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grout is cracking on new tiles

  • 22-03-2015 10:21pm
    #1
    Chickus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 359 ✭✭


    Hi,
    6 months ago we got new bathroom in and new tiles. We have noticed that the grout is cracking between tiles, mainly in corners and where it meets the ground tiles. there are also cracks in other places I am more worried about the ones in the shower area...
    Why is this happening and do we have right to call back bathroom fitter to sort it out?
    Thanks


Comments

  • #2
    Kevin McCloud
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,797 ✭✭✭Kevin McCloud


    Grout can crack where the wall tiles meet the floor tiles. A suitable flexible sealant should be used here. Grout cracking between the tiles is a different ball game. Either the tiler is a graduate of mens shed or the blame is to the person who built the wall.


  • #3
    Hank26
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 61 ✭✭Hank26


    I have the same problem with cracked tile grout on recently refurbished bathroom all around the edges of the room (not between two tiles).
    I called back the tiler and he put silicone over the cracks and around the edges where floor/wall & wall/ceiling meet in the bathroom.
    I questioned if this is correct and was assured its correct practice.
    Is this correct?


  • #4
    Bonzo Delaney
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,577 ✭✭✭Bonzo Delaney


    Hank26 wrote: »
    I have the same problem with cracked tile grout on recently refurbished bathroom all around the edges of the room (not between two tiles).
    I called back the tiler and he put silicone over the cracks and around the edges where floor/wall & wall/ceiling meet in the bathroom.
    I questioned if this is correct and was assured its correct practice.
    Is this correct?

    Perfectly normal to have movement between two surface planes When heating comes on ect. ect. Usually these are never grouted but siliconed in the first place


  • #5
    Hank26
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 61 ✭✭Hank26


    Thanks for the response.
    They were originally grouted and now I have silicone over the grout.
    So this is normal?


  • #6
    Bonzo Delaney
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,577 ✭✭✭Bonzo Delaney


    Hank26 wrote: »
    Thanks for the response.
    They were originally grouted and now I have silicone over the grout.
    So this is normal?

    It'll still bond/seal and expand and contract with movement.
    It's an aesthetic finish really to hide any hairline cracks the only place to really pay particular attention to is the corners in the shower and bath area. I'd prefer to rake out any loose grout in these areas then seal it


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  • #7
    e.r
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 424 ✭✭e.r


    Soft joint is always recommended at any internal angle


  • #8
    PK27
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 53 ✭✭PK27


    Chickus wrote: »
    Hi,
    6 months ago we got new bathroom in and new tiles. We have noticed that the grout is cracking between tiles, mainly in corners and where it meets the ground tiles. there are also cracks in other places I am more worried about the ones in the shower area...
    Why is this happening and do we have right to call back bathroom fitter to sort it out?
    Thanks

    Hi,
    I'm a bathroom fitter we've been at it twenty years so I know a thing or two about cracked grout! Technically it's not the fitters fault, the constant movement in floors and walls is just something that happens. However, we silicone ALL our corners on every bathroom we complete. Floor to ceiling on every wall, and all around between floors and walls. We do it because otherwise, like yours, it would crack guaranteed. It's also known as soft cornering and when done right it blends the tiles together perfectly. We carry a range of colors in silicone to match grout colours.
    So that's what you need. Silicone in corners. No amount of grout will stop the cracking. I'm surprised to hear it's happening in shower corner, they ABSOLUTELY should have siliconed that corner.


  • #9
    dodzy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,153 ✭✭✭✭dodzy


    PK27 wrote: »
    Hi,
    I'm a bathroom fitter we've been at it twenty years so I know a thing or two about cracked grout! Technically it's not the fitters fault, the constant movement in floors and walls is just something that happens. However, we silicone ALL our corners on every bathroom we complete. Floor to ceiling on every wall, and all around between floors and walls. We do it because otherwise, like yours, it would crack guaranteed. It's also known as soft cornering and when done right it blends the tiles together perfectly. We carry a range of colors in silicone to match grout colours.
    So that's what you need. Silicone in corners. No amount of grout will stop the cracking. I'm surprised to hear it's happening in shower corner, they ABSOLUTELY should have siliconed that corner.

    Whatever about cracks at angles, the floor should not. If the central floor is bad, it's likely that the sub flooring was not prepped properly. OP, do you recall the tiler putting anything down over you existing flooring before the tiles?


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