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Ceramic Tile/ Grout question yourname 07-27-2006
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Posted by yourname on July 27, 2006, 4:19 pm
All,

I have a large shower with 12+" ceramic tile on the floor and walls. The
tile was set over schluter[sp?] waterproofing and bright orange dimply
stuff. Quite state of th art 2 years ago, available at HD now.

The tile is designed to slope to the drain and it does, but the tile guy
didn't set it quite the way I wanted, and it as such the first tile
around the edge is steeper thant the 6 or 9 in the middle. This causes a
little water to remain in the grout lines till it evaporates. Hasn't
been a problem, but I have noticed that in these areas [and not
elsewhere] there are some 1/8-3/16 inch diameter voids in the grout. the
grout also has an overall spally feel, like a little bit or sand comes
up when you rub it with your finger, where it doesn't elsewhere. I have
some of the grout in the garage[packrat] and can effect somekind of
repair, but am wondering if there is a more permanent solution.

The tile guy said the grout 'didn't need' to be sealed. The grout bag
said you could so I did. Is it possible I didn't seal this area well?

My plan is to dig out the small holes and fill with new grout. I jsut
would like to do this once.

Comments?

G

Posted by Dick on July 28, 2006, 12:32 am
If the grout is looking like its not even its not hard to scrape it out just
enough to add a new coat, or use a dremel tool to remove it. What I do is
scrape out what I need with a sharp tool and re grout the effected area if
you have the identicle grout as was used when the floor was grouted , if not
redo the whole floor area. I always use a good quality sealer regardless of
what the tile guys says. Some grout has sealer built in some doesn t. It
doesn t hurt to seal it either way it won t hurt.
I have grouted several bathrooms and always use a sealer where direct water
will go. I re seal the grout on a yearly basis.



> All,
>
> I have a large shower with 12+" ceramic tile on the floor and walls. The
> tile was set over schluter[sp?] waterproofing and bright orange dimply
> stuff. Quite state of th art 2 years ago, available at HD now.
>
> The tile is designed to slope to the drain and it does, but the tile guy
> didn't set it quite the way I wanted, and it as such the first tile
> around the edge is steeper thant the 6 or 9 in the middle. This causes a
> little water to remain in the grout lines till it evaporates. Hasn't
> been a problem, but I have noticed that in these areas [and not
> elsewhere] there are some 1/8-3/16 inch diameter voids in the grout. the
> grout also has an overall spally feel, like a little bit or sand comes
> up when you rub it with your finger, where it doesn't elsewhere. I have
> some of the grout in the garage[packrat] and can effect somekind of
> repair, but am wondering if there is a more permanent solution.
>
> The tile guy said the grout 'didn't need' to be sealed. The grout bag
> said you could so I did. Is it possible I didn't seal this area well?
>
> My plan is to dig out the small holes and fill with new grout. I jsut
> would like to do this once.
>
> Comments?
>
> G



Posted by krw on July 28, 2006, 12:45 am
> All,

<snip>

> The tile is designed to slope to the drain and it does, but the tile guy
> didn't set it quite the way I wanted, and it as such the first tile
> around the edge is steeper thant the 6 or 9 in the middle. This causes a
> little water to remain in the grout lines till it evaporates. Hasn't
> been a problem, but I have noticed that in these areas [and not
> elsewhere] there are some 1/8-3/16 inch diameter voids in the grout.

That sounds pretty bad. Those aren't voids, he cheated you out of
grout! ;-)

> the
> grout also has an overall spally feel, like a little bit or sand comes
> up when you rub it with your finger, where it doesn't elsewhere. I have
> some of the grout in the garage[packrat] and can effect somekind of
> repair, but am wondering if there is a more permanent solution.

How old is the grout? If it's been opened, I wouldn't use it if
it's over six months old. I don't think a piecework fix is going
to work anyway. You might have to cut out the grout and start
over.

> The tile guy said the grout 'didn't need' to be sealed. The grout bag
> said you could so I did. Is it possible I didn't seal this area well?

...and cause huge holes like this? Is the subfloor under the
shower stable? It sounds like you're getting flex in there that's
causing the grout to fail. I doubt it's the sealer (how can you do
that wrong ;), but I'm just a DIYer too.

> My plan is to dig out the small holes and fill with new grout. I jsut
> would like to do this once.

I'd cut out all the grout and replace it.

--
Keith

Posted by Italian on July 28, 2006, 2:51 am
Are these voids in the corners of where tiles meet? 1/8 - 3/16 is huge
how big are the joints?
These are refered to as bee holes and are probably the result of a few
things. If they are as I mentiond above he forgot to take the spacers
out. Or the joints were not completely full to begin with. Or he over
mixed the grout with to much water and weakened it ( the
> grout also has an overall spally feel, like a little bit or sand comes
> up when you rub it with your finger, ) In any case it must come out in those
areas and since you have the matching material simply reuse it. If its not good
finding the match is easy.
Sealing tile in my opinion serves one purpose to keep stains from
occuring. it has no impact on strenght properties nor is it necessary
or related to keeping things together at all. If tile is done right the
proper grout is used the 2 become one unit. Tile has been laid for
thousands of years without sealants in the grout and held up. If you
want to seal for stains yes by all means but it will not FIX poor
workmanship which is clearly what you recieved. A slope should be
undectable and if the slop has to be that great using smaller tiles is
the answer to hide it. good luck


yourname wrote:
> All,
>
> I have a large shower with 12+" ceramic tile on the floor and walls. The
> tile was set over schluter[sp?] waterproofing and bright orange dimply
> stuff. Quite state of th art 2 years ago, available at HD now.
>
> The tile is designed to slope to the drain and it does, but the tile guy
> didn't set it quite the way I wanted, and it as such the first tile
> around the edge is steeper thant the 6 or 9 in the middle. This causes a
> little water to remain in the grout lines till it evaporates. Hasn't
> been a problem, but I have noticed that in these areas [and not
> elsewhere] there are some 1/8-3/16 inch diameter voids in the grout. the
> grout also has an overall spally feel, like a little bit or sand comes
> up when you rub it with your finger, where it doesn't elsewhere. I have
> some of the grout in the garage[packrat] and can effect somekind of
> repair, but am wondering if there is a more permanent solution.
>
> The tile guy said the grout 'didn't need' to be sealed. The grout bag
> said you could so I did. Is it possible I didn't seal this area well?
>
> My plan is to dig out the small holes and fill with new grout. I jsut
> would like to do this once.
>
> Comments?
>
> G


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