{"id":3768,"date":"2020-10-21T09:54:13","date_gmt":"2020-10-21T09:54:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tilebar.com\/learn\/?p=3768"},"modified":"2024-01-25T09:03:17","modified_gmt":"2024-01-25T09:03:17","slug":"why-tile-grout-cracks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wpstage.tilebar.com\/learn\/why-tile-grout-cracks\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Tile Grout Cracks"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

While it may have been a utilitarian need for tile installation in the past, now grout is an additional design element that can heighten the appearance of your space. Yet, as many homeowners know, in time, the beautiful grout they placed becomes dirty and in many cases, cracks. To help navigate why cracking occurs and how to repair them, we\u2019ve put together this quick guide. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Does Grout Crack?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If your grout is a few years old, it\u2019s normal that in time, it will crack. This results from a few key causes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exposure To The Elements.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A common problem for wet areas in the home, like the bathroom or shower, grout tends to crack here as a build-up of water slowly eats away at the material.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

General Wear and Tear From Traffic. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your floor tile grout is looking a bit rough, worry not, this is a common area that grout cracking occurs. Over time, the pressure from people walking on the tile, causes the grout to weaken and therefore, break apart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Is My New Grout Cracking? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If time isn\u2019t the issue, allow us to explore the other reasons that may be causing cracked tile grout that was recently placed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Issues With Thinset During Install. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you or your installer didn\u2019t use enough thinset when you installed your tile, then there\u2019s a chance there wasn\u2019t enough of an adhesive for the grout to cling to. As a result, gaps and cracks will occur. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Water Interference During Drying Occurred. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The other problem that could be liable for cracking grout after a new installation is introducing water to the grout before it fully dries and sets. This would weaken it, causing it to degrade fast. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How To Fix Cracked Grout on Tile Floor or Wall?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Contrary to thought, tile grout repair is one of the less costly elements of tile care. Whether you have tile grout<\/a> cracking on the floor or wall, there\u2019s an easy solution; caulking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Caulk is a material that is used to seal or fill gaps. The act of caulking, is simply taking the caulk and applying it to the grout lines. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s a quick how-to repair cracked grout with caulking: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n