On May 21, 3:34�pm, "
wrote:
dadiOH wrote:
KOS wrote:
On May 20, 7:31 pm, "
wrote:
KOS wrote:
hi, i had a bathroom done 2 years ago, new floor with new tiles... I
had to get the tileman over to repair some grout that was coming
out... only 2 years later???!! why does this happen? I have older
bathrooms where the floor was done 20 years ago and grout is not
coming out.
If the problem was insufficient support below the tile, I would
expect the grout to crack here and there unless the floor moves like
a trampoline. I suspect it wasn't properly mixed - too much or too
little water. It may not have been properly packed into the joint
betw. tile. Was there adhesive up between the tile? Grout crumbling
and coming out? A better description, or photos, might help. What
repairs did the tileman make? Remove all and regrout? Do you have a
contract that specified materials used?

http://www.extremehowto.com/xh/artic...ticle_id=60288
I dont have any photos to provide.. More info... The bathroom was a
total demo job.. New floor... We used Travertine tile... The problem
area is on the bathroom floor, not shower stall.... This are the big
travertine tiles... He used Macpei unsanded grout, b/c of the small
joints... I noticed some areas, not all, that were like, "cracked"-
the grout that is... 2 years after the job.. He chopped it out and
layed new grout...Sound like poor installation? He says that since its
2 years old that can happen to grout- stupid answer??

Consider...

Grout is used to fill spaces between things. �It can be made from various
things including epoxy but is commonly colored cement.

Cement takes compressive loads OK but isn't all that strong for shear. �It
becomes stronger when sand is added to it (sanded grout, mortar) and even
stronger wih crushed rock (concrete).

Your tile man used unsanded grout; properly so, since (presumably) you
wanted the tile layed 'tight" and the resultant joints were too small for
sanded grout.

The amount of water used to mix grout varies a lot depending on who is
mixing.

Once set, grout will last without cracking for decades, even millennia �-
even if some joints aren't completely filled - as long as it isn't flexed.

"Flex" means *movement* and it doesn't have to be much. �The movement can be
via the supporting floor or it can be from tiles that aren't well secured to
the floor.

The grout is cracking because of movement. �Not because of grout that was
too wet/dry, not because of air in the grout, not because of some joints not
completely filled...movement.

You are probably right about movement, but sanded grout, AFAIK, isn't
used for fine grout lines (less than 1/8?).- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I'm amazed you still use the stuff. No-0nes used that in the UK since
Adam was a lad. I'm not surprised you have trouble.