To whom it may interest.
Dear whom, I have discovered that my tiling job from December’05 has begun to crack. Used the water based wall tile adhesive and let it dry about 2 weeks while other priorities took over. It was then grouted (my first grout job so I think I was very meticulous about packing the join) with ‘AccuColor’ unsanded grout ,etc.. My wife/driver/foreman arrived w. grout sealer -” not for inside shower areas” that was sold us.
Needless to say I did not seal the grout lines in the shower area in the belief that grout has been in use longer than acrylic sealers.
Is the grout cracking from water soaking? This has become noticeable in the summer.
Wall is 4″ Styro SM, 6 mil v.b., Durock. It is an exterior wall that also has 2″ styro and Alu. siding.
Any advise before I begin raking the grout for round 2 would be appreciated.
Thomas
Replies
How wide are the jionts?
How much is cracking? (25%, 50%...)
heh J.
Used 1/8" hobby spacers and removed after setting. Cracking is 2-5% and aong lots of grout lines.
thanx
thom
" Used the water based wall tile adhesive "
That was your first mistake.
You should have used thinset.
But I don't think tthat is your primary problem, yet. Mastic will last for a few years.
Where are the cracks. If they are in the corners or where the tile meets the base it is do to normal movement and you should use caulk in those places instead of grout.
Used DOW kit. and bath silicone at wall joins and at tub and floor. 'Water based wall tile adhesive' was recomended over thinset by several 'reputable' distributors for ceramic tile. Used 1/8" spacers (over surface and removed when set), cracking is along grout lines in several places and often length and wreadth of tile. Is sealer that important (?) and tile mastic appears to be here to stay.
Used thinset on floor marble w. 1/8" spaces and no prob seen.
thanks
thom
I would say that the likely cause is that the grout was mixed with too much water. If you make it too loose it will shrink when it sets and cracking cannot be avoided. Grout should be not dry, but fairly stiff, so that you have to work it into the joints.
In any case, once it is cracked the only remedy is to take it out and start over.
Wayne, seems possible although..... possible. Mixed in several btches as it was my first time,seems cracking is limited to shower area.
Saw these threads before and tried to avoid the obvious pitfalls as seem from experience.
thanx
thom
are you saying you used mastic in a shower?
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
Scrub the grout lines clean, make a slurry of grout the consistency of drywall mud and spread it over your cracks, work it in with the wet sponge, seal it when its dry.
That's worked for me in the past. If that fails, then dig out the grout and redo.