Best grout for tile shower?

8 years ago

My husband and I recently built a house and our contractor used TEC power grout for our tile shower. He swore by it and said that it was the best grout. However, our grout started washing out in clumps. TEC said their formula changed and that there were some bad batches and paid for a regrout of our entire shower, but unfortunately the second regrout did the exact same thing. Our contractor now wants to use TEC accucolor with a grout boost. This will be the third time grouting our shower. We are skeptical about using the grout boost. He also mentioned Bostik vivid grout that we could use?? We are beyond frustrated that our grout has to be replaced for a third time and do not trust our contractor. We are wanting the best grout for our shower - any advice/recommendations would be very much appreciated!

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Comments (5)

MongoCT
8 years ago
Twice failed raises additional concerns.

First was the grout mixed correctly. An experienced installer should have this down, but a lot of folk use too much water in both the mix and when cleaning up. Excessive water can affect the structural integrity of the grout.

Next, contamination. Was the tile sealed prior to grouting? I'm simply wondering if a sealer was used and it got into the grout joints, and on the edges of the tile. That could possibly contribute to the grout not bonding as well as it should. If you can rule out contamination, then...

I'd look at your water source. Consider mixing the grout with distilled water. Tap water can sometimes cause issues depending on mineral content, etc, but it's usually a coloration issue and not a bonding issue.

Also consider one of the single-component grouts, already mixed. Something along the lines of Custom's Fusion Pro grout. There are other single-component grouts from other manufacturers as well.Grouts like Fusion Pro don't install like cement grouts, so the installer needs to read and heed the installation and cleanup instructions.

Here's to hoping the third time is the charm.

Aside: With two showers worth of grout probably being washed down the shower drain, raise the point of the shower trap being thoroughly scoured clean after the job is done. Grout powder could settle in the trap and reduce it's effectiveness to both drain and block sewer gasses.
Apolonia3
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Our tiler used Quartzlock and so far, (fingers crossed), no problems. He swears by this product. Good luck! This product is pre-mixed.

https://www.bostik.com/us/Bostik-products/quartzlock2-rapidcure-urethane-grout
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PRO
Dragonfly Tile & Stone Works, Inc.
8 years ago
Pros have their preferences. We use Laticrete Permacolor or Select exclusively. Never a problem. But, as Mongo stated, follow directions carefully.
PRO
TEC HB Fuller Construction Products
8 years ago
Hi Alexis, I'm the Area Technical Manager for TEC and I'm sorry to hear you had issues with Power Grout. I'm just reading your message today, so I apologize for not responding sooner. I'd like to discuss your project with you in greater detail. Thanks, Chris Kain
Andrea K
8 years ago
My contractor uses Bostic TruColor exclusively. He's done a lot of tile work and feels it's the best grout. My tile project (bathroom flooring and tub/shower surround) starts next month.

https://www.bostik.com/us/Bostik-products/trucolor-rapidcure-pre-mixed-urethane-grout