You’ve just finished your job and you’re ready to take a well-deserved break. You have your lunch, some cold drinks in the fridge, and a good book.
You settle into your chair and start to relax… when all of a sudden, you hear something dripping from above!
You look up just in time to see some water coming through the ceiling tiles and onto your brand new grout job! What happened?
Why did this happen? What should you do next? We’ll go over everything here so that you can avoid this scenario ever happening again.
Is epoxy grout waterproof?
Epoxy grout is waterproof, but it’s not water-resistant. It’s important to note the difference between waterproof and water-resistant.
Waterproof means that something does not allow water to pass through it, but water-resistant means that something allows a small amount of water to be repelled from its surface.
Epoxy grout is waterproof; it does not allow moisture to pass through its surface at all. But epoxy grout isn’t very good at repelling moisture in general; if you leave your tub filled with water all day long, eventually some will seep into the joints between tiles and cause them to swell slightly and crack apart over time.
So how do you prevent this? There are several things you can do:
- Use plastic spacers between tiles instead of metal ones (this will allow for more flexibility in installation)
- Fill any gaps between tiles with caulk before installation
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What happens if you don’t seal grout?
If you don’t seal your grout, it will become dirty and moldy. The grout will be more likely to stain and harder to clean, so you’ll need to scrub it more often. If you don’t seal the grout, it’s also more likely that pieces of your floor won’t stay together if they get stepped on or knocked into by a chair leg.
You may be wondering why anyone would choose not to seal their epoxy grout in order to avoid these issues—but the truth is that most people don’t notice the difference between sealed and unsealed grout until years later when they start thinking about replacing their floors because the colors have faded or worn off!
What grout does not need to be sealed?
- Tub and shower surround grout
- Wall, floor, and backsplash (tile) grout
- Countertop and sink countertop sealer if you are working with a natural stone such as marble or granite
Does epoxy grout stay clean?
Epoxy grout is a porous material, so it can absorb dirt and stains. The color of the grout will not change after it gets dirty. If you want to keep your epoxy grout looking new, follow these cleaning tips:
- Clean with mild soap and water solution. Mix one teaspoon of mild soap in two cups of water and wipe the surface with this solution using a sponge or cloth. Rinse thoroughly with clean water if necessary.
- Clean with a grout cleaner (not all cleaners are created equal). Some manufacturers recommend specific cleaners for their products; it’s best to check the manufacturer’s recommendations before deciding on what product to use for cleaning your epoxy grout surfaces
How long will epoxy grout last?
It’s important to note that not all epoxy grout is protected with a sealant. In fact, most epoxies are meant to be used outdoors and will not need to be sealed in order to last a long time.
If your project plan calls for an indoor application, however, it may be necessary to add a protective layer over the surface of the grout so that it doesn’t get damaged by household cleaners or other chemicals.
The best way to tell if your grout needs sealing is simply by looking at it with your own eyes—if there are any cracks or chinks in the colored surface then you should consider adding some sort of protective coatings like clear sealer or varnish (both can help prevent staining as well).
You can also perform another test: run warm water over an area where you suspect there might be damage from cleaning products; if this reveals discoloration then this could mean that the underlying material has been compromised by exposure and requires protection from further damage.
Does epoxy grout get moldy?
The short answer is that, yes, mold can grow in grout. But this is not necessarily a bad thing! In fact, mold is often what gives epoxy grout the rich color that you see in many modern homes.
Mold is a fungus that grows on damp surfaces like wet concrete or stone. Areas with poor ventilation and light are also more likely to host mold growth because they provide an ideal damp environment for fungi to thrive.
Is it really necessary to seal grout?
You have to seal your grout.
Why you ask? Allow us to explain:
When you don’t seal your grout, the porous nature of the material allows it to absorb moisture from the surrounding area. This causes discoloration and deterioration in a few ways:
- Water can seep into cracks or crevices in the tile, causing mold growth that will make your tiles look dirty even when they’re clean;
- If there is water trapped underneath or behind tiles (or anywhere else), then it can cause damage over time; and
- The joints between materials like concrete will expand when wet (causing them to crack).
How can you tell if grout is sealed?
It is impossible to tell if a grout has been sealed without testing it. Testing can be done in a number of ways, including:
- Using a grout sealer (more on that below)
- Testing with an acid solution on the surface of the grout (such as vinegar or hydrochloric acid). If there is no reaction, then your grout is sealed.
- Reading the manufacturer’s instructions and/or website. If they say something like “your product will last longer if you seal it,” then you know that this is recommended for better longevity.
Conclusion
The bottom line is that you should make sure to seal your grout if it’s not already done. If you are looking for more information on sealing the grout in your home or business, contact a local contractor who can do an inspection and give you options on how best to proceed with the project.
