Why Grout Start to Chipped Off or Show Cracks

Cracked grout can be caused by a number of different things. One of the most common reasons that grout cracks is because of settling in the foundation. When tile is installed on a concrete sub floor, there is always a chance that the foundation could settle a bit. The earth below your house could move and if it does, this can cause the grout to crack. Grout is more flexible than the tile and therefore has a higher likelihood of cracking in this situation.

Another common reason that grout cracks is because the floor below the tile is not structurally sound. For example, if you install tile directly onto a wood sub floor, this will not be strong enough to protect the tile and grout. Using concrete board is essential in this situation and it will help prevent grout cracking in the future. When you walk on tile that does not have concrete or concrete board below it, there is a good chance that the grout or tile will crack.

One way to tell if the sub floor is the problem, you could knock on the floor where the grout is fine, then knock on the floor where the grout is cracked. If hear a different sound, that means the tile is loose. Re-grouting a loose tile is NOT a fix but just a band-aid over a problem. The only fix is to rip up the tile, see why it came loose, address the sub-floor and install a new piece of tile.

Causes of Cracked Grout

There are several possible reasons why your grout may be cracking. Some of the reasons may have to do with how the grout was prepared and/or the tiles laid:

• When dry grout is mixed with water, microscopic holes are produced as the water evaporates and the grout hardens. When mixed properly, this is not a problem, but if the mixture is too thin, the holes become too large and cracking can occur.
• Thin set is a glue that is applied over mortar to make tiles adhere more firmly to the mortar. If it is applied too thin, air pockets can form between the tiles and the mortar. These can cause the grout to crack.
• If water is added to grout after the grout has begun to set, it weakens the mixture, causing the grout to crack and crumble.
• If grout is not applied properly, it can easily crack after it has dried. It must be applied deeply into the cracks between the tiles. There should be no air pockets between the grout and the wall or the sides of the tiles.

The best way to prevent cracked grout is to have a professional do your tiling and grouting for you. It may cost more initially, but if your grout withstands the test of time, it will prove to be a good investment. Find a tiler near you and get their advice. They can do your grouting or re grouting for you and guarantee that the job is "done once and done right."   For more useful information on this, check out our main page here:   tile and grout cleaning west auckland, tile and grout cleaning auckland city