A common misconception about tile and grout is that grout will somehow assist in stabilizing a tile installation. It does not.
Some believe that Without grout the possibility of dirt, grime and all sorts of unruly, unwanted things may collect in the spaces between tiles. This may lead to not only unhealthy conditions, but also the chance of damaging your tile while trying to remove those things. Does epoxy grout help stabilize tile?
So although epoxy grout does add some stabilizing features to your tile installation it should not be used in that capacity. Grout is an integral part of a correct tile installation but not in a structural way. As you plan your installation keep that in mind and treat your grout simply as an aesthetic part of your overall project.
Does grout hold water?
, and ummm, no. Tile and stone (as well as grout) will actually retain water. How much water it retains is directly related to the density of the tile.
Can shower water leak through Grout?
Leakages in the shower are most often the result of grout failure. Leaky tiles can be found anywhere where there is water. The shower water leak should be repaired quickly otherwise, the buildup of stagnant water will lead to mold and damp under the tiles.
Although grout is porous not to the point that you will actually have water leak through solid grout especially since on a wall it only has short term exposure until the water runs down. However if it makes you more comfortable to have the grout be completely non absorbent we can seal it.
Can grout go bad?
If you had store the grout in a conditioned room it would have been bad two and a half years ago. Grout has a shelf life of up to 1 year after it’s made if unopened AND stored in a proper place. Once opened it’ll go bad in a short while.
Another inquiry we ran across in our research was “How do you fix loose grout on a bathroom floor?”.
Drill into the grout beside your loose tile. You need it to be deep enough to allow for the adhesive to get under the loose tile. Place the spout of the adhesive, or epoxy, into the hole you drilled and slowly squeeze some into the hole.
A frequent inquiry we ran across in our research was “How do you know when Grout is bad?”.
If your grout powder has clumps or small, hard lumps in it, the powder has likely been exposed to water or humidity and should not be used. Lumpy grout is either bad already or well on its way.
Why is water coming up through my tile grout joints?
ANSWER – Water coming up through your tile grout joints is an indication that you have a high water table on your property or that water is being directed towards your house, and you don’t have a vapor retarder under the concrete slab to prevent water from migrating through the concrete.
Vinegar can indeed ruin grout. Unfortunately, vinegar penetrates unsealed grout by seeping into the air spaces within the material. The grout will eventually wear off. So you should take not to apply vinegar for cleaning purposes if you have unsealed grout in the area. How long do you leave vinegar on grout?
Grout gets so dirty because grout is porous and absorbs spills and dirt, so it stains easily. Additionally, because grout is positioned lower than the tile, dirt and grime are trapped easily. As the dirt builds up, they work into the pores of the grout, making it progressively dirtier.
How do you make Grout waterproof?
Sealers will make the grout water resistant. Grout joints can be filled with sealant (caulking) in lieu of cementitious grout. That could make the grout joint waterproof in theory, but that would not make the tile assembly entirely waterproof .
Does thinset go bad?
The sand in it can go bad after a while. Especially if you open the package and don’t seal it up again properly. Some Ungeziefer can get in there. Same way with flour. You can get some meal worms in there. Normal thinsets can go bad from drawing moisture. If sealed in the plastic bags like Mapei’s they should last quite a while.