Cracks in Grout Lines

As a remodeling contractor, I pay attention to every detail of every building or home I enter. It’s just one of those thing I find myself doing over and over. One thing that has recently caught my eye is the cracking that occurs in grout lines. Most of the time, cracks in grout lines occur from rapid changes in temperature. Although this is not the only cause for the problem, it is the most common. Once a grout line has cracked it becomes very noticeable and unsightly. To fix the cracked grout line you must remove the existing grout and replace with new. Chances are your new grout will not match up with your old grout creating even more of a problem. As a contractor, this frustrates me a great deal. Anytime we are working on bathroom remodeling or kitchen remodeling projects where tile is being installed, we spend the extra money on grout additives. A grout admixture can be used in place of water when mixing your grout. This flexible admixture will reduce the risk of having your grout lines crack. If you plan to have tile installed in your home, make sure your contractor uses a flexible grout admixture instead of water.