Bathroom grout goes through a lot of wear-and-tear in our everyday lives. As a result, grout can face a lot of problems that can hurt its structure (and the look of your bathroom). Here are 3 common grout problems and how you can solve them.
Grout cracks
Common reasons for grout cracking
Old and newly installed grout can crack due to a number of reasons. These can include:
- Age
- High-traffic
- Temperature changes
- Poor installation
- Wrong materials
- Not enough room
Any one or combination of the above could be the reason why your grout is cracking. The reality is that you need to have a flooring professional come out and inspect the grout problem to determine the cause.
How to fix grout cracks
Step 1: Clean out cracked grout
Use 1:1 water and vinegar to clean out the tile grout.
Step 2: Remove the loose grout
This depends on whether it was cementitious grout or epoxy grout that was used. In a bathroom, it typically is epoxy grout due it its impermeability. For most grouts, a grout saw to remove the loose grout, then clean up any small debris with a handheld vacuum cleaner or small vacuum attachment.
Step 3: Dampen your tiles
Dampen your tiles with water. Make sure to use a paper towel or sponge to clean up any excess moisture.
Step 4: Apply new grout
Hold your grout float at an angle to spread out your new grout. Make sure to use enough to fill in the joints. That way you prevent air pockets from forming.
Step 5: Clear away excess grout
After about 15 to 30 minutes, use a damp sponge to wipe any excess grout. Make sure you use a diagonal motion so that you don’t disturb the grout in the joints.
Step 6: Let grout sit
Let your grout sit per instructions. Use a dry paper towel to wipe up any haze on your tiles.
Step 7: Clean residue
Use tile cleaner to clear up any remaining haze.
Step 8: Seal your grout
Apply a sealant once your grout is thoroughly dried.
Uneven colors
For a seamless look, grout should have a uniform look. However, it’s not uncommon for grout to change colors in certain areas. This can be due to a number of reasons, including:
Common reasons for uneven grout colors
- Too much water in cementitious grout mixture
- Improper cleaning of grout and grout haze off tile
- Leaving plastic spacers in joints
- Using unclean water
- Defective grout
- Dirty tools staining grout
Uneven grout coloring can be annoying. But it’s a common enough problem that there’s an easy enough fix to ensure your grout is uniform and pleasing to the eye.
How to fix uneven grout coloring
You can return grout to its original coloration or change it to a different color using “grout stain.” Grout stains are epoxy-based products that are designed to penetrate into the grout and seal the surface with a new, permanent color. As a result, you won’t need to reseal the grout once the color takes.
Step 1: Clean the grout
You want to get rid of any dirt, oils, grease, or sealers with a professional Tile & Grout Cleaner. These can be purchased at most Home Centers or from a local Floor Covering Dealer, such as Flohr.
Step 2: Prepare the area
Use painters tape or a plastic sheeting to avoid accidental staining of your tile. Tiles with well-delineated edges are easier to work with than those with beveled or textured edges. Grout stain can be removed easily, this just saves you time and effort.
Step 3: Test your stain
Test your stain color on a small area so you know you’ve got the desired shade.
Step 4: Apply the stain
Make sure to wear gloves and eye protection when applying grout stain. You can use a grout stain applier, a small paintbrush or a narrow paintbrush to apply the stain to grout lines. Use medium pressure to ensure the stain penetrates correctly.
Step 5: Wipe off excess
The stain can take a few minutes to an hour to work correctly. Once it’s applied, wipe off the excess with a damp, clean cloth or paper towel.
Step 6: Clean up
Remove painter’s tape or plastic sheeting and wipe off any excess or residue on tiles to complete the process.
Stains
Grout is a porous substance (it absorbs moisture really well), which means it’s susceptible to discoloration and especially staining (not the product, the process). When not properly sealed, you can get stains in your grout, causing an unpleasant aesthetic.
Stains can be caused by leftover, dirty mop water, heavy foot traffic, body oils, shampoos and various other causes.
How to fix grout staining—remove dirt and grime
This is the easiest way to fix grout staining. Using water and a stiff, nylon brush (plus some elbow grease), you can remove a great deal of the grime that’s in your grout.
You can also use a water-vinegar mixture (with a ratio of 1:1). Apply to the affected area, let it sit for 15 minutes and wipe it away with a water-baking soda mixture to get rid of the dirt.
And finally, if you don’t trust your mixture abilities, there are commercial grout cleaners you can buy. Remember to test these on a small area before you apply all over your grout to ensure they really work.
Tackle grout problems with Flohr
Don’t let grout get you down. While grout problems are common, they can be handled relatively easily. If you’re looking for professional advice or help with your grout, or any flooring problem, give us a call. Our team has over 20 years of experience with supply and installation of flooring and flooring products. We’re ready to get your floor back to top quality.
