What's the best flexible grout to use? - Tile Advice

[Lyn]

Hello all,
I have a porcelain tile floor that runs through a large kitchen, dining area, hallway and bathroom. The subflooring is thick enough with no noticeable motion. The tiles appear very secure. The floor was laid about 6 months ago. There are now hair line cracks in the grout throughout the project. They are not in one particular area. They run mostly from the corners of the tile. The tiler was surprised by the cracking grout and he plans on removing the grout to replace it. He said he wants to put in a flexible grout. What type of flexible grout do you recommend?

 

[GazTech]

Bal wide joint with gt1 additive.....Gaz

 

[youngcam]

All flexible grouts should work if the manufacturers instructions have been follwed.If they have then get them to send a rep out to look at it.
I normally use WEBER FLOOR GROUT and there AD FLEX ADMIX(think its called AD230)FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS AND YOU``LL HAVE NO PROBLEMS.GROUT 4 TILE AT A TIME THEN WASH OFF THOROUGHLY.

 

[sc24]

go the bal grout +gti additive route, more flexible and stronger than readymixed flexi-grouts

 

[devonmark]

did he not use flexible grout in the first place...?

 

[DHTiling]

Because it is a porcelain tile,flexible grout should have been used anyway as normal grout doesnt bond to the tile edges of porcelain........dave....

 

[davy_G]

What size are the grout lines, sounds like narrow grout may have been used in larger lines?

 

[Lyn]

did he not use flexible grout in the first place...?

No, he didn't.

What size are the grout lines, sounds like narrow grout may have been used in larger lines?

The lines aren't large. He used Mae pei ultracolor grout. He's been tiling for 20 years, so it seems he would know what he's doing...:sad_smile:

Because it is a porcelain tile,flexible grout should have been used anyway as normal grout doesnt bond to the tile edges of porcelain........dave....

I actually wondered about that. Thanks for confirming that for me.

Bal wide joint with gt1 additive.....Gaz

Do you know if Bal is available in the United States? I've looked on line and haven't seen it here.

 

[DHTiling]

no probs..deffo flexi grout with porcelain tiles.........dave..
----
If you contact bal direct they will let you know who there suppliers if any are in the usa.........dave..

mailto:[email protected]

 

[Lyn]

All flexible grouts should work if the manufacturers instructions have been follwed.If they have then get them to send a rep out to look at it.
I normally use WEBER FLOOR GROUT and there AD FLEX ADMIX(think its called AD230)FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS AND YOU``LL HAVE NO PROBLEMS.GROUT 4 TILE AT A TIME THEN WASH OFF THOROUGHLY.

Thanks, I appreciate your advice!

 

[Lyn]

no probs..deffo flexi grout with porcelain tiles.........dave..
----
If you contact bal direct they will let you know who there suppliers if any are in the usa.........dave..

mailto:[email protected]

Seems like England is ahead of the game... Do you know if deffo flexi grout is available in the USA?

 

[DHTiling]

sorry lyn , it was just my terminology there..i meant he should definitely have used flexible grout or normal grout with an additive .......dave..

 

[Lyn]

sorry lyn , it was just my terminology there..i meant he should definitely have used flexible grout or normal grout with an additive .......dave..

HAHAHA... that's my laugh for the day! Thanks

 

[GazTech]

Seems like England is ahead of the game... Do you know if deffo flexi grout is available in the USA?

absolutely certain to be.....Gaz

 

[Lyn]

Replacing grout this week and grout caulk

Hello all,
You were very helpful to me concerning this new tile job done in my kitchen, hallway and bathroom with a porcelain tile. The grout has hairline cracks throughout the project. The tiler said he would replace the grout with flexible grout.

He is scheduled to finally come this Wednesday, November 14. I am concerned that he might try to convince us to let him fix sections of the floor rather than the entire job, since there are some areas that aren't cracked.

I have two concerns. First, I fear the color will be different and noticeable. Second, is it true that when you pull grout out in a section and replace it with new grout, that there may be a tendency for the grout to crack again where the old and the new meet?

Also, I read something about a grout caulk that works if the grout line isn't more than 1/4 inch. Since we have hairline cracking throughout the floor, I'm wondering if this would be a good idea.

I'd really appreciate your thoughts!

Lyn