How to seal replacement grout in leaking shower?

[DavidCor]

Hi all, I have a shower leaking through the tiles and I plan to replace the grout which has cracked in many places. While I am an experienced DIYer, I am not confident to try using epoxy based grout which might give the best result. My query is then for waterproofing of the new grout which is preferable;

• normal grout with a grout additive, or
• normal grout followed by grout sealer after the grout cures?

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @DavidCor. It's brilliant to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about replacing grout.

Epoxy grouts typically provide the best strength, are stain and crack-resistant, and are easier to clean. Epoxy-based grouts can be a little more challenging to apply than cement-based grouts. Make sure to clean the excess as you go, and don't allow the epoxy to dry on the tile's surface. With our knowledgeable members' assistance, I trust you'll be able to use epoxy grout for this project successfully.

If you'd like to go with a cement-based grout, I recommend applying a grout sealer after the grout cures. Grout sealers help resist water penetration and seal out stains and mould growth. You'd want the sealer on top of the grout as a barrier to prevent this penetration. With the sealer on top, you can refresh it periodically as it wears away.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell