A lot of negative things can happen when your bathroom grout starts to fall out. Some of the undesired results include a foul odor, mold growth, and sometimes, you may notice small worms coming below the tile. This is when you start becoming curious about why your bathroom grout is falling out.
Falling out of the bathroom grout can result from too much water, wear and tear, poor installation, or structural integrity problems. These factors make your grout come off after a short time, creating an unsightly bathroom. They can also pose a health hazard and injuries.
I will cover why your bathroom grout is falling out and what you can do to prevent it from happening. Read on!
Too Much Water
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It is a mistake that occurs when contractors use fast-drying grout or one that needs water to help it form. A thick consistency should be formed for such grout to have good adhesion. But some contractors want to use little grout on huge areas.
Instead of mixing grout powder with the proper water ratio, they add too much water, creating a runny consistency. When used, this grout starts cracking and coming off after some time.
You should scrape off such grout to prevent the problem from becoming bigger. Re-grouting with the right consistency is the best solution.
Unsealed Grout
Epoxy is a waterproof grout that does not require sealing. Although it is commonly used in bathrooms and other wet areas, other types of grout are used too. These, however, require sealing after the installation.
Water starts seeping beneath the tiles when left unsealed, making the grout lines dark and eventually falling out. If you are not using epoxy, consider cleaning your grout after installing and allow approximately 24 hours to dry. Apply a quality sealant to prevent cracking and falling out of your grout.
Harsh Cleaners
You should be careful with the cleaning solutions you use on your grout. Some are harsh and react to affect the adhesion of the grout. As a result, it gets loose and starts falling out. The surface beneath gets exposed, creating an unsightly sight.
Structural Failure
It relates to the movement of the floor beneath the tile. When this happens, grout becomes loose and starts cracking. The problem is rare, but we cannot overlook it. So, if all other factors are not the reason your grout is falling off, structural failure could be the problem.
Applying Fresh Grout over Old One
Some people may argue that applying fresh grout over the old one is fine. But the argument is quite misleading. Before putting a new layer of grout, I recommend scraping off the old one and cleaning the surface.
Old grout can affect the adhesion of the new one, causing it to fall off a few days after applying.
Insufficient Packing
Precision is of primary importance while applying grout. That is, you do not need to use too much of it or too little. Otherwise, it will lead to cracking and falling out. Besides having too much or too little grout, the pressure applied is another issue.
If the grout is not pressed deep enough, the adhesion will not be enough to support the tile joints. The result? Cracking and an ugly sight.
Wear and Tear
Of course, everything has its maximum time for serving, after which a replacement becomes vital. Grout, too, undergoes wear and tear. Quality grout can take long before the signs become visible, while poor quality one may wear prematurely.
Tenting
It is when the tile does not bond well with the grout. Instead, it comes off clean, leaving an imprint behind. This happens at the weakest point of the bond but does not necessarily indicate a poor-quality grout.
Typically, tenting happens when prepping of the surface is poorly done. An example is tiling the floor before the concrete cures or when dirty.
How to Prevent Bathroom Grout from Falling Out
You can prevent your bathroom grout from falling off and developing into significant problems by:
Using Quality Grout
It feels good to spend less than the quote your contractor gives you. While looking to save something from your project, let not buying poor-quality grout be your solution. Taking this route will lead to frequent repairs as it will keep coming off.
Honestly, investing in high-quality grout is 100% worth it. You will not have to worry about adhesion issues and how long it will serve you.
Use the Right Proportions
We have seen having a runny grout mixture is one of the problems why it cracks and falls out. Whether you DIY the project or have a contractor do it, consider checking the consistency. It does not mean you will be micromanaging your contractor, but being sure of the water ratio to grout powder is important.
Some contractors are inexperienced, and yours could be the first project they are handling. If you notice them having a weird-looking grout mixture, take action.
Check the Expiration
It is one of the most overlooked factors that lead to grout coming off. Often, expired grout has weak adhesion. When used for tiling, it starts cracking after a few days. Worst of all, the grout may fail to bind the tile and the concrete.
Always check for the expiration when buying to avoid frustration. If you have some remaining from your previous projects, consider checking its shelf life too.
Seal the Grout
A small gap will have water seeping beneath your bathroom tiles. Since epoxy is the only grout with waterproofing properties, consider using a high-quality sealant to seal other types of grout. Ensure the sealant is waterproof and that you have applied it sparingly.
Have Your Grout Properly Applied
If you doubt your DIY skills, consider getting a professional to help you with the project. It is even better to use a referral from people within your circle. Proper application means that enough grout is applied with the correct pressure.
It should seal all the tile joints, leaving no gaps. It also helps extend the grout’s service on the surface before it starts showing any cracks.
Use Mild Cleaners
Of course, you want your tiles to remain sparkling while keeping your bathroom hygienic. It does not imply using the harshest cleaning agents you come across. Consider using mild ones to prevent them from reacting with grout.
Keep off the harsh cleaning agents unless you are working on a stain. If there is an irritating stain on your tile, use the agent on the specific area and not the entire bathroom. It will help in keeping grout intact while maintaining your bathroom.
Have you been having occasional falls out of your bathroom grout and are looking for a sustainable solution? I have tried to explain some of the causes of the fallout and provide some practical solutions.
These will help you cut the recurring expenses you spend on the repairs.
Keep your bathroom clean and neat as you protect yourself and loved ones from toxicities that come from exposure to mold and mildew.
Why should you repeat the same repairs when you have a solution?
