Grout popping out from tile floor

[LabLuvR]

I noticed yesterday that some grout had popped out from the tile floor in our bathroom near the shower. Would water from someone stepping out of the shower wet cause that over time?

IMG_1596.jpg

[ecu1984]

not if it had been sealed
easy repair, buy the color, mix it
get a grout float, rub it in and then take a big wet sponge and clean and shape your lines
Youtube is your friend

[Palmetto Bug]

Flexibility of the subfloor can also cause grout to crack.

[SwampDecoy]

Flexibility of the subfloor can also cause grout to crack.

Exactly. Doesn't have anything to do with Sealing the Grout. If you are on a Wood Subfloor, a) the Installer either did not install Backerboard b) didn't install Backerboard correctly c) the Subfloor under the Backerboard is moving. If you are on a Concrete Subfloor, it is cracking and there is No Crack Isolation Membrane under the Tile.

[LabLuvR]

It's on a wood floor. I watched them tile the floor but can't remember if there is backerboard there or not. I should add that the tile has been on the bathroom floor for a little over 20 years.

[WatereesWatson]

tile is moving. I battled this for months on a DIY job in my bathroom and ended up using color matched sanded caulk grout in a tube. fixed it all up, and has not come out since.

https://www.homedepot.com/s/sanded%2...20caulk?NCNI-5

Pick a color you like. I did have to remove all of it which was a mess but ended up being worth it. Try just regrouting it first probably.

[ecu1984]

He asked if water could cause it, that is why I asked if sealed or if they used epoxy grout which should be used in bath and shower areas
Of course the subfloor flexing, sinking, shifting could pop it out.
Its a quick, easy and cheap fix, unless you want to tear it all up and relay the entire thing
with backerboard, etc and stated above

[LabLuvR]

No, it was not sealed

[Saltydog235]

Your substrate is flexing. Could be rot, could be separation to thinset, backer failure or expansion/contraction of the house. Access the subfloor underneath and make sure it’s not rotten. If not, cut out the grout and redo the whole floor. Patching will look like shit, never match and just crack again. If it’s rotten, get out your checkbook, bathrooms ain’t cheap and you’ll end up doing the whole thing.

[charlie horse]

Use ditra underlayment this time. Or cork it and put a shag rug over it.

[SwampDecoy]

Looking a little closer, it seems only that last tile at the edge has cracked out. Are there other areas? If not, that one tile has come loose. Should be pretty easy to remove and not break, re-thinset and re-grout. 20 Years old, if it makes it fine. If not replace said area.

[Glenn]

I'd just slide that rug over it and move along.

[LabLuvR]

Rather than tearing things out, can I just use a moisture meter to check for moisture first? I hate to go in there and tear out the floor to find nothing rotten.

[Glenn]

Seriously. Just slide the rug. It's like 3 inches and two seconds of work.

Imagine it's your sex life and get on with it.

[2thDoc]

i see what you did there

[Birddawg]

Your substrate is flexing. Could be rot, could be separation to thinset, backer failure or expansion/contraction of the house. Access the subfloor underneath and make sure it’s not rotten. If not, cut out the grout and redo the whole floor. Patching will look like shit, never match and just crack again. If it’s rotten, get out your checkbook, bathrooms ain’t cheap and you’ll end up doing the whole thing.

This is correct. If youre wanting to play with your moisture meter, crawl your ass under the house and start stabbing floor joists near the crack. When the wood crumbles, you found your problem. Then put your moisture meter back in your purse and call a contractor and go on vacation for a few weeks.

[LabLuvR]

I just don't see how it could be moisture. The tile is at least a foot from the shower and there are tiles between the shower and the pictured tiles which are perfectly fine.

[Black Bart]

Could also be settling and basic expansion and contraction, which happens as the seasons change.

[LabLuvR]

Or time, the tiling is over 20 years old.

[Birddawg]

I just don't see how it could be moisture. The tile is at least a foot from the shower and there are tiles between the shower and the pictured tiles which are perfectly fine.

It may not be moisture but water finds the lowest point and grouting it is pointless if you have subfloor damage. It sounds like youre gonna do whatever you want anyways, so just stick with that.