Figure out the cause of your crumbling grout
Cracked grout often results from poor installation, including insufficient tile adhesive, improperly mixed grout, or exposing your grout to water before it fully dries.
Typical costs range from $100 to $700 for professional grout repair, while regrouting a shower ranges from $600 to $2,500 for more extensive cracking.
Cement-based grout cracks when you skip sealing or apply improper sealing, allowing moisture absorption that weakens the grout and leads to staining and water damage.
Hiring a local grout repair professional provides reliable support for identifying the root cause of your cracked grout and completing repairs that prevent future problems.
Cracked grout doesn’t just look bad; if ignored, damaged grout can actually lead to bigger problems that are harder (and more expensive) to repair. So, why does grout crack in the first place? Here are some of the most common causes, as well as tips for preventing and fixing cracked grout.
In many cases, cracked grout is the result of incorrect grout or tile installation. This can occur for a number of reasons, including:
Lack of adhesive: If you or your installer didn’t apply enough tile adhesive when laying a tile wall or floor, the tiles can start to pull away from the underlying surface. This creates air gaps beneath the tiles and puts more stress on the grout, which can eventually crack or crumble.
Improperly mixed grout: Similarly, if you used too much water or additives when mixing the grout, air pockets can form in the grout. Over time, this can weaken and break the grout. This is a common culprit in cases where brand new grout is cracking.
Early exposure to water: Cracks can also develop if water gets onto the grout before it’s fully dry. Grout drying times vary by product, but generally speaking, you should wait 24 to 72 hours before letting the grout get wet.
It’s natural for your home to move slightly, whether due to the foundation settling, changes in temperature, fluctuations in humidity levels, and other factors. When this happens, cracks can appear in your grout—particularly in joints where tile meets another surface.
For instance, if you have a tile wall above your bathtub, you might notice cracks in the joints where the tile connects to the tub. Movement in your subfloor can also lead to cracked grout.
While you can’t stop your home from moving, there are ways to minimize the risk of grout cracking. When you hire a tile installer, for example, they’ll leave a certain amount of space around the perimeter of your project to allow for expansion and contraction. They’ll also know when to use caulk versus grout to prevent cracking.
You don’t need to seal all types of grout, but cement-based grout requires sealing. If not, this porous grout can absorb liquid, leaving it susceptible to cracking. Improper sealing can also lead to other problems, like staining, mold growth, and water damage.
Regularly resealing grout can help prevent these sorts of issues. You can seal most types of grout every two years, but shower grout should be sealed annually.
Sometimes, cracked grout is simply a matter of wear and tear. As grout gets older, it’s more likely to break down and crack—especially if it’s in an area with heavy foot traffic.
The right method for fixing cracked or loose grout depends on a few factors, including the extent and cause of the damage.
If you only have a couple of cracks here and there, you may be able to fill them in with silicone caulk. However, if there’s widespread fracturing or crumbling, you may need to replace the grout (or tile) entirely.
Either way, it’s smart to have a local grout repair pro assess the situation before trying to fix it yourself.
In some cases, repairing cracked grout is a DIY-friendly job that you can finish in an afternoon. However, you should only take on this project if you can identify—and are prepared to fix—the underlying problem that led to the grout cracking. Otherwise, you could end up with the same problem down the line. If you aren’t sure what’s causing your cracked grout, call a pro.
Repair costs vary depending on the type of grout and the size of the area, but you can often spot-fix minor cracks for around $50. On the other hand, hiring a pro to repair grout costs $100 to $700.
For more severe or widespread cracking, you may need to replace the grout—which is pricier (and far more labor-intensive) than fixing a few spots. For example, you can regrout a shower yourself for about $200. But if you’d rather leave it to an expert, enlisting a professional to regrout a shower costs $600 to $2,500.
Terrible experience. Walls/trim/floors/cabinets/doors all have drip marks, overspray, etc. Tiling at the fireplace had to be redone by another vendor due to incorrect and shoddy install by Profect. Contractor had his children in our house while he was on site without prior authorization or...
Profect painting & exteriorsIt was wonderful working with Yordy and his team. They were very professional and are experts in what they do. They have completed the work on time, with better quality and with in fairly reasonable price. We just started with backsplash work , but liking his work, we went on to provide...
Flooring SolutionsWe were having 2”x 2” tile installed . There was a small installation error and the new additional replacement tile was from a different lot and the colors didn’t match. Joe assured us that he would rectify everything , which he did without hesitation. We decided to go with the 18” x 36” tile...
CarifaTileFor several months I was looking for somebody to tile a wall in my master bath and move lighting fixtures, and could not find anybody who was responsive. I contacted Rowe through Home Advisor and within days they came by to assess the job and provide an estimate. The cost was very...
Rowe House DevelopmentIt went very well! The end product was amazing and we keep getting a lot of compliments from friends! M&E were very professional and they made sure we were happy with the product before leaving. They met with us in our home and at the tile shop to make sure we were okay with our tile and...
M&E RemodelingInvolved an extensive bathroom remodel, including removing tub & installing walk in shower, new drywall, custome tile work to ceiling, plumbing, etc. Overall, job was done on time and on budget. Nick & his team were very professional and had high attention to detail. Quality was great. Highly...
Stamos Flooring and Remodeling LLCVery pleased with the service and level of professionalism. Courteous and very unobtrusive in performing service. Unlike several other companies, Bradford Xteriors was willing to perform work on a three story home with a clay tile roof. <br />
Bradford XteriorsThis company did a very good job on the brick wall and it looks just amazing. The staff was always professional and was practically OCD on how the bricks were stacked and how they were laid. Although it took longer than expected, I am willing to sacrifice time over perfection anyday. The...
My Handy Mate LLC Improvement & RemodelingHe did the tile work and he was good at it. He used other subcontractors for the rest of the work (like putting in the cabinetry) and they were okay but not great. He was a great guy! He was easy to work with and had a good eye for the detail of his work. There were a couple of things that I...
Brian Miller Custom RemodelingI was very impressed with Miller Cantrell! I live in an old home in which the sewage line that runs from my home to the sewage system is a line of clay tile. These eventually collapse and need to be replaced - an expensive problem and sure to happen at the worst time. I told them that my...
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