Tile Grout

[HoustonHorn]

Last summer I tiled my back porch. It still looks pretty good, but there are some places where the grout is coming out. Is there an effective way to patch up these specific areas, or do I have to regrout the entire patio?

 

[WinStreak]

i need alittle advice related to this too....for grout that is cracking.

 

[TX_HORNS]

How is it coming out? Crumbling away, cracking at the edges and coming out in strips, etc? Cracking is usually caused by movement in the subfloor or foundation. If the grout was mixed too wet or too dry, it will usually just sorta crumble to dust and disappear. Sometimes when you mix a large batch of grout, the mix will be a little too dry by the time you reach the bottom of the bucket. If it is crumbling, is it limited to one area that you grouted at the same time or is it spread around in different areas?

WinStreak, was yours laid on concrete or a wood subfloor? How long after installation did the cracks appear?

 

[WinStreak]

on concrete i believe....and in a few days i noticed small crackings

 

[TX_HORNS]

If they occurred that quickly then it would probably be movement in the tiles or an incorrect grout mix. Seeing as they're installed on concrete, I doubt the subfloor or tiles are moving. Plus, these types of cracks usually build up over time. So, my guess would be that the grout mix had too much water in it. If grout is mixed too wet, it can shrink as it dries due to the excess water evaporating out of it.

Personally, I'd watch it for a month or so and see if the cracks get worse or if more appear. If it pretty much stays as is, then it was the grout and it's probably cracked all it's going to. In that case, you could use a grout saw or dremel to remove grout in the spots that are cracked, then just put new grout in those areas.

If more cracks do appear or the ones there get larger, then it was probably movement that caused it. Deflection and movement cracks are more common when installed over wood subfloors since they can flex under the tile. Like I said, yours being installed over concrete really makes me doubt this is the case.

 

[hornface]

Just chip out, or grind out all the ****** grout, then regrout it. I guess for the best look, clear out the grout all the way to the corner. Make sure you regrout with the exact same stuff, or the color may be off.

 

[HoustonHorn]

Thanks for the info...

From the descriptions, it sounds like I had too much water in the mix. There are sections where it starts to crack and then little sections come out, which is now leading to bigger sections coming out.

Also, the porch is near my pool, and the tile gets a little slippery when its wet. Is there something I can put on the tile to keep it from getting slick?