Why tile grout cracks

Saint-Gobain Weber Hong-Kong

Cementitious tile grout is a mixture of cement, water, coloured pigments and sands that are used to fill joints between tiles. Common uses for tile grout in the household include filling tiles in the bathroom and kitchen. It is essential for protecting both tiles and the surfaces underneath, preventing moisture from seeping down to the underlayment. After some time, cracks and breaks in the grout can occur during the life of the tile.

The tiles expand with the summer high temperature and contract with the winter chill, all the slight movement may have broken the grout apart. Besides, the pressure from people walking on the tile, causes the grout to weaken and therefore, break apart.

If the grout wasn’t mixed properly before installation, such as having too much water, the evaporation can cause pinholing in the grout and a weak grout structure, the application won't be as strong as intended.

The Weber Tile Grout solutions including cementitious grouts and epoxy grouts are designed for grouting porous and vitreous tiles on interior or exterior walls and floors. Most of the grouts come in a range of colours that match or contrast with the tile, and shrinkage compensated which can prevent cracking.

When selecting the right grout for the tile application, consider the size of the joint and the application areas, do contact our sales representative for more information!