If your grout is coming loose, or showing signs of cracking or crumbling, it means that your tiles are MOVING, due to a buildup of pressure under your floor. The pressure, caused by a lack of expansion lines, or an issue with the adhesive under your tiles which is causing them to shift.
The installer might have mixed too much water in with the grout or used too much water at that spot in the floor when dressing the joint. Or the grout itself could have been bad. To increase your chances of a repair that lasts, I recommend that you carefully chisel out as much of the grout as possible.
If a patch of grout in the middle of a dry floor crumbles and breaks loose, the floor might have flexed, and all you need to do is scrape out the loose parts, clean the area thoroughly and fill it in with matching grout or color-matched caulk, which will stay slightly flexible and might stay in place better.
You can apply new grout right over the top of the old grout. To do this, all you need is a grout removal tool. Use the tool to strike out the old grout, making sure the depth is at least 2mm, which is about the thickness of two dimes stacked one on top of the other.
At this point you may wonder if a complete re-grout is necessary or if it would be possible to simply put new grout over old grout. The answer is, yes, it is possible to put new grout over old grout.
Grout doesn't last forever. You can expect a lifespan between eight and sixteen years. Its lifespan will vary depending on how you treat your shower.
Though small areas can be regrouted, grout removal is still required. The Grout Medic of San Diego Metro's re-grouting service is perfect for small areas of tile, or even small areas of damage on an expansive area of tile.
Too Much Water in the Mix
If the installer mixes too much water in the grout, or uses too much water while dressing the joint, the grout may fail.
Grout needs to be sealed. It's naturally porous and will stain easily. Most installers of tile floors do not seal them because grout has to cure first. It's something you should do to keep your grout looking its best.
Whether you have shower tiles coming off the wall, grout that is molding or falling out, water intrusion behind the tile or the shower itself is leaking, there is typically one common cause. That cause is water penetrating the grout and infiltrating the tile backing.
For high-traffic areas, like the main bathroom, you should consider sealing it every six months, while low-traffic areas like the guest bathroom can be resealed every two years. If you are using epoxy grout, it might not be necessary to reseal it as it is highly water-resistant.
You can grout with your finger. First apply the grout with a float, then neaten the grout line by running your finger along the lines. Leave to harden off a little before wiping the excess grout from the tiles' surfaces. After you have wiped, check the lines and again use your finger to create a neat finish.
You may not need to remove most of the grout. It may be possible to apply new grout over old grout without removing it at some places. However, where the grout has deteriorated heavily through crumbling or become too dirty, it is best to remove it before applying new grout.
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.
Is Regrouting Difficult? Regrouting a bathroom shower or tub stall may seem difficult, but it really is just grunt work. The process is relatively simple and an entire shower regrout can usually be finished in about a day – even by someone who has never grouted tile before.
This may make one wonder, is grout waterproof? 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.
Optimally, no more than 30 minutes should pass for the initial wiping off of excess grout. This process must be performed gently with a wet grout sponge during regrouting.
Why are There Pinholes in My Grout? Pinholes happen when the grout is mixed with too much water. This causes a thin consistency, so the grout is unable to provide full coverage. The mixture pulls apart causing holes to appear.
So, do grout pens work? The answer is yes. They are a great way to temporarily bring back the color and shine of dirty, stained grout between professional tile cleanings. They're easy to apply and dry fast, so you can return to enjoying your tiled surfaces in no time.
To maintain the integrity of grout, you will have to apply a grout sealer. It is necessary to apply the sealer after 1 to 2 years so that the grout remains intact and waterproof. Sealing grout is necessary because it without a waterproof covering it absorb not just water but bacteria and stains as well.
Sealing grout helps to protect wet areas from water damage and prevents bacteria and mould from growing. It's a simple but important process to do and will even improve the longevity of your tiles.