Tile seams in the bathroom, in the kitchen very often turn yellow or completely moldy. Sometimes it does not work to wash them with ordinary detergents - yellowness still shines through. A special marker for bleaching the joints between the tiles will come to the rescue. It looks like an ordinary pencil, but in reality it is able to return the attractive appearance of the masonry in a matter of minutes.
- Why is bleaching of joints required?
- Marker Composition
- Marker Specifications
- Advantages and Disadvantages of Markers
- How to use a tile marker - instructions
- Other variations of bleaching grout for joints
- Cement means
- Epoxy products
- Polymer cladding
- The use of folk remedies
Why is bleaching of joints required?
A marker for plumbing work, he is also a pencil for bleaching seams - a unique invention that helps to update tile joints without unnecessary time costs. The marker is designed to process joints in any room, especially where household chemicals can not cope. This tool is most often used to improve the appearance of the old masonry, because over time, fungi and bacteria begin to multiply on white seams. Microorganisms penetrate deep into the grout of tile joints, secrete waste products that cause blackening and yellowing. That is why it is not possible to wipe the spots manually.
A plumbing marker is a real miracle, it is used to paint the most old spots, drips, it helps to disinfect seams and get rid of mold. Having bought a marker, you will not need to remove the old grout and apply a new one. It is enough to draw a strip with this special tool to obtain snow-white inter-tile seams. The pencil is harmless, non-toxic, not dangerous for children and pets, it can be used in any room where it is required.
Marker Composition
The main component of the marker is white ink with a high hiding power, which can be used for various finishing works. They are odorless because they do not contain solvents or other harmful components.
The ink is opaque, after application they provide a beautiful varnish effect to the tile joints. They are also waterproof, so they can be used even in places where moisture regularly gets. In addition to ink, the composition of the marker includes special fungicides and antiseptics that destroy microorganisms and prevent their reappearance.
to contents ↑Marker Specifications
You can purchase a plumbing marker at any major hardware store, such as Leroy Merlin. The most popular brands are Snowball, Edding E-8200, Grout Aide, Bradex. You can also order a marker with "AliExpress", which presents products of Chinese and other manufacturers. Means have approximately the same parameters and properties: water resistance, resistance to ultraviolet radiation, high adhesion to surfaces. Outwardly, they all resemble a regular marker with a tip, a removable cap. The marker body is plastic, it is filled with a white solution. The approximate dimensions of the product are as follows:
- length - 15 cm;
- diameter - 1.5-2 cm;
- pen thickness - up to 3-4 mm;
- weight - 25-30 g.
to contents ↑Markers of some brands have a spare writing tip. Any pencil contains detailed instructions for use.Means can be used to paint grooves near the sinks, between the tiles, at the countertop. After lining, the seams dry quickly, over time, the ink does not crumble. Among Chinese markers, you can find not only white, but also colored ones, which manage to give the tile masonry an original look.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Markers
The advantage of the marker is its absolute safety for humans and the environment due to its eco-friendly composition. The tool can be used at any time, because it does not have a smell, therefore the room does not require ventilation. Resistance to water is a huge plus: you will not need to additionally buy moisture-proofing compounds. Other advantages of the marker:
- ease of application, speed and ease of operation;
- the presence of a powerful antiseptic effect;
- beautiful varnish coating of the finished seam;
- high drying speed even with increased humidity in the room;
- long-term result;
- a dense layer through which yellow and black spots do not shine through;
- perfect whiteness of the finished coating.
Cons of a plumbing pencil is also there. Reviews say that many Chinese-made products are of poor quality. Sometimes markers come dried up or completely empty. In addition, the packaging is enough for a small area of tile masonry, so for the bathroom you will have to purchase several markers (each price is 100-170 rubles). Also, the disadvantages include the fact that it is better to use the marker exclusively for walls: on the floor, the seams will quickly become dirty, covered with dust, and returning them to a snow-white appearance will not be easy.
to contents ↑How to use a tile marker - instructions
To apply the means of special knowledge, skills are not required. To return the tile to its fresh appearance, you only need a marker, but first you need to prepare the walls for work. If you wash them or wipe them with a cloth, removing heavy dirt, you can reduce the consumption of white ink and reduce costs.
Paint should be applied after complete drying of the tile joints. It is necessary to take the marker out of the package, shake it well, then remove the protective cap and proceed to fill the tile joints. To do this, simply move the marker along the seams, pressing it a little and drawing straight lines. The thickness of the applied layer should be minimal, this will be enough to ensure an even white color after drying.
The width of the marker pen most often matches the size of the seams, so the work will go at a fast pace. Even large spots are painted over with a single ink application. During operation, you need to periodically shake the contents of the package so that the paint does not settle and wet the pen well. After the staining of the seams is completed, it is necessary to evaluate the result and apply another layer of ink where there are blemishes. The marker can be used repeatedly, it is important only to tightly close the cap for storage. The pen erases faster, so it’s better if there is a spare in the kit. You can use the bathroom and wet the walls after the marker has completely dried.
to contents ↑Other variations of bleaching grout for joints
How to bleach the seams in the bathroom if the marker is not available? You can use high-quality grout for joints, which will create a beautiful and durable coating. Grouting is applied between the elements of the masonry initially, because in the absence of gaps, the tile can be deformed. Grout also corrects roughness, smoothes out irregularities that occur when cutting individual elements, and enhances the thermal characteristics of masonry.
The use of grouts with antiseptic properties reduces the risk of mold, which likes to settle in wet rooms.The grout mixture does not allow germs and moisture to penetrate under the tile, therefore, the masonry will last longer. Grouts are different, it all depends on their components and basic properties.
Cement means
Cement-based grouts are the most popular, inexpensive, durable, and have a high level of adhesion to the surface. They are sold as a free-flowing mixture that you just need to dilute with water before application. In addition to white cement, quartz sand, plasticizers, modifying additives are present in the composition.
Epoxy products
Trowelling mixtures with epoxy are the most expensive, but the most durable. They are difficult to work, but the resulting seam does not yellow for a long time, does not crumble at all and can last for decades. It is recommended to use such compositions in places with constant contact of walls with moisture: the water resistance of epoxy is at the highest level.
Polymer cladding
Such products are characterized by moderate strength, but have excellent water-repellent properties. Usually they are used to perform a hydrophobic layer in tile masonry. Polymer seams can be painted in any color, so they are appreciated and often used by experienced designers.
The use of folk remedies
There are a number of home-made ways that you can also clean and bleach the seams in the bathroom. Here are the most popular ones:
- A mixture of lemon, soda, vinegar. Use such a “bleach” can only be worn with gloves. Take ½ cup soda, pour the juice of 1 lemon, ¼ cup vinegar (9%). Pour the resulting mass with 1.5 liters of water, mix. Use a sponge or an old toothbrush moistened with a solution to clean the tile joints. In case of severe contamination, apply liquid, leave for 20 minutes, then rinse.
- Ammonia. Dilute a tablespoon of ammonia with a liter of water, pour into a spray bottle, spray the wall. After 20 minutes, wash off the solution with a rag.
- "White". Apply twice the “White” diluted with water on the seam area with a small sponge, after the disappearance of dirt, thoroughly wash the wall from chlorine. You can also mix soda and “White” equally: you get a very powerful cleaning, bleaching agent. Work only with gloves, a respirator!
- Toothpaste, mustard, soda, lemon. You can get rid of dirt at the seams like this: take ½ cup soda, combine with 1/3 cup lemon juice, a tablespoon of mustard powder, a tablespoon of toothpaste. Pour the mixed mass with a liter of water. Using a sponge, rub the product into the grout, then rinse.
- Salt. To remove impurities, you can wet the sponge with water, take a little salt with it, and treat the surfaces well. It is also allowed to use a brush for salt cleaning. After finishing work, the remaining salt must be removed with water.
- Hydrogen peroxide. Best of all, this pharmacy cleans cement grout joints. You just need to moisten them with undiluted peroxide, wipe with a sponge and rinse.
It is recommended to treat persistent stains with hot steam using a kettle and an iron. Best of all, such manipulations work out using a steam generator for clothes. After steaming, the dirt can be removed, in addition, mold and fungus will also die, and the tile will remain clean for a long time.
