Floor grout failure

2 years ago

Doing a kitchen remodel. Kitchen laundry small bath and hallway. Raised floor. Removed old tile and concrete leveling base. Replaced leveling base with durock. It was screwed into place. We lost faith in this contractor because after doing the research and calling durock info line, realized they installed it incorrectly. Hired reputable tile Installers, they added a few more screws and said it would be fine. They were going to level and opted not to. Tile Job has been completed for over 2 months. They did what looked like a great job with the exception of one area that was very unlevel. They came back and removed grout and tile of that one little section. And reinstalled.
QUESTION.
We have partial cabinets installed. Tec grout accu color. Light buff. Porcelain tile.
I noticed what looked like a wet spot on the grout. When I tried to wipe it up the grout came with it. Checked other areas including where I have already sealed and the grout crumbles comes up, turns to mud. We called the installer. He looked at the worst spots that were done last.(recent fix) He said it was from movement vibration.
wanted to fix with a type of grout caulk. When I showed him that other areas that I had sealed comes up with a wet paper towel. He said I just shouldn't do that. Of course I've tried to research other than my bad luck, what could cause such a problem. Called the grout company and they said it could be a few things. We have already paid these people.
Does anyone have any suggestions hits or advice?? Please

Featured Answer

PRO

Monique

2 years ago

If you have deflection in your floors, the tile will end up cracking too. Who calculated the deflection in the floors to know if they were stiff enough to support tile?

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Comments (10)

PRO
HALLETT & Co.
2 years ago
Grout dries solid and hard. Other than some dust it shouldn’t come up when wet (how would it be used in a shower?). Something is wrong with the install.
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klem1
2 years ago
If the contractor is bonded and insured you can file a claim,if not it will cost more for an attorney than to hire a new contractor and start over.
Dee Epp
Original Author
2 years ago
Thank you all. The tile guy is going to come back and take grout out and redo. He's never had this problem before so he's bringing his rep. To look at it.

Bottom cabinets are already installed.

Not sure what to do. Leave cabinets in place and just do surrounding tile? Or pull them all out?

If anyone has some advice please let me know.

Thanks again.
Iri
2 years ago
If they can regrout around the cabinets I'd just leave them in place. Doesn't matter if the grout under them is bad. Make sure they tape off the cabinets to keep them clean, though.
millworkman
2 years ago
" Doesn't matter if the grout under them is bad. "

Unless you ever want to change the layout.
swiss_chard_fanatic
2 years ago
The floor has too much movement in it to properly support tile. You will likely have this problem no matter what company installs it. This is a common problem with above-ground houses; I have this problem in my own house and I have seen this problem in many above-ground houses. You said you had a "raised floor" -- does this mean above-ground house?

If you were to reinforce the subflooring to make it stiffer, and level your floor at the subfloor level (not by using material that can crack), then maybe it would fix the issue, though I remain skeptical about it. I think most people are likely better off going with LVP than tile for this very reason.
Dee Epp
Original Author
2 years ago
Yes it is an above ground house, two story. built in 1938. There was tile there before it was put in in the 70'so (so pretty) have tile in two bathrooms upstairs that is fine. Wood floor in the rest of house. All the rest of the flooring is great.

Thanks to everyone for your help and guidance.
Dee Epp
Original Author
2 years ago
Yes it is an above ground house, two story. built in 1938. There was tile there before it was put in in the 70'so (so pretty) have tile in two bathrooms upstairs that is fine. Wood floor in the rest of house. All the rest of the flooring is great.

Thanks to everyone for your help and guidance.
HU-227031627
2 years ago
Pretty much all the living space in my house is on the second floor (kitchen, 3 baths, living room, etc.). My living room is tiled, as are my three bathrooms. I live in the dunes, where neighbors periodically need to have their houses jacked because of sand. I have never heard of a floor having too much movement to properly support tile or anything about grout turning to powder. I've lived in this house over 20 years and had the living room and 2 bathrooms tiled. They put hardybacker type material down on the floors and worked hard to make sure everything was level before tiling. I re-did a kitchen at my husband's office (old building and it is headed for demolition when he decides to retire), and even the budget rate tiling job (has lippage) that was done there (over a basement) does not have grout turning to powder or cracks.