While cleaning the bathroom is no one’s favourite job at home, there are lots of nasty things that can happen. Some of these nasty things include problems that can cost you thousands in-home repairs, especially if your grout starts to wear out. Rather than letting things get out of hand, make sure you have the tools for shower regrouting in Brisbane.
Here’s when you should really think about regrouting.
1. Your House is Settling
If your home is settling, moving, or flexing, it’s going to shake some things loose. It usually happens pretty slowly and you might not notice for some time. However, as the house moves, the pressure on tiles and your grout changes.
Space can be created by that settling. The substrate under the tiles can become damaged all because your house is settling.
Normal house settling damages tiles and grout all the time. It’s common to have to regrout every few years if your home is close to a region where there have been land shifts, drilling, or earthquakes.
2. Damage Requires Repair
If your bathroom doesn’t get a lot of use, it may not see much damage over time. However, normal wear and tear will take a toll on your grout.
Homes that have a lot of traffic or support an entire family are going to get a lot more action than a single person living in a house. While tiles can be wiped down and cleaned off for years, grout will eventually crack, become discoloured, or break off.
When this happens, it needs to be fixed immediately, the longer one section of grout is compromised, the more of a chance the rest will be. Over time, the walls could be damaged. Water and moisture damages and discolours walls and could lead you to have to do serious repairs.
If the water gets to the subfloor underneath tiles, you’re in rough shape. Dealing with a piece of wall is one thing but fixing a floor section is much more serious.
3. Regrout When You See Mold
Grout can become discoloured because of water stains. It absorbs dyes and minerals that it encounters. However, that doesn’t mean it needs to be replaced.
When you see mould, that’s when you need to take action. So long as the grout lines are protecting tiles and walls, there’s no need to do anything about it. However, it’s important to always look out for mould because the problems pile up fast and in a serious way.
Grout is generally porous, which is why it’s so important to keep it clean. Mould growing on its surface can end up deep inside the material. Mould not only ruins the grout, the wall underneath, and any other material around it, but it’s also bad for your family’s health.
4. Regrout After You Repair Your Wall
If you think you need to regrout, make sure to check the state of your wall. Tap your tiles and listen for a hollow knock. If this is new, it’s possible the wall behind your grout and tiles isn’t in good shape.
Loose or cracked tiles could mean that there’s a serious and more structural issue underneath cracked grout. Your grout is just a small factor among more serious issues.
Start by adding a mould or mildew killing solution to clear up any growth. Then give your installation time to dry before you add new grout. This will save you from any issues later on.
5. Poor Installation Requires New Grout
The kind of concrete that grout is made of is lightweight and porous, as mentioned before. It serves the purpose of holding tiles and place and keeps anything from growing underneath the tiles. However, unless it’s new grout made with polymers to prevent cracking, it’s subject to problems.
Older grout is made of a sandier type of cement. That kind of grout is prone to cracking. Older homes are like to have this older type of grout.
Some grout is premixed while others come in a powder that needs to be mixed. This type of grout can be mixed incorrectly by inexperienced DIY repair amateurs. When it’s undermixed, it’s more subject to problem than the average grout.
6. Beware the Wrong Cleaning Products
Cleaning grout is important. Sometimes grout needs to be scrubbed but do so carefully. Putting too much pressure on it can make it crack or wear down.
The microscopic holes in grout are prone to problems. Chips and cracks can begin to form if you use chemicals that disrupt the bond. Vinegar and bleach are two types that most homeowners use to clean their showers but they’re caustic to grout.
As the grout degrades and wears away, problems arise. Be selective when you’re choosing which chemicals to use.
7. Floods Hurt Grout
Believe it or not, water can be a problem for grout. While it’s used to taking a few splashes or some runoff from a shower, it’s not used to a flood or plumbing disaster.
If this happens, it can wear down the grout. The longer it stays wet the more likely moisture will seep in. Keep it from sitting submerged for a long period of time.