help with crack on grout in floor tiles

[myvaliantboiler]

I have newly laid floor tiles in my conservatory floor, the outcome so far looks good( only for 2 months top), except I can see some cracks in the grout. I wonder why and if there is anything I can do to get rid of it. Also, the floor tiles that I used is ordinary ceramic ones, do I need to use something to seal the surface, and if there is anything I should put on to finish the job properly?

It seems to me that many people highly recommend using Bail products e.g. adhesives, primer etc. I simply used wickes( because they are a lot cheaper!), pva glue, adhesives and grout to do my floor, am I asking for trouble?

Dottie

[Rookery]

What is the sub-floor constructed from? How large is the area? Is there underfloor heating? IMO Wickes is not great quality and PVA is not a suitable primer.

[myvaliantboiler]

Code: Select all

What is the sub-floor constructed from? How large is the area? Is there underfloor heating? PVA is not a suitable primer.

The sub-floor is made of concrete. The room is only very small(about 9m2). There is no underfloor heating. I used PVA to seal the concrete floor before I laid the tiles.

You said pva is not suitable, so what should I have used instead?

Also, what do you think is going to happen to my floor then? I have only cleaned the floor with a brushed so far, will washing it with water cause problem?...

I am plainning to tile my kitchen floor as well. Most of the area is laid with some old red quarry tiles and the rest is (about 9m2 top) in screed and I am on a tight budget, can you suggest what adhesives and etc to do the job properly?

Many thanks,

Dottie. I am getting worried now.

[Rookery]

Normally grout cracking is a result of movement. Assuming the sub-base was fairly old, and therefore fully dried meaning no more shrinkage, I would put this down to either the quality of the grout, it wasnt mixed properly or perhaps dusty grout joints. I would rake it out and reapply using Mapei Ultracolor Plus. It gives a very good finish but read the instructions first. Make sure you fill the joints well with a good grout float. I wouldnt worry too much about the PVA. Its done now. PVA breaks down in water, like wallpaper adhesive. A proper tiling primer such as Mapei Primer G or BAL APD would have been better.

[myvaliantboiler]

Actually the cracks are on the edge of the floor, not in between the tiles.

Since the colour of the grout is peach, it kinds of attract dirt, I wonder if there is anything I can use to put on the grout to stop it turning dark?

You said that the quality of the wickes adhesives is not very good, can you tell me what exactly is the difference between the bal one, why is bal one better? Since at the moment, my floor looks fine apart from the dirt showing up around the grout.

thanks

Dottie

[Rookery]

Oh I see. You grouted the perimeter of the floor. This is classed as a movement joint and should be siliconed not grouted. Clean the floor and use LTP Grout and Tile Protector. It comes in an aerosol so is quite easy to spray on to the grout lines. It doesnt make it stain proof, nothing will, it gives it stain resistance - time to clean up any spills etc, much like scotchguarding a carpet. You can find LTP via google. Keep the floor well swept and mopped using clean water and a proprietary cleaning product.