How do I stop my bathroom grout from crumbling?

Our shower floor grout is disappearing again. If I have to call our contractor (bathroom done in April 2017) this will be the 4th time he has had to fix the shower floor. 1st time we took out the pebble floor entirely and replaced with this 2x2 tile. The grout has crumbled twice now around some of the tiles..

  9 answers
  • Oliva Oliva on Dec 20, 2018

    Was underlayment used in this shower? Was the shower pan properly graded?

    Your grout should not be disintegrating.


    Your contractor or tiler should rectify this, permanently, or be responsible for reimbursing you to have a qualified contractor ( who will give you a 5 year warranty)

    complete the job, correctly.


    Bostick Tru Color Urethane grout, installed more than 5 years ago, has never been a problem. It's very expensive, but worth every penny.

  • Bijous Bijous on Dec 20, 2018

    Hi. There's a possibility of an issue with the pan or liner that's down. Also, if the grout was not sealed and completely dried before using, this may also cause a problem with water seeping underneath. You can patch it or rip it out and find out what's causing it. Sorry.

  • Michelle McCaughtry Michelle McCaughtry on Dec 20, 2018

    Thanks - I think there is something wrong with the pan - thinking that was the problem with the pebble tile sheets too. The last time he fixed the 2x2 tile grout we did not use the shower at all for a full 7 days so hoping it was sealed properly and completely dry. It's our only bathroom so it's a pain to not have a shower for a week or more....

  • Oliva Oliva on Dec 20, 2018

    If the pan "flexes", you will most certainly have recurring problems. Do you have any idea whether or not this may be the issue?

  • Michelle McCaughtry Michelle McCaughtry on Dec 25, 2018

    Contractor is taking full responsibility and will replace the entire shower floor. Only problem is he is on a huge job and won’t be able to come till spring.

  • Oliva Oliva on Dec 27, 2018

    Hi, Michelle,

    You may want to investigate on your own or through an outside party, what your contractor will offer you due to the gross inconvenience to you.

  • Ellis Ellis on Dec 27, 2018

    Maybe get a second opinion? I definitely don't think you should be having this problem--I've seen 50-year-old bathrooms that still have the shower floor intact. This floor is barely a year and half-old, and it's the second floor, and he's been there a few other times!


    He either didn't do the prep work right (pan, etc.) or he isn't using the right product now.

    Don't let him get away with this.

  • Michelle McCaughtry Michelle McCaughtry on Dec 29, 2018

    I’m not worried about him not doing the right thing for us. He’s done a lot of other work for us and everything else has been great. I may nudge him to let us hire a tile specific contractor and reimburse us for that work. If tile is not your best skill just admit it and send us someone who can do it right.

    • Ellis Ellis on Dec 30, 2018

      If you have reason trust him from past experience, that's good. I hope it all turns out well for you!

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Jul 12, 2021

    Hello,

    Maybe use a waterproof tile cement/sealer.