Floor grout won't stay down - what's the problem?
Question:I had my kitchen retiled and grout put inbetween the floor tiles, however it keeps flakes and comes out after a few weeks. I've now redone it 3 times and the same thing happens each time. Any idea why this is and what can be done to keep the grout in? The decorator said that it is because the house is old and shifts around a lot, but the old tiles had no problem and neither do the tiles in the bathroom.
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Ed
Answers:
Probably doesn't have the right underlayment and so as the floor bounces the grout cracks and chips out. Fix #1 requires pulling the whole floor out to replace the underlayment.Try cement board or durock instead. Fix #2 Is a little easier.. You can try latex additive or elasticizer in the grout so the grout gives a little.
chances are you put two much water in the mix or it just a cheap brand
could be several things...
Moisture, improper mix, try a different brand maybe and see what happens.
You could try using PVA adhesive before grouting.
Your underlayment was inadequately prepared and is not stiff enough. As the subfloor flexes and moves up and down, the hard grout breaks up and comes out. The fix is very hard, in that you are probably looking at removing the tile, adding an underlayment such as 1/2 inch plywood and laying tile.
Have you put a sealer down?
The decorator is blowing smoke up your
chimney. If the house is shifting, you will have cracked walls and broken tiles, as well as loose grout. I think the grout is too dry when applied. There is grout with latex additive that lets it be more elastic. That would be my next move.
The floor is moving and the grout cracks. Go to a tile shop and ask for an additive that you mix with the grout and it gives it flex i really can remember the name. Oh and if it's on a wooden floor try screwing down the boards to stop movement.
When you re-grout you must remove ALL of the old grout. Old weathered grout will reject new grout, preventing it from `sticking`. Grout for floors needs to be FLOOR grout as this is suitable to the wider tile spacing and can (the better stuff) contain a flexible additive that allows for some movement.
if you tile over a wooden the grout will come out after a wile because of slight movement under the tiles
grout mix too wet.
dreamsofamuse is right.
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