Why Does Bathroom Grout Crack?

From Five Star Plumbing Services Inc

Why Does Bathroom Grout Crack?

Why does bathroom grout crack? Well, that’s a tricky question. The unfortunate part of being a homeowner is that there is always going to be something to maintain or improve. More often than not, the part of the home that starts to break down quickest is the bathroom. The last time you were in your bathroom, did you notice anything about the grout? Was it sealed, or were there some cracks starting to show? It’s important to look at the joints where the wall meets the tub, shower, or floor. These are the areas where grout cracks are most likely to occur. These grout cracks may be due to aging, but grout cracks can also be due to problems during tile installation or during grout mixing.

Grout Cracking Causes

When you see grout cracking only or primarily in joints, the primary cause is more often than not movement between two surfaces. Surfaces in your home are constantly moving and shifting for a myriad of reasons, including but not limited to: temperature changes, humidity, foundation settling,

It’s important to make sure that your tile installation is being done by a professional. If not, the grout could be improperly mixed. For example, if the grout is mixed with too much water, it could leave air pockets after the grout has dried. The grout will become weaker and weaker until it eventually begins to crack.

It’s also vital that enough adhesive is used when installing the tiles. If a tile pulls away from the wall after it dries, the grout is then forced to hold it in place, which will almost always lead to cracking.

Patching

However, perhaps you’ve had enough with the professionals and are looking for a weekend project. Here are the steps for patching up some isolated areas. First things first, you’re going to want to completely remove the old grout from the area. This shouldn’t be difficult if the grout is truly weak and brittle. But if the grout isn’t coming out, grab yourself a grout saw or a similar tool to remove the grout. Make sure you vacuum the crack to get dust and debris out of the way.

A good replacement for cracked grout is silicone caulk. Using caulk can be superior to grout because caulk is more flexible. This means that the caulk will most likely survive the shifting of your surfaces much longer than your grout did. Mildew-proof caulk is best for bathrooms.

When applying the silicone caulk, it’s vital to be as careful and thorough as possible. You don’t want to be in the same position you are in now too soon. Silicone caulk sets quickly and can be difficult to work with, so make sure that you are up to the task. If in doubt, get in touch with a professional.

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