HEPA filters in both your HVAC system and your vacuum cleaner. These filters can help trap small particles and prevent them from moving through the air or landing on your carpet.

Dirt

Carpets that look brand new create a positive first impression. The best way to prevent premature wear of your carpeting is to vacuum often so that abrasive dirt and debris does not have a chance to break down the tiny fibers deep down in your carpet. Regular, professional deep cleaning will remove damage-causing grit that becomes embedded despite vacuuming. Professional cleaning will also help bring out the color and like-new beauty of your carpets.

Fresh, clean carpets enhance the quality of your living space. Actively resolving or avoiding the most common carpet problems can go a long way in not only making your space feel more inviting, but also in maximizing the life of your carpet.


This is one of a series of articles written and published on behalf of SurpHaces PRO Partners.