Since grout sets up under water, you may have to get a licensed plumber with powerful sewer and drain cleaning technology to try and clear the line. If the line is plastic, you may be able to break up the grout and push it down to a larger line.
You can stick something into the holes, like a flathead screwdriver, and turn it to grind the grout away. Also, since grout is brittle and metal is ductile, you can try to pry the metal off, using the screwdriver as acrowbar, or gently tap it with a hammer.
Soften grout on floor tiles by soaking it with sugar water, a lemon juice solution, or a vinegar solution for 10–20 minutes. For a stronger way to break down grout, use a chemical remover like sulfamic acid or grout dissolver spray instead.
Grout and thinset mortar are types of concrete and should never be rinsed down drains.
The chemical I know for cleaning mortar is muriatic acid. You should be able to find it in a home improvement store. You might try pouring a cup or two down the drain and letting it sit for a few hours before hitting it with a plumbers snake and a lot of hot water.
If it is a lot of grout, it may break loose and go down and clog another line. Sometimes it's necessary to break up floor drains and other lines. Unfortunately there is no easy solution for this drain problem.
Vinegar can only dissolve smaller mortars. You will need a more penetrative method to clean all those old and large-sized mortar residues. You might need a large amount of vinegar to dissolve a medium-sized mortar cleanly.
Mix equal parts of distilled white vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle. Spray the solution on the grout, working on one small area at a time. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes. Thereafter, scrub the area with a brush or a stiff toothbrush.
Typically it will weaken the grout and eventually it will start to crumble and even fall out.
There are several ways to eliminate the haze: wiping with water or vinegar, scrubbing with a rubber float, or using chemical cleaners. Keep reading for more details and to make sure you use the right method for your tiles to avoid damaging them!
Vinegar can indeed ruin grout.
Once lodged in these spaces, vinegar will corrode grout with the passage of time. The grout will eventually wear off. So you should take not to apply vinegar for cleaning purposes if you have unsealed grout in the area.
Is hydrogen peroxide safe for grout? Yes, hydrogen peroxide is a natural neutral cleaner that is safe to use on grout.
As go-to grout and tile care specialists, The Grout Medic truly wants what is best for your tile. Waiting too long to wipe grout could result in unsightly grout haze. Don't wait too long to wipe off grout!
In a small bowl, mix together 1 cup of sugar and 1-gallon hot water. This mixture will soften the grout, allowing you to scrub it away. Using a clean cloth, sponge, or brush, apply the sugar and water mixture to the grout you want to remove.
Acid. It is also possible to dissolve concrete with acid, allowing the substance to soften and allow the backed-up water and debris to start to flow through. Pour hydrochloric acid (sometimes also known as muriatic acid) into the clogged drain and leaving it for between two and three hours.
Sulfumic acid will work if the grout is not too thick, the main concern is what it will do to the tile underneath. Again, find a small spot to test first. Etching is usually caused because the tile absorbs the acid. To limit this, I would wet the tile pretty thoroughly with clean water first.
Grout Is Porous
While grout seals the spaces between tiles, it is still porous, meaning water can seep through. Over time, the porous nature of grout allows moisture to penetrate deeper into the wall cavity. This is especially problematic for showers, where water exposure is constant.
Exposure to airborne dust or wet grout may cause immediate or delayed irritation of the eyes. Depending on the level of exposure, effects may range from redness to chemical burns and blindness. Some workers can become allergic to the hexavalent chromium in cement.
For grout to work its magic, it should be left to dry for a reasonable amount of time; otherwise, all your efforts will be ruined. On average, grout takes around 24-72 hours to dry. However, several factors play a role in determining how long grout takes to dry.
If you're a die-hard DIYer, using Dawn dish soap alone can be a safer option for mild cleaning. Dilute a small amount of Dawn in warm water, scrub the grout with a soft brush, and rinse thoroughly. However, this method is less effective for tackling stubborn stains or deep-seated grime.
Here's a few DIY grout cleaners you can try: Make a spreadable paste with 3/4 cup baking soda with 1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide and 1 tablespoon of mild dish soap. Add more baking soda or peroxide if the mixture is too runny or thick.
Cleaning concrete with vinegar or baking soda is a good option if you are looking for a natural cleaner. While cleaning concrete with bleach or detergent can be effective, it can also be toxic to plants.
Lime is an alkaline material, and will fizz violently in acid. Chip off a small section of mortar, and drop it in a dish of white vinegar. If it fizzes violently, it's most likely lime! Be aware that cement does also fizz a bit, but slowly and not as frothily as lime.
Vinegar is an acidic cleaner that can etch concrete if used undiluted or left on for too long. However, when used appropriately, diluted vinegar can effectively clean concrete driveways, removing stains and grime while being a cost-effective and natural cleaning solution.