What is causing my grout to have variations in color?
Uneven grout color is not normal but there can be a number of things that can cause blotchy grout. Also how uneven the color appears can be somewhat subjective. Certain color grouts are not as easy to control. The easiest colors to work with are the medium grays and beiges as opposed to bright colors, whites, blacks, etc. Since most grout is cement based it tends to turn gray with time and cleaning. Grout sealers are now recommended to reduce this effect. Some of the things that can cause color variation include: 1) Too much water added in mixing the grout. 2) Improper cleaning of the grout and grout haze off the tile (usually by wiping too soon and with too much water). 3) Leaving plastic spacers in the joints, 4) Having the thinset adhesive fill part of the joint and showing through. 5) Improper mixing of the grout by using an improper amount of water 6) Mixing partial bags (this is a problem if the colorant is not evenly distributed). 7) Using grout from a bag that was previously op
