Bathrooms are high-traffic areas—we visit them every day. With that high traffic, your floors are bound to take on more wear-and-tear than other parts of your home. That includes the grout, that little space between tiles to support the structure. With that traffic comes potential structural problems that should be addressed. If you find holes in your grout, here’s what you can do to address them.
Why are there holes in my floor grout?
Holes in flooring grout may be caused by a couple of things. Tiny pinholes or cracks may appear due to your house shifting down a teeny bit deeper into the soil, causing minute changes in the structure.
Another reason may be because there was too much water in the grout mix. When that water evaporated, it left behind big holes in the grout that you can see.
And finally, holes may appear because the grout wasn’t sealed properly (or at all). This lets moisture get into the grout, weakening its structure.
What to do when your flooring grout has holes
You can fix pinholes in your grout fairly easily. Here’s what you’ll need to do.
- Dampen the pinhole area with water. Let the water sit for five minutes to saturate.
- While you wait for 5 minutes, start your grout mixture to fill the holes. Follow instructions as written.
- With the mixture ready, use your finger to apply grout mixture to the pinhole area. Clean area with a ready sponge.
- Allow a day for the mixture to cure.
This method only works for small pinholes in the grout. For larger holes, you’ll need bigger solutions.
How to fix larger grout holes
For larger holes, you’ll have to get rid of the existing grout and replace it. Here’s a quick overview:
Step 01: Clean broken grout
Use a 1-to-1 vinegar and water mixture for the tile and grout cleaning.
Step 02: Removed the damaged grout
Dig out the old grout with a sharp object. Things like an angled blade or a grout saw can be used. Be careful not to chip the tile and remove any debris you find.
Step 03: Dampen your tile
Dampen your tiles and absorb the moisture with a paper towel.
Step 04: Apply new grout
Use a grout float (a foam rubber padded tool that looks like a trowel) to add grout to the intended area. Press the float down at a 45-degree angle to spread the grout mixture evenly. Make sure you get good coverage over the area in all directions.
Step 05: Remove excess grout
After 15-30 minutes, clear away any excess grout with a damp grout sponge. Make sure to rinse the sponge around periodically.
Step 06: Allow grout to set
Let the new grout set according to the instructions (this will typically be about 24-72 hours after setting).
Step 07: Clean up
Use a tile cleaner to get up any leftover or excess residue that’s hanging around.
Step 08: Seal the grout
With it laid, make sure you use a sealant to protect your new grout. Remember: high-traffic areas should be sealed every six months to a year for optimal maintenance.
Ensure your bathroom floors are protected
While you can tackle grout maintenance yourself, we recommend working with professionals to ensure top-tier quality. If you’re looking to re-grout your bathroom or looking to install new flooring, our Flohr team has the right experience to ensure high quality work and protection. Give us a call today to schedule your FREE consultation and estimate on your next project.
