See Education and Training. What are you looking for? All Content Documents. Epoxy Grouts. Water proofing. Surface Prep. Cement Grouts. Anti-Fracture Membranes. Radiant Heat Systems. This will vary depending on the tile size, thickness of the tile and joint width. Please note that grout coverage is approximate and can vary based on job site conditions, actual grout joint width and depth, type of tile or stone being grouted, and installation method. Do I need a grout release when grouting with epoxy?
It may also slump in the joint hours after the floor is finished because the grout becomes less viscous initially as it heats up and cures. Lastly, it generally takes days longer to cure and must be kept rigorously clean. And it can cost three to eight times as much as cementitious grout. There are even epoxy grouts on the market impregnated with Teflon that are both stain proof nearly and wipe clean incredibly easily. It is also possible to smooth epoxy grout with or without Teflon before it cures in a way that leaves the surface with an extra slick plastic finish to which it is very difficult for dirt to adhere.
Epoxy emulsion grouts are not stain proof and generally will absorb liquids and stains. Epoxy thinsets offer greater bond strength and chemical resistance than polymer modified cementitious thinset.
This performance comes at a price as epoxy thinset is much more expensive than regular thinset. Typically, they are only used to bond to difficult substrates or where extraordinary chemical resistance is needed. There are many things that can cause excessive deflection in your subfloor and consequent cracking in the tile or you may have a perfectly sound subfloor but not have prepared the floor properly for tile.
There are several things that can cause cracked grout and we would be guessing as to the cause. It could be that a field inspection is needed to determine why your grout is cracking. Does your installer have any idea as to the cause? The least likely cause would be defective grout. Some other possible things to look for:. In some cases even the type of tile can affect this high or low water absorption tile bodies can vary the methods and materials needed.
Therefore, you can see this can be difficult to assess without an on-site inspection. Usually minimum requirements are 16" o. The plywood sheets should be run with the long side perpendicular to the joists both layers.
The top sheet should be installed so that the joints don't fall over the lower layer gaps nor above the joists. The grout should be very dry and well packed into the joints. The joints should not be flooded with water when they are being cleaned. Joints cannot be "grouted over" successfully.
Generally, grout fails because of movement of the substrate or improper mixing and installation of grout. Stapling the two layers together could be problematical. The best method is to screw and glue the two sheets together. The underlayment should be plywood designed for that purpose too - not just any plywood will do.
Our subsidiary consulting company, TCA-Team, LLC is available for site consultations and failure analysis on a fee basis should you desire an investigation. What is the standard for determining the size of a grout joint? We are often asked what is the standard for determining the size of a grout joint - can it be bigger or smaller - does it need to be a specific size, etc. You will see that it is not specific; however this is the only part of the standard addressing joint spacing.
ANSI A In general, there is not a specific standard for the size of a grout joint. However, there are many relevant parameters that should be considered. Ultimately, the project owner should choose the grout joint they desire, keeping in mind that a tighter grout joint will show more variation from tile to tile. Many people feel that a joint smaller than three times the average variation from tile to tile or two times the maximum variation tends to look irregular and poorly installed.
Also, grout accommodates differences in the angle of the surface. Where the floor or wall is not level, the grout will slope from one tile to another. When tiling over a hump, the grout joint opens up; and when tiling across a depression, the top of the grout joint narrows. For the exact amounts to add, you should check with the manufacturer of the grout you plan to use. Tile spacing is measured between tile edges - not from the top edge of the bevel on the tile.
The majority of tile made today has a beveled edge and grout should not be installed on the bevel. The bevel is often a glazed surface which is intended to transition from one tile to another. On some tiles, the installer must "hand-tool" the grout to keep grout off the bevel.
A common mistake is to set the tile too close. Often, the finished results look sloppy due to variations in the floor or wall and in the tile. Even small variations can throw off the pattern of the tile if adjustments are not made in the grout joint. This would be immediately noticeable and unattractive.
When evaluating grout joints, it is important to consider that the grout is used to adjust for differences in the following:. The standards for the manufacture of tile allow for variation from tile to tile. Grout must adjust for these differences between tiles so understandably there can be some variation in the width of a grout joint. Generally, it is advisable to use a grout joint at least two times the average difference between the largest tiles and the smallest tiles.
A smaller joint will exacerbate the differences between tiles as the human eye can readily see very small differences as a percentage of the total grout joint.
As the plane of the tile changes, the grout joint allows for this change. Should tile go over a hump in the floor, the grout joint will open; when tile follows a depression in the floor, the grout joint will narrow. Clearly, grout joints also accommodate both changes in the thickness and profile of rustic, hand-molded tile.
Perhaps due to these variables, there is not a numerical standard to which the tile grout joint must conform. However, it should be noted, elsewhere in the standards the plane of the subfloor is required to be similarly flat.
Tile installed by the thinset method is really a surface finish that will follow the plane of the substrate. As such, variations in the substrate will be reflected in the tile layer, unless additional leveling is performed. The best way to know this is the water test! Place a few drops of water in your palm, then sprinkle it at various places around the tile and grout. If unsealed, grout will absorb water immediately and the tile will quickly darken in the first minutes.
Many people make the mistake of assuming that sealing grout and tile is a one-time process. Unfortunately, they do require on-going maintenance. Depending on the traffic of your tiled area and the cleaners you use, you may need to apply your grout every six months to a year. Highly trafficked floor tiles and tiles in high moisture areas will need sealer applied more frequently than other types of tiled areas. Well — almost. Choosing the best sealer is the last critical step of this process — move on to the next section to find more!
The natural stone elegance of Calacatta Gold marble or the luminous sparkle of Thassos marble can instantly elevate your bathroom floor design or create a stunning spa experience in your shower! White marble contains naturally occurring iron deposits that can oxidize over time and exposure to water, creating a surface stain that looks like rust. How can you avoid those stains from appearing on your white stone floors and walls? Sealing your white marble tiles is an essential step to keep them pristine!
A penetrating sealer is the most common option which is great to prevent long term water, mildew, and oil damage. It soaks into the surface without changing the color or texture of your grout or surrounding tile. Non-penetrating sealers , on the other hand, not only offer protection but also add a shiny look to your tiles.
While non-penetrating sealers work perfectly to protect kitchen floors or backsplashes, areas that are exposed to a lot of water such as showers and tub surrounds are better protected with a penetrating product. You should make sure your tiles and grout are as clean as possible before applying a sealer or stains may be sealed in place. See resources on how to Keeping Marble Tiles Clean for more tips on how to preserve or recapture the beauty of marble.
We also recommend making sure you have the right cleaning product to keep your tiles pristine before you apply sealer, or in between sealing rounds. Avoid harsh, chemical-based cleaners for most marble, shell, mirror, and ceramic tiles to keep the finish as beautiful as possible!
Whether you prefer a DIY project or choose to hire a professional instead, sealing your tile investment is such an easy process. Still have questions about sealing your grout or tile? Leave your question in the comments!
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