Small cracks appearing in grout, new shower. Should I be concerned?
J Corn
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
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J Corn
5 years agoRelated Discussions
Help ! Grout Cracking on Shower Ceiling
Comments (5)The most common reason for cracked or flaking unsanded grout that I see is using unsanded grout in joints that are are too wide for unsanded grout. The second most common is the one Bill mentioned, mixing the grout too loosely. Too many guys do that, some get away with it, some don't. That can occur with either sanded or unsanded. Those two will normally result in cracks showing within a few days of installation, as they are drying cracks, caused by the grout shrinking as it gives up water in the curing/drying process. Cracks that show up later are usually structural, caused by the floor flexing, or as I've seen in a couple of situations, using mastic on floor tiles instead of thinset. Grout bags give a recommended amount of water to add per bag. But it's usually a partial bag mix, so that may not work well. I mix my grout a little thicker than most guys I've seen, but one thing I do is mix it a longer than most guys mix there grout, then I let it slake for the proper amount of time. The irony is that by mixing it longer, which happens to be for the recommended amount of time on the bag, you get a better mix. And the grout, when mixed to the proper consistency and mixed for the proper amount of time, spreads like buddah. There's no need to add extra water to loosen it up. Mongo...See MoreShould I be concerned? New shower wall tile...
Comments (22)thank you Mrs.S for your response .this is how it looks like after I washed it with water. however, I don't think the problem is about how it was done. because I drown one tile in water for 24 hours and I toke it off the water shade appears regardless. the shade it can take 6 to 7 hours to dry and appear normal. but if the water stayed on the tiles for like 3 or 4 hours. the shade can grow and take more than 24 to dry clean. my concern is what if the shade keeps drying slowly with time. and also can the epoxy grout fix it? Note this is Floor tiles....See MoreTile shower curb grout cracked, hollow inside. What are my options?
Comments (8)The problem is that they used grout at all, especially on a surface that's got some flex. You should always use sanded caulk when you've got a change in plane like that. Check the tile section of your local box store-- they'll have many colors and you'll probably find a close match. Check online for reviews of the color you're thinking of buying before you go to get a sense of the true color-- the labels aren't very informative. They should also have colored silicone in the same section which would work too and will probably last longer, especially if that curb gets a lot of water. Silicone is a little harder to work with though, and doesn't have the sand in it to replicate the look of grout....See MoreAdvice on best way to fix shower grout cracks?
Comments (5)@millworkman thank you for the feedback! To make sure I'm understanding correctly, would you recommend replacing grout with caulk between the shower floor tiles too? Or just at changes in plane? Also do you have any opinions as to if it's better to just pull up all tile and re-do to have a chance to see if there are issues below with the waterproofing? I'm kind of tempted to do that because I haven't been impressed with the workmanship in this house generally speaking -- we've had several minor issues despite being a new build....See MoreJ Corn
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