Grout

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Defect and Repair

Grout  Defect Repair
def1 Staining

Caused by accumulated dirt, soil, etc.

Can be avoided by applying sealer or protector over the grouting material, so that the pollutant cannot penetrate into the grouting material.

 For epoxy resin type, the stains usually can be simply removed with clean water and mop (since it’s supposed to be stain resistant).

Do not use acid cleaner. Clean with proprietary grout and tile cleaner in accordance with manufacturer recommendation.

Consult the tile manufacturer for the compatibility of the cleaning agent.
 def2 Corrosion

May be due to the harsh cleaning agent and/ or low quality grout, such as Improper proportion/ mixture of grouting material.

 Scrape off all the grout and re-grout again.

 
 def3 Debonding

Caused by poor workmanship and/ or low quality grout, such as Improper proportion/ mixture of grouting material.

 Scrape off all the grout and re-grout again.
 def4 Algae growth

Low maintenance

 Can be removed dry with wooden scrappers and/ or brittle brushes or may be removed using high pressure water lance.

In all cases, the cleaned surface should be treated with a suitable and approved anti-fungal wash
Efflorescent

This may be caused by:

  1. Soluble salts from Portland cement based material that coming to the surface of the grout joint through a capillary or wicking action.
  2. Setting bed not properly cured before tile installation
  3. Too much water used in clean up.
  4. Improper proportion/ mixture of grouting material or low quality grout.
  5. Water content high in sodium chloride.
 Clean with proprietary grout and tile cleaner in accordance with manufacturer recommendation.

Consult the tile manufacturer for the compatibility of the cleaning agent.
Discoloration

  1. Acid concentration used in the clean up too high, not flushed thoroughly with clean water.
  2. Too much water used in clean up.
  3. Improper proportion/ mixture of grouting material or low quality grout.
  4. Joints not soaked/ saturated with water before acid cleaning.
 Permanently stain grout joint with grout stain or grout colourant to desired colour.

Scrape off all the grout and re-grout again.
Powdery

  1. High absorption of tile preventing hydration of grout
  2. Excessively soupy grout mix
  3. Failure to wet cure grout or use additive.
 Scrape off all the grout and re-grout again, ensure slow and even curing.
Mottled

Grout covers with spots or streaks.

  1. Gypsum dust from drywall, plastering work
  2. Dust and dirt from job
  3. Uneven absorption of tile
  4. Spills by homeowners, painter, etc
 Clean with proprietary grout and tile cleaner in accordance with manufacturer recommendation.

Consult the tile manufacturer for the compatibility of the cleaning agent

 
Cracking & Crazing

  1. Improper proportion/ mixture of grouting material or low quality grout, i.e. too much water.
  2. Flexural movement in substrate
  3. Building movement
 Scrape off all the grout and re-grout again
 def5 Pointing defect

Joints not fully filled

 Scrap off the remaining grout at the affected portion, and re-grout again. Make sure the matching of the colour tone.
 def6 Inconsistent joint width

Poor tiling workmanship. Fixing tiles using spacer to ensure the consistency of the joints.

 Re-tile and re-grout.

Note: For more defects, please refer to the Defect Library.