The grout on our new tile floor appears beige in some places and white in others. the floor was completed about 6 weeks ago. It is a white hexagonal ceramic tile with white grout. I first noticed it a day or two after it was completed, but because there was other work going on in our bathroom - panelling, painting, electrical etc. I left it. The contractor did not comment on it, so I didn't pursue it. Then as things were being completed, I decided to wash the floor. Still it did not get better. Then I decided to try to seal it - I used an acrylic sealer. Nobody told me not to use it. it looks no different, and now I am really upset. The tiler came back today to see what he could do. He left frustrated and not sure what is wrong, after scrubbing it. What can we do? Is it my problem that I have to fix, now that the bathroom is nearly finished? The shower has the same problem, but it has not been sealed.

What brand of grout was used? Is it sanded or unsanded?

Many times if too much water is used on the clean up, it causes discoloring. If that's the case, you can either take out the discolored spots and regrout or get some grout stain and do the whole thing. For best results I'd go with the grout stain.

This is one of the reasons I like Prism grout. It's a little more expensive, but it's very consistent throughout.

If I wanted good color consistency and stain resistance, I'd go with an epoxy grout.

This can happen with white grout if the grout is applied too quickly after the tile is set. The grout draws some of the pigment out of the thinset, or worse oil out of the mastic. How long was it between setting the tile and grouting and how warm was the site?

The tiling contractor is coming shortly to see the grout. He is thinking of putting a stain on it to make it white. What do you think? Will something like this last? If he decides to do this the tiler will be here tomorrow to do it.
How do you add pictures with the reply?

You won't be able to use any stain products on the grout that has already been sealed.

You can add photos directly by uploading them to an image hosting site and then copying that link to your post.

You could also post the photos in the Ceramic Tile forum, subheading "Post photos of the project you're having trouble with"

That is true. The sealer would have to be removed.

In your case I would contact the stain manufacturer to see what might be done, and also to make sure that you could use white over whatever color you already have.

Our tile contractor came yesterday and put some acrylic stain on a small area of the grout. So far, it looks good. We are going to discuss this with our general contractor, but I need your opinion what you think about this solution. Will this keep it white? or will it go dirty quickly again, even with washing it. He also said that regrouting is an option, although I know he doesn't want to do that. I'm not sure I do either.

Just an update the tiling contractor has let me know that he is going to re-grout the floor. I am so pleased. He decided that this was the best option since the they could not guarantee the stain they were considering to use would work since I had already sealed the floor.
Thanks for your interest and advice.

that's good to hear. I've only had that problems once in the last five years and re-grouting (painful though it was) definitely is the best option.

After three days of cutting out the old grout the tiler has now re-grouted our bathroom floor. He used Accucolor XT grout and said that it doesn't have to be sealed. What does everyone think of this grout? How long do I wait until I can clean the tiles? Also is it safe for the plumber to come in to finish installing the sinks?