Hi, I’ve noticed a few cracks in my shower grout. Some are just hairline cracks in the grout at the base, while one section in the wall corner appears to be missing grout altogether. What’s the best way to fix this?
Hello @Josh86
Thanks for sharing your question about your tile grout. I suggest using a QEP Professional Grout Saw to remove all of the defective grout. Once you have cleaned the tile gaps, I suggest using Dunlop 800g Ready-To-Go Coloured Grout to fill in the tile gaps. To flatten the grout, I recommend the QEP 6" Handyman Squeegee. Please remember to clean the surface of the tile with a large sponge as you go.
Here is a handy step-by-step guide: How to grout wall tiles.
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
Eric
Thanks for the detailed advice! I appreciate the product recommendations and the step-by-step guidance. I’ll definitely give this a try and let you know how it goes! Just wondering—do I need to remove all of the grout on the floor, or can I just scrape away the cracked areas and refill?
You can remove just the damaged areas especially if it appears that most of the grout is still in good condition. But if it is dusty and it looks like it is starting to deteriorate, then it would be best to remove those sections as well.
If you need further assistance, please let me know.
I’ve removed the old grout, but in some spots it came out deeper than I expected, probably because it was affected by moisture. Is it still okay to apply new grout, or does this suggest there’s another underlying issue?
Hi all,
I’ve been removing the old grout from my shower floor to re-grout it. Some of the old grout was pretty soft and crumbly, so it came out really easily, but now I’m worried I’ve gone too deep in places, up to 20mm (you can see in the photos).
Do you think this depth is an issue? Any suggestions on how I should proceed before regrouting?
Thanks!
Hi @Josh86,
It is hard to say with 100% certainty, but it doesn't look like something I'd be too concerned about. You would notice the difference when going through softened grout and then hitting a solid fibre cement sheet or concrete.
When you say deeper than you thought, how deep are you talking?
If you grab a ruler and stick it in the deepest spot, how deep is it?
Is there anywhere you can see the edge of a tile to gauge how thick they are?
If the ruler goes deeper than the thickness of the tile, plus about 10mm for tile adhesive, then there might be cause for concern; however, looking through that tile gap, I see what looks like tile adhesive rather than a waterproofing membrane, which makes me think you haven't gone too deep.
Allow me to tag our experienced members @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their thoughts.
Jacob
About 25mm in this deepest spot. I can still scrape out a wet sandy substance when I stick the steel ruler in that spot.
Is it a first floor bathroom and do you have a concrete slab?
It could be the screed bed beneath your tiles.
If this is the case, the waterproofing is more often than not below the screed bed, so it still wouldn't be much to worry about.
I'll wait for your answer.
Hi Jacob,
Thanks for your message.
Yes, it’s on the first floor and the bathroom is on a concrete slab.
If it’s the screed bed beneath the tiles, does that change anything? Keen to hear your thoughts.
Cheers,
Josh
Afternoon @Josh86
Mmm the question has gone past the level of my knowledge 😕 Tho I am interested as well about the depth and that dampness. I do think you would know if you had hit the waterproofing/concrete base as you would feel it with the scraper. I do know there are waterproof liquids you can cover the area with (soaks in and forms a barrier) but would wait for @JacobZ or @EricL suggestions.
It does sound like you are in the level of screed more then teh tile glue.
Dave
If it's on the first floor on a concrete slab, there's a pretty good chance it is screed. Screed is basically a bed of sand and cement that is used to create a fall towards the drain before laying tiles over the top. Screed is not waterproof, nor is it intended to be. There will be a Puddle Flange installed underneath the screed that will allow any water that gets into the screed bed to escape.
Waterproofing is usually done beneath the screed, so unless you keep going for another 40-50mm, you won't hit the waterproofing.
I wouldn't worry too much. I'd just refill your grout lines as you had originally planned.
Let me know if you have any further questions.
Hey Jacob,
Thanks for explaining that. Makes sense now. I’ll just re-grout it like I planned. Appreciate the help!
Please keep us updated with your progress, we look forward to seeing your tiled floor regrouted.
If you have manage to go down in spots by 25mm @Josh86 it sounds like you have potentially broken through the waterproofing membrane as well which sits between the tile underlay/walk in shower mortar bed and the tile adhesive. And since it's a wet substance, this tells me that water has been making its way either through silicone or grout gaps.
Personally, I would hand the job over to a tile and re-grouting specialist. They will apply and epoxy grout then a clear waterproof coating over the showcase and up 1-2 tile rows. A certified service will over a decent warranty of workmanship and your insurance will cover any claim issues.
Nailbag
Hi @Nailbag
Thanks for your advice so far.
Based on what I’ve found under the old grout (wet, crumbly sand in places 20–25 mm deep), do you think I need to start planning for a full shower renovation?
Or is there any chance it can be repaired properly without doing the whole base and membrane?
Keen to hear your thoughts.
Hi @Josh86
Definitely don't need to start that level of repair at this stage. But I would get a couple of quotes from reputable regrouting and sealers.Last year I discovered an almost same scenario as you with our ensuite shower being a walk-in. The wall on the other side was our bedhead and just by chance I looked under and noticed wet carpet and lower sections of the wall wet. This equals failed waterproofing on a 3 year old shower that was a fast track reno home we bought after COVID. So I started to remove a top layer of grout and edge silicone only to find most sections not even full depth, hollow and lots of water I could blow out with my workshop blower. I ended up removing it all, letting it dry out for about 6 weeks and then got a few quotes on repair. My 900mm x 1600mm shower and then up to tile rows on two sides ended up only costing about $600. I did have quotes over $1K. But I went with a local guy who I got a good gut feel for and great reviews.Nailbag
