Grout is the mortar that fills the joints in a brick wall or tile floor. It’s a very important part of any building, but there are situations where you may want to remove your old grout and replace it with something new.
Epoxy grout is probably one of the most common choices for people looking to change out their old, dirty grout—but how long does epoxy last? And how durable is it compared to other types of grout?
Is epoxy grout durable?
Epoxy grout is one of the most durable materials used in commercial and residential construction. It’s stronger than traditional grout, tile, porcelain, and stone.
Epoxy grout is made up of a mixture of epoxy resin (which hardens) and sand or other aggregates (which provide strength). The resin hardens in contact with air; once cured, it becomes waterproof and resistant to water damage.
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Will epoxy grout stick to old grout?
You should be able to use epoxy grout on top of old grout if the existing surface is flat and smooth. If there are any cracks in your existing surface, however, it’s best to fill them before you add the new epoxy grout.
Does epoxy grout mold?
Epoxy grout is mold resistant and you shouldn’t have a problem with it in your bathroom. If you do, there’s a simple solution: Bleach!
While bleach can be very harsh on most surfaces, epoxy grout is made out of polymer polymers that are highly resilient to chemicals.
You only need a little bleach to kill the mold and that’s exactly what I recommend using. Just spray some bleach onto the affected area, let it sit for 10 minutes and then wipe away with a cloth or paper towel.
This should be enough time for any residual moisture to evaporate before scrubbing down with soap and water after rinsing off the bleach residue.
Is epoxy better than grout?
Epoxy is a more durable option than grout. Epoxy has several advantages over grout:
- It’s more resistant to moisture, which means it won’t experience the same problems that can lead to mold growth and mildew in grouted tiles.
- It’s more resistant to staining, so your tile will be protected from spills or accidental contact with liquids whose colors might rub off on the surface of your tile.
- It’s less prone to cracking because epoxy creates a thin layer between your flooring and any subflooring below, so you won’t have issues with settling (like buckling).
- Epoxy resists acids including vinegar and lemon juice better than grout do; this means you won’t have substance-based stains on your tile like rust or hair dye stains that fade over time but aren’t completely removed by cleaning methods like soap and water alone
Is epoxy grout worth the money?
It’s a good idea to think about the amount of money you’re spending on epoxy grout before you jump in. Epoxy grout is more expensive than cement grout, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth the cost. It may be worth it for your specific project if:
- You want something that will last longer than regular cement grout
- You want something less likely to stain or get moldy over time
If these two things don’t apply to your situation, then it may not be worth paying extra for epoxy over regular concrete.
Does epoxy grout turn yellow?
Epoxy grout is resistant to UV light, so it won’t turn yellow over time. However, there are different types of epoxy grout and some are more resistant to UV light than others.
If your epoxy grout is part of a longer process that requires the use of other products (like sealers or cleaners), it may be possible for them to fade faster than the rest of your flooring.
To ensure that your new floor stays bright and cheery for as long as possible, we recommend using only low-VOC sealers and cleaners on top of your epoxy floors.
Can epoxy grout be removed?
Epoxy grout can be removed with a grout removal tool, provided it hasn’t dried for more than 24 hours. If you’re using a plastic grout removal tool, we recommend using an electric drill to get your clay out of the pores of your bricks.
Once you’ve successfully removed all the clay from your surface, you should use a soft cloth and water to wipe up any remaining residue before sealing again with new epoxy grout.
If you want to work without electricity or don’t have a drill handy, try using a chisel instead! We recommend starting at one end and slowly moving toward the other as you chip away at the hardened clay in between each brick until they are all cleanly separated again.
You’ll need to break down each piece individually; so this technique can take some time if there are many bricks involved (but hey—you might just find that old artifact!).
Is epoxy grout more expensive?
Epoxy grout is more expensive than traditional grout, tile, concrete, and glass. It’s also more expensive than wood because it’s not as easy to cut or shape with a saw or router.
You can expect to pay at least $2 per square foot for epoxy grout versus $1 per square foot for traditional ceramic tile.
The cost of your project will depend on several factors: size; complexity; whether you hire professionals or do-it-yourselfers; materials used (such as pennies); and any other special requests (like adding glitter).
The average cost of an epoxy grouting job starts around $5 per square foot but can vary widely depending on these factors—and what kind of person you are!
Conclusion
Epoxy is a great grout that lasts for years and isn’t very expensive. If you have questions about the cost of epoxy, we recommend contacting your local home improvement store to learn more about pricing options for this type of product.
