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Epoxy grout or Tek Power grout

8 years ago

My heart was set on epoxy for our kitchen, laundry and bath. Contractor assures that Tek power grout is better and will be happier. I am I familiar with this product. Suggestions? Will have 1/16 grout lines with 18x18 tiles thanks

Epoxy

Power grout

Featured Answer

Decorating Mama

2 years ago

I haven't used TEC grout, but I've used epoxy grout many times and love it. Laticrete came out with a new pre-made grout, supposedly the same as their 3-part spectralock epoxy. Tried it in my mudroom a couple months ago and it's already looking stained in some areas. I will ONLY use epoxy grout from now on!

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Comments (9)

PRO
Brickwood Builders, Inc.
8 years ago
I know there are others that disagree, but IMO epoxy grout does not look the same and looks unnatural to me. I would go for power grout.
PRO
Grout Works of Central NJ
8 years ago
If you builder said that power grout is better than epoxy grout it's because he does not want to use epoxy grout. There is no question that in terms of durability and cleaning epoxy grout us better. Many tile installers are not comfortable using epoxy grout which is much more difficult to work with. I would caution you that if your builder is taking care of grouting floor I would not have them use epoxy grout if they are used to working with it. You will end up with a nightmare...
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I wish I had gone with my gut and used what we‘ve always used in the past. we went on the contractors recommendation. We used this on a newly tiled shower floor as well as the walls. I noticed a bad smell (not sewer gas) every night the contractors left. Its hard to describe. i assumed it was something in the mortar? We let this cure for 4 days. The smell was on and off and didnt have to do with a dry shower. Big thing I noticed was that the grout seemed to absorb the water. It turned from a light to a dark grey when wet. You shouldnt have to seal this Read the bag. Sealant not needed Same with our ceramic tiles our other grout does NOT turn color nor does the caulk This worried me then that the water is going through and under the tiles How would this NOT cause mildew and mold down the line? i just looked on Menards site and thought it very odd they dont gave reviews by their products. How many of us read and rely on those? I talked to a seasoned tiler now retired and working at Menards who insisted that yes, it is sealed. What i see and what Im hearing seem to be two different things This morning, 11 hours after the last shower, there was still some darkening around the drain Standing water underneath? Who knows. This shower is just over a week in use and I dont see a good outcome. I highly recommend using something else. For the floor, especially. Note in the picture the darker grout near the drain. When wet, it all turns this dark grey. My big question - why does it seem to be absorbing water if its a sealed product? And what is the ’stale’ smell that comes and goes? Yes, I always leave the bathroom fan running after a shower And again, this is 11 hours after using the shower
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Check with the tile experts to be sure, but I believe that I have read that you do not want to be the first customer that your tiler has ever used epoxy grout with. Let him experiment elsewhere and know what he is doing before doing yours. That said, Marty 180, everything I have read in my research on redoing my bathroom leads me to believe that if you are going to have tile in a shower, epoxy grout is the only way to go! Personally, I am not going to have tile. I am not a good enough cleaner to deal with it. My lungs can't use most cleansers and my hands and wrists can't scrub. I give in. Solid surface, here I come!
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We used unsanded TEC power grout (Dove Gray) on our ceramic tiles with 1/16" grout lines and I am happy with how it has performed so far. I read some of the horror story threads as well, I think it comes down to knowing how to work with the product to avoid any issues. If your contractor is experienced with it, I would agree with him. I'm not sure about yellowing, however. We used garden-variety white Maipei about 7 years ago in a basement bath that I took not-great care of, and it's only now starting to look a little weary. I am thinking the yellowing can be pretty dynamic depending on a variety of factors - water quality, humidity, etc...
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My tiler wants to use TEC Power Grout but i'm worried about mildew and staining so I suggested Epoxy. Is that the way to go to avoid those issues? If so, what is the best Epoxy (i'm going to use white grout on white tile)? Is Ardex good?
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Lana Ho
2 years ago
i know this is an old post but hoping someone is still available to answer. My tiler recommends TEC Power Grout but I want zero mildew and staining/yellowing. Is Epoxy the way to go? If so, what brand would you recommend?

For glass tile, i assume I can't use Epoxy based on what i've read. Is TEC Power grout the best in that specific case or is there something better?
Kay Smith
last year
Tec power grout is amazing. So easy to clean. It is so strong it doesn’t get dirty.
greenhousedc
last year
My tile installer is charging 3 times the amount to do epoxy, but suggested I go with Tec power grout instead. Would love to hear from others with Tec power grout. How long have you had it installed? What color? And where? How is it holding up over time? Staining, chipping, or cracking?
Em Lehman
4 months ago
In the same boat. Would love to hear more feedback here. Contractor says we will be happier with Tec power grout but my heart was set on epoxy. I hate hate hate hate the staining.
Decorating Mama
4 months ago
If you want zero staining and zero mildew, epoxy grout is your only choice. Anyone who tells you otherwise is BS'ing you. In my last project I liked a bunch of glass tiles but chose something else so that I could use the epoxy grout. I will never ever use a non-epoxy grout again. Just my opinion. You can also look on amazon for reviews of the TEC grout.
kinthenorthwest
12 days ago
Ok reopening this I guess My contractor used Tec Power Grout saying that there is no sealing needed or required.

However in the installation of my shower he did not angle the bench correctly to allow for any water runoff. .In fact over half the the metal trim used is not totally level with the bench which traps even more water.

I squeeze the bench everyday. to try and protect the tile and bench. Might seem like a small amount but I do believe its around 1/4 of cup that I squeeze off every shower.

Looking into having the tile sealed to help a bit.

Any other suggestions.

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