Shower tile and grout, what do we do now?

[joseywales]

A relative has a construction business and we had him redo our bathrooms. I came to find out, one of his employees did the shower and it's not working out.

The first issue, the grout on the inside corners began falling out, after only a few weeks. He said the employee didn't use the correct grout. He removed it and used what looks more like a caulk. It looks fine, so fine.

I told him at the time that I was concerned about the wall grout. Sure enough, only a few months after installation, the wall grout is starting to come out in strips, just as it did on the inside corners. You can see it in the pics.

Is there any easy solution to this, other than digging it all out and grouting the walls over again? Is it possible it will be just a few spots? Honestly, we haven't even washed walls well, because I was concerned about the grout. Maybe I clean the walls with a scrub brush and just see what happens?

Pic 1, if you look toward the bottom, middle, you'll see just next tot he granite, where the grout is coming out. Nothing but water ever contacts that portion of the wall.

Pic 2 is a bit higher on the wall.

 

[Slowgsr]

Did he use premixed grout? The stuff that comes in a tub and is ready to apply.

I don't believe that stuff is good for wet locations, like using mastic vs thinset.

 

[strutaeng]

I'm no expert on the subject, but I just follow the instructions on the products.

It looks like he used sanded grout, which has a minimum joint size of 1/8. That tile usually has some dimples that eliminates the spacers to install it. It may be less than 1/8" joint size. Read here:

https://www.conestogatile.com/learning-center/all-you-need-to-know-about-grout/

I did a tile kitchen backsplash (4x12 tile) and used non-sanded grout. For my walk-in-shower (12x24 tile) I used sanded grout with 3/16 spacers. Some grout at the corners has cracked, but that is to be expected and is from thermal and wood framing shrinking and expanding. I saw an article where they recommend these be filled with silicone to allow movement.

I've never used the premixed stuff, except for very small repairs.

I hope this helps.

 

[joseywales]

There was a bucket of premix and regular grout. I have no issue with premix, but this was sanded and I think the guy made a mistake.

If there a way to salvage this, or does it need to be completely redone? If it weren't a family member, I'd insist on it being redone. And, if I have it redone, it will be by a tile guy. I just don't trust his crew removing that grout, without damaging tiles.

Any thoughts on not regrouting the entire wall? Or am I in for the mess?

 

[ddurrett896]

You've got to cut out all the grout and re do it. Major PITA.

That inside corner doesn't look like caulk - even sanded caulk...Too gritty. You never grout an inside corner and only use caulk.

 

[strutaeng]

Unfortunately, I can't offer good advice, as I'm not a pro. on this.

From the photo it looks the grout may not be deep in the joint. Try to remove a sample area with a 5-1 tool. There's also a tool specifically made to remove grout: https://www.homedepot.com/p/QEP-Pro...Stripping-and-Removing-Grout-10092Q/203365414

Ask a pro at a tile forum. I'm sure this has happened to someone.

https://www.johnbridge.com/vbulletin/

 

[joseywales]

Funny you say that about the inside. That went first and he repaired it. It's looks/feels like caulk with sand mixed in. To be honest, as long as it holds, i think I like the look better. I know he said he couldn't find a caulk to match the tile, so perhaps he added some grit to help it match better.

Yeah, i figured it was a complete redo. He said he would come back, scrape it, and use the correct grout. If he does it, I feel better about it, as opposed to someone on his crew. Honestly, it's not that difficult and I would grout it, but the cleaning is a PITA and it's hard for me to justify after paying to have it done. It's so hard for contractors to find competent help. And if their defense, you really have to read the bucket to know. I asked them to provide the grout, to avoid this type of issue, but they said they would use whichever we picked out and just to get he color we wanted.

 

[foodie]

I think not only is the issue with grout not holding,....perhaps thinking of water behind the tile as well???? I am no expert,...but this also would be one of the first things I would think of....and yes he (the contractor) should remove it and redo it no charge...he is responsible for his employees work...his name is on the company title..