Tile grout is vital to maintain and repair throughout its lifespan because it creates a seamless appearance between tiles on your floor. Grout is a notoriously porous element that traps moisture, creating the perfect atmosphere for mold and mildew to grow. Learn how to clean this area of your tile and how to fix cracks or gaps to prevent mold and more damage from occurring.
How To Maintain Grout
First, if you keep up with the grout maintenance, you will not see as many cracks or chips in the material. As for the cleaning solution, you do not necessarily need to buy one from the store—create one yourself from hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and dish soap. Take your solution and a soft-bristled toothbrush and begin scrubbing the joints between tiles to penetrate through dirt and stains.
In fact, once you remove the dirt from the grout, more imperfections will be visible. This is a good thing because now you can easily spot problem areas that need your immediate attention for repair.
How To Repair Cracks, Gaps, or Chips in the Grout
Now that you have completed the steps for maintaining your tile grout, you must repair the material to make the floor look more uniform.
Remove Damaged or Protruding Grout
Using a putty knife or grout saw, begin scraping away the old grout that is cracked or needs replacing. Vacuum or sweep up the mess you make as you work through the joints in your tile. This prepares the floor for new grout.
Fill in the Joints With New Grout
Taking a grout float, press the mixture into your luxury vinyl tile flooring to begin filling in the gaps. You must be generous when applying this mixture to ensure it completely seeps into the joints and fills in crevices. If you get grout on the tile’s surface, do not worry. You can clean this up later.
Remove Excess Grout Mixture
Once you fill in the gaps entirely with grout, you need to wipe and scrape away the excess mixture so that it does not stick to the tiles. Take the float from before and gently scrape over the joints to pick up the leftover grout. This will create a flush line with the rest of the floor.
Seal the New Grout
Before you apply the sealant, you must allow the grout to dry for one to two days. You need to seal this area of the floor because it can be prone to more cracks and chips the more you walk over the surface. Sealants will protect this material and prevent water from entering the pores and growing mold and bacteria.
Tile flooring is both beautiful and luxurious to have in the home, but in order to maintain the appearance, you must know how to clean and repair the grout. Do not neglect this component of your floor or more severe damage will set in. Ensure you are doing regular maintenance and cleaning the grout at least twice a year.