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.