When the conditions become damp, it not only causes serious damage to the property and encourages mould growth – but also attracts termites into your home. If you have any clear defects on the shower surface, tile regrouting will probably fix your leaking shower.
Who would have thought that a little water leak could wreak so much havoc? We see it so often – so we know that prevention is much better (and far less costly) than the cure! The good news is most water leaks can be prevented (or caught early) with regular grout maintenance.
If your grout is visibly cracked or crumbling, it's likely going to be letting water behind your tiles. Even if your grout doesn't appear to be damaged, if it's not water-resistant it could potentially be the source of the leak.
MAPEI offers Penetrating Plus Stone, Tile & Grout Sealer which is a water-based sealer and Penetrating Plus SB Stone & Porcelain Tile Sealer a solvent-based sealer. Let's be clear, sealing does not make grout stain or waterproof.
If you have a high water table the french drain won't keep the water away from the bottom of your concrete slab. So the water from the high water table must be in contact with the concrete slab so the water migrates into the concrete slab and up through the grout joint.
Worst-case scenario, water damage behind your tiles can lead to mold problems. Mold can be a serious health risk to your family. The sooner you identify a problem, the easier it will be to repair it.
Grout is porous and therefore absorbs liquids. Because of this, the reason you should not seal your tile grout is that the sealer's liquid chemicals combine with the grout to create a surface that is actually much more difficult to clean.
The answer is, no, grout is not waterproof. However, it is water resistant. That means it will need to be submerged in water for a very long time before the liquid starts seeping through its material. Read on to find out more about grout's characteristics in relation to water.
Since grout is commonly a cement-based product, the cement material makes the grout porous, causing it to absorb liquids if they are not cleaned up right away. Therefore, grout sealing is an incredibly important process for your tile surfaces.
The Signs Of Water Under The Tiles
Or, you might notice that the tiles are loose when you step on them. Mould or mildew is growing on the grouting or tiles. This often results in a distinct musty smell. The paint around the tiles is peeling due to the excess moisture.
Many authorities recommend sealing shower grout at least once a year as a rule of thumb. However, at Megasealed, we believe that different areas should be subject to additional maintenance considerations depending on whether they are high traffic.
Discolored Grout
Grout discoloration is often the first sign that there is a moisture problem on a tile floor. It is caused by moisture entering the grout, either from above or below.
A question we're often asked is, “how long should grout last in my bathroom last?” Grout doesn't last forever and has a lifespan of between eight and sixteen years, depending on your upkeep and treatment in your shower area specifically.
In my opinion, grout needs to be able to breathe, so that any moisture that gets in behind your tile is able to escape. If you seal the grout, that can't happen. No matter what, moisture - steam and water - eventually will get through the grout, or through a crack in your tile.
With most shower grout sealers, you need to wait for 48 to 72 hours for the grout to cure before applying the sealer. With Universeal's sealer this isn't the case. Ours can be applied immediately after grouting shower tiles and walls.
Myth #4: You can't seal old grout!
While sealing grout as soon as you install your tile is the best way to protect your investment and lower maintenance over its lifespan, it's never too late to seal old grout to avoid future damages.
High-traffic floor grout: Should be sealed every six months to one year. Guest bath and shower grout: Should be sealed every year or two, depending on frequency of use. Backsplash grout: Backsplashes in high-traffic areas should be sealed once yearly on average.
Most grouts, other than those that do not require sealing like epoxy grouts, are extremely porous. Grout is cement-based and the pores will literally take in all the stains, grime and bacteria that lands on them if they aren't sealed.
ANSWER. ANSWER - It is possible to grout over existing grout if there is enough depth to do so. 1/8 inch depth may or may not be adequate depending on the type of grout used. A latex modified grout may work, but you have to properly clean the existing grout to ensure the new grout adequately bonds.
You don't have to remove all of your old grout to apply the new grout. The new grout can be applied right over the top of the existing grout. You will need a grout removal tool, which is a small tool with a sharp blade capable of chipping away the grout.
The main signs to look for are dampness on walls, on the floor, or the ceiling, and a musty odor in the bathroom, even when not in use. Eliminate other causes and easy fixes first, and then, once you're certain it's behind the walls, do the work to pinpoint the cause and source of the shower leak.
First, one of the telltale signs of grout failure is when your grout has holes, or is cracked and breaking down. When the grout is deteriorating, this can cause your tiles to become loose or come off entirely. Another indication of grout failure is any sign of mold or mildew.