Possible Causes of Water Damage to Your Tile and Grout

Tile and grout are frequently used in kitchens and bathrooms due to their easy to clean nature and their ability to hold up to exposure to water and moisture. Over time, though, your tile and grout can begin to experience wear and tear and become susceptible to water damage.

The good news is that if you understand the potential causes of tile and grout water damage, you can avoid issues with damaged grout and tile in Newport, OR and keep it in great condition for years to come, even in between professional cleanings and sealings.

Here’s a quick overview of several of the most common causes of water damage to tile and grout, and what you can do to address or prevent them.

Poor installation

If the tile and grout was poorly installed, then you’re more likely from the get-go to experience issues with water damage. During the installation process, it is crucial that you (or whoever is doing the work) sufficiently pack the grout into the joints between the tiles. Without proper grout installation, there is more space for water to get behind the tile and cause damage to the floor or wall.

If you have any reason to believe poor installation was an issue, this may require some significant repair work to rectify, and you should call a professional grout repair company to come in and handle the job. This is also a reason to work with professionals when doing new installation rather than trying to get the job done yourself. While you may be able to save yourself some money with a DIY job, you almost certainly will not get the same quality of results.

Unsealed grout

Most grout used for tile floors and walls is cement-based, so it’s going to be porous and therefore susceptible to moisture and liquid. Over time, liquids entering the grout can cause it to deteriorate, resulting in the formation of mold or mildew between tiles. This is why it’s so important to keep your grout sealed—this will close up the pores and prevent water and moisture from getting behind and causing that sort of damage to your grout in Newport, OR, as well as prevent stains and mold/mildew buildup. Depending on the sealing method and products you use, you may need to reseal every several years, so stay on top of this to keep your tile in great condition.

Improper mix

You can purchase pre-mixed grout formulas, in which case you won’t have to worry about having an improper mix. But if you’re mixing your own grout, this could potentially be a problem. It’s important to follow all instructions for grout mixes to the letter. Otherwise, an improper grout mix with too much water or too many polymer additives could result in weak grout that is easily damaged and cracked.

Interested in learning more about how you can prevent tile and grout water damage in your bathroom or kitchen in Newport, OR? We encourage you to contact Paradise Carpet Cleaners Inc. with any questions.

Categorised in: Tile and Grout Cleaning

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