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We often give less thought to grout than to tile, but both are crucial for structural stability and overall appearance. Learn when grout needs to be replaced and discover a few tips for prolonging its lifespan.
Scroll to the bottom of this blog post for a special savings code!
What Is Grout?
Grout is the substance between tiles, helping to hold them in place and providing aesthetic benefits as well. It’s typically made from a mixture of cement, aggregate, and other ingredients, such as water or sand.
Grout is dense and water-resistant, making it the perfect material to fill gaps between tiles. It can be purchased premixed or in powder form (to be mixed with other elements before application). Cement-based grout and epoxy grout are two of the most common types.
Signs That Grout Should Be Replaced
It’s time to replace your grout if it:
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Is cracking
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Is crumbling
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Is shrinking
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Is flaking
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Is separating from the tile
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Has stains or discoloration that don’t go away with regular cleaning
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Has grown black mold
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Has water damage
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Has gaps where water can enter
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Is more than 15 years old
If a regrouting project is in your future, check out our guide.
Is Cleaning Your Grout Enough?
There are a few situations in which giving your grout a good scrub may be enough to keep it going. If your grout is in good structural shape and returns to its original color after deep cleaning, it likely doesn’t need to be replaced yet.
How do you know if your grout is structurally sound? It should be tightly bonded to the tiles, rather than cracking, crumbling, appearing loose, or being gone altogether. The seams between tiles should be entirely filled with grout (no shrinkage). Finally, the grout should not be deeply pitted. Instead, it should be nearly flush with the tile’s surface.
A paste of bleach and baking soda can usually restore lightly discolored grout. Another option is to mix concentrated dish soap with warm water, scrubbing the solution into the grout with a stiff nylon bristle brush. Leave the cleaning solution on the grout for about 20 minutes before scrubbing once more and rinsing with warm water.
If neither of these methods gets your grout looking good as new, it may be best to replace it.
Factors Impacting Grout’s Longevity
The environment in which your tile is installed often has a significant impact on its overall longevity. For example, grout in a shower or around a bathtub typically won’t have as long a lifespan as grout in an area with less moisture.
Maintenance can also affect grout’s longevity. Regularly cleaning and maintaining grout can prolong its lifespan. Sealing (and resealing as needed) can make a notable difference as well. The products used to clean and maintain grout are also important. In general, it’s best to choose products that are specifically formulated for the type of grout you have.
How To Prolong Your Grout’s Lifespan
There are three main ways to make your grout last longer:
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Opt for a high-quality grout and choose the right type of grout for the area in which it will be installed (learn more about choosing the right grout in this article)
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Seal the grout during the installation process
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Clean and reseal the grout once or twice per year
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Savings Code
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Please note that this code does not apply to full-size tiles and can only be used with samples.