Before understanding why grout cracks and how long it should last before cracking, you need to know what grout is. Almost every home has tiles installed in their bathrooms, if not anywhere else. So, where there are tiles, there’s grout!
Grout is a substance, paste or mortar that adheres to the bisque or edge of a tile, helping fill the gap and crevices between tiles. Not only does grout give your tile installation a more finished look, but it also helps keep water, moisture, and debris from depositing between the tiles. One important thing to know is that old grout needs to be removed in order to prepare the surface for the new grout to be applied.
How Long Should Grout Last Before Cracking?
Non-sanded grout coupled with successful application will help your grout last at least 15 to 20 years. However, this largely depends on how much attention you pay to its maintenance. If you don’t care for your grout, then the product will naturally start to break down sooner.
What Causes Grout to Crack?
Here are a few factors that can cause your grout to crack.
Inferior Quality
The biggest problem when it comes to grout is its – quality. Most grout is typically cement-based that is available in un-sanded and sanded types. While this grout is mostly cheaper, it is highly porous in nature. Without proper sealing, moisture can easily seep in your grout and under your tiles.
Moreover, cement-based grout can often lose its seal over time even if it’s sealed properly, causing the grout to crack. Some of the factors that contribute to the deterioration of the sealant include heavy foot traffic, harsh cleaners, and time itself.
Moisture
Another factor that plays a great role in the cracking of your grout is none other than – moisture. Grout used in specific areas particularly the kitchen or bathroom is more prone to moisture and cracking. Moreover, your grout has a bigger risk of cracking in areas where there are more frequent spills. For instance, grout in your bathroom will have to be sealed from time to time as it will suffer damage at the hands of moisture caused by water and steam. Also, this can result in some serious health issues for you and your family.
Wrapping Up
Well, just because your grout starts cracking, it isn’t the end of the world. You don’t have to bear any heavy expenses of renovations and remodeling; a simple grout restoration procedure, grout color sealing, or re-resealing will do the trick! While grout restoration entails completely wiping off the existing grout and replaced it with new grout, the resealing procedure comprises of the application of a sealant to prevent damage.
However, one thing to note is that both these procedures are only effective if you opt for a reliable and trustworthy company to do the job.
If you’re looking for someone for grout color sealing or grout restoration, contact us for a FREE Estimate!