Grout is one of the biggest concerns of homeowners undergoing a bathroom renovation. Will white grout discolor? Can anything help keep the grout clean? How does one repair grout if it cracks? What color grout should be used? Many homeowners will be concerned that they are installing tile that will just make the maintenance of the bathroom more difficult with all the grout involved.
Today’s grout has come a long way from previous products, however, making many of these concerns a thing of the past.
Choosing the Grout
The first step to any proper grout installation, is choosing the right type of grout for the job. A grout joint that is 1/8” or larger, such as those used with tumbled stones, or mosaics, as well as any grout used with glass tiles, should have sanded grout applied. Grout joints less than 1/8” or tiles that are butted together, should use unsanded.
For the color of the grout, there are two schools of thought. That the grout can be used to help accent the tiles, or the grout should fade completely away, blending into the tiles. Choose a contrasting color, such as white on a cobalt tile, if trying to accent the design. In the case where the grout should fade away, try choosing a grout color that is slightly lighter in color than the surrounding tile. If using plastic grout chips to choose a color, keep in mind that the true grout color will be slightly lighter than the plastic once dry.
Epoxy grouts, and pre-sealed grouts, such as Tec’s XT, are excellent products at repelling stains, mold and mildew. For shower grout, and grout applied in wet areas, a pre-sealed or epoxy grout may be the best choice.
Sealing the Grout
Grout can always be sealed at the same time as the tiles around it, in the case of natural stone. Ceramic tiles, or glass tiles, however, will need to have the grout sealed separately afterward. Grout additives, such as Tec’s Grout Boost, can be added to grout during the mixing process, to help increase its strength and stain resistance.
Existing grout can be sealed with a silicon based, impregnating sealer. Simply pour the sealer into a shallow dish, and apply with a foam paint brush. Allow to sit, and then wipe away the excess. Be sure to use fans, or open windows during this process, as the smell of sealers can be strong.
Cleaning the Grout
While there are grout cleaners on the market, many of them may not be effective on old, or discolored grout. Try using a mixture of bleach and water and letting it sit on the grout to lighten stains. Otherwise, a tile poultice may be applied that can lift and lighten some stains. For truly stained or discolored grout, products such as This Old Grout can be applied, to color the grout.
For everyday cleaning of grout, any bathroom or tile cleaner, should be sufficient.
Grout Repair
If grout has become cracked, and is beginning to separate from the tiles, it may be necessary to replace it. Use a utility knife, or the pointed end of a church key to dig up the old grout. Try taking a small piece of the old grout along to a tile store for help in matching the original color.
Clean surrounding grout well, before applying new grout to the cracked areas. It may be necessary to use a grout colorant product on the entire area, once the new grout is dry, to blend the two areas together, in the case of stained or dirty grout.
Most new grouts are much better at resisting mold, mildew and stains that previous grouts. It is always beneficial, however to add some stain resistor to the grout to help ensure its long life.
For floors prone to shifting, or for very small repair jobs, consider using a latex additive caulk, in a matching color to the rest of the grout. Caulk is available in small tubes, for repairs that a 10lb bag of grout would be excessive for, and can flex and bend better than grout, making it ideal for areas prone to movement. Caulk is available in sanded and unsanded varieties, in many of the same colors as grout.
Take steps to choose the right grout, seal and clean it well, and enjoy the beauty of the tile job for years to come.
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