4 Causes of Grout Deterioration and How to Avoid Them

Tile and grout have become an increasingly popular method of design across the United States. There are countless new homes being built with large areas of tile throughout, and many home repairs with new tile installation. It can be a beautiful design element, a statement piece in your home, or simply provide a clean and sleek look. Even just the grout itself can be a bold design statement while the tile provides a plain background that is easy on the eyes.

However, though grout is attractive to homeowners for many reasons, one of its biggest problems is the potential to deteriorate over time. Unfortunately, this can be a turnoff since it is has the opposite of the intended effect, and Gilbert tile floor restoration is a hefty investment. Here we discuss four common causes of grout deterioration and how to avoid them in order to extend the life of your tile floor.

Moisture

Moisture is one of the biggest enemies of grout. This is especially true if the grout is in an outdoor area, or a place where moisture is often present such as the kitchen, bathroom, laundry area, or entryway. Any place where moisture frequently occurs or spills are threatened is a risky area to install tile and grout. Because grout is typically porous, moisture is easily absorbed. This causes the grout to crumble from the inside out and encourages the growth of mold and bacteria. Not only do mold and bacteria threaten the life of your grout, but it is also a detriment to the health of your family and pets.

There are a few simple way to avoid grout deterioration caused by moisture. A simple tile floor cleaning will help tremendously, especially if you live in high humidity where moisture tends to cling to all surfaces. Leaving it to a professional Gilbert tile and grout cleaning is a good way to make sure no moisture gets left on your floor after a thorough scrubbing. Additionally, avoid leaving damp or wet area rugs on your floor; if one gets soaked, hang it up to dry thoroughly before putting it back on the tile floor. Avoid wearing wet shoes in the area, and wipe up any spills promptly. It also does not hurt to have a ceiling or box fan in the area to provide extra ventilation and air movement if necessary.

Harsh Chemicals

Another common cause of grout and tile deterioration is using harsh or wrong chemicals to clean the area. It is a good idea to utilize a professional Gilbert tile floor cleaning service for this reason. There are so many floor cleaning options on the market today that it can be overwhelming to choose the best one. Let a Gilbert grout cleaning service do the hard work for you, and instead put your effort into choosing a trustworthy company in the Gilbert area.

Poor Installation & Maintenance

One reason to choose a reliable tile company is the necessity of good initial installation and sealing of the tile and grout. Grout sealing is the process of applying a good quality sealant to help prevent damage from absorbing moisture, heavy foot traffic, harsh chemicals, or other potential detrimental factors. Poor maintenance throughout its lifetime also heavily contributes to grout breakdown.

Again, it is critical to choose a reliable installer, as well as a knowledgeable Gilbert ceramic tile floor cleaning service, in order to extend the lifetime of your tile and grout. A trustworthy tile installation company will offer tips and advice on proper maintenance of your floor, and will help you avoid needing to spend large amounts of money on grout repair, re-sealing, or re-coloring.

Inferior Grout Quality

As always, the quality of the grout used is a major determining factor in how well the grout will stand up to daily wear and tear. If the installation contractor chooses a low-quality grout so you can have cheaper installation expenses, you will surely get exactly what you pay for. It is 100% worth it for you and your grout to invest in a higher quality material to save yourself from further expenses down the road.

The majority of grout options are cement-based and are offered in both sanded and un-sanded varieties. While these can be cheaper for the homeowner, they are typically highly porous and must be well sealed to avoid deterioration from daily life. Know what you are paying for, be aware of what is being installed in your home, and make an informed decision that you are happy with both now and in the future.

Desert Tile and Grout Care is an established local Gilbert company specializing in many tile and grout services. This includes Gilbert ceramic tile and grout cleaning, installation, design, maintenance, repairs, and more. We can rejuvenate, seal, and restore your tile floors to make them look as good as new, in addition to re-coloring your grout for a refreshing new look. While we offer competitive and affordable prices, our workmanship and materials are the highest quality. Our tile cleaning experts are trained in all types of ceramic flooring and can offer advice as well as professional repairs if needed throughout the lifetime of your grout and tile. Give Desert Tile and Grout Care a call today to speak to one of our tile experts and find out more!