I’m often asked if epoxy grout is slippery. The answer is yes and no. Yes, it can be slippery, but no more than any other type of cementitious grout, like a traditional cement tile grout or silicone-based latex grout.
Doesn’t epoxy grout need to go through a curing process?
The curing process is the same for all grouts. Epoxy cementitious grout acts just like any other cementitious grout, so you must make sure to follow the instructions on your particular brand of epoxy grout to ensure it cures properly.
The curing process generally lasts 1-2 days depending on how thick you apply the epoxy cementitious grout, but it can take up to 7 days if you want to be extra safe and wait for a complete cure. Curing will occur faster in warmer temperatures than in cooler ones, so try not to sculpt your tiles with wet hands during this time if possible!
Your epoxy cementitious grout should also cure before being exposed to moisture — otherwise, it may become weak or even dissolve!
So always make sure that your tiles are dried before sealing them off with a clear sealant or other protective coatings like wax or lacquer (if they’re going into an area where they’ll get wet often).
Table of Contents
- Doesn’t epoxy grout need to go through a curing process?
- Will it be slippery for my kitchen and bathroom floors
- Why is epoxy grout slippery
- How long does it take for epoxy grout to dry
- Are there any techniques to make sure your grout isn’t slippery
- If I use an extra sealant, will that make it less slippery
- If I use a non-slip additive to my grout will it help
- Will a thicker layer of epoxy be less slippery
- What kind of tile can I put in a high traffic area with epoxy grout
- How do you get epoxy grout off of your shoes if they are too slick
- Epoxy and cement grouts are all cementitious and are essentially the same in terms of slip resistance.
Will it be slippery for my kitchen and bathroom floors
You may be surprised to learn that epoxy grout is indeed very slippery. It’s not just a myth.
If you are planning on installing an epoxy floor in your kitchen or bathroom, you will want to make sure that you take the appropriate steps to ensure that your floors don’t become dangerously slippery.
Epoxy grout is especially slippery when wet and has a tendency to stay slippery even after it has dried out. In addition, if there is grease or other contaminants on your floor, this will make it even more likely for people to slip and fall while walking across your newly installed epoxy grout flooring.
Other factors can contribute to making your new epoxy grout flooring slippery too: if someone spills something (like water) on top of their feet as they walk across the surface of the floor; if there isn’t enough debris being removed from underfoot as someone walks across their newly installed epoxy grout surface; if there isn’t adequate ventilation beneath where someone might stand while working with chemicals during construction or repair work around where these chemicals were used previously etcetera…
Why is epoxy grout slippery
Epoxy grout is a cementitious material. It’s made from cement, water, and additives such as acrylic polymers or pigments.
Polymers are long molecules that come together in chains to form a network structure; the epoxy part of epoxy grout comes from this structure. These polymers make epoxy very strong in both compression and tension (pulling apart).
However, there are other things that can help explain why some floors become slippery after using epoxy grout.
How long does it take for epoxy grout to dry
The drying time for epoxy grout is typically 24 to 48 hours, but this can vary depending on the size of your project.
For example, if you’re working with a large area of grout and use a lot of it, expect that your epoxy will take longer to dry than if you were doing a small patch job.
This is because larger amounts of epoxy tend to retain moisture longer than smaller amounts do (think about how damp concrete dries compared with dry sand).
The humidity level in your room also plays an important role in determining how long epoxy will take to dry.
Humidity refers to the amount of water vapor present in the air—a high-humidity environment is one where there’s more moisture available for evaporation, whereas low humidity exists when less water vapor is present.
When applying any type of adhesive sealant or grout sealer on top of tile surfaces like porcelain tiles or granite countertops that have been sealed using siliconized acrylics such as Sikafloor products before grouting begins (as opposed to sealing them afterward), experts recommend making sure there’s enough ventilation in place so as not interfere with air circulation around these materials during the installation process itself; otherwise, this could affect curing times significantly depending upon how well ventilated those rooms actually are–which would cause some areas requiring higher levels longevity than others.
Are there any techniques to make sure your grout isn’t slippery
In the event that your epoxy grout is slippery, there are a few ways to make sure it isn’t.
- Use a non-slip additive. These additives can be added to the grout mixture during mixing or applied directly to the finished product for better grip.
- Apply sealant after curing but before topping off with tile or flooring. This will help prevent it from being too slippery for those who walk on it regularly, especially if these individuals have certain conditions like arthritis which affect their ability to walk without slipping and falling onto their backsides.
- Apply a thicker layer of grout than usual so that you can use less sealant later on down the line when someone asks “what kind of material do they use in anti-skid floors?” because they saw how much fun they were having while walking around barefoot while people were busy working hard behind them trying not to slip into something embarrassing due lack of traction!
If I use an extra sealant, will that make it less slippery
If you are using sealants, they will not make the surface less slippery. Proper installation, maintenance and cleaning are still necessary.
If you choose to use a sealant on your flooring, it is highly recommended that you test it on a small area first to ensure that the product does not become too slippery for your needs.
If I use a non-slip additive to my grout will it help
No. Not at all. The reason for this is that epoxy grout has a high coefficient of friction, which means it will not be slippery when wet.
Additives are unnecessary because the manufacturer already adds a non-slip additive to help prevent slips and falls.
If you have any concerns about the safety of your tile flooring, contact one of our experts who can give you advice on how to make your surface safer without compromising its aesthetic appeal.
Will a thicker layer of epoxy be less slippery
Yes, a thicker layer of epoxy will be more slippery. When you put down a thinner layer, the surface has to stretch and bend as you step on it.
However, when you apply a thicker layer of epoxy, the surface only needs to bend instead of stretch.
This will make it easier for water molecules in your shoes to get trapped between the floor and your feet – causing slippage!
What kind of tile can I put in a high traffic area with epoxy grout
Tile Options
If you’re looking for an alternative to ceramic tile, consider one of the following options:
- Marble is a natural stone that has been used for centuries. It can be polished to a high gloss, but it’s more commonly available in matte finishes.
- Granite tiles are made from quartz and feldspar (minerals found in igneous rock). They’re heavier than most other types of tile and have a glossy finish that makes them ideal for high-traffic areas.
- Porcelain tiles have a smooth glazed surface similar to porcelain pottery but are made from clay rather than fired at high temperatures like those used by potters. This gives them an extremely durable surface suitable for kitchens and bathrooms where they’ll get heavy use over time. You should avoid choosing porcelain if you like bright colors or patterns because they tend not to show up well on this material compared with other materials such as ceramic or glass brick which can be painted with enamel paints before installation
How do you get epoxy grout off of your shoes if they are too slick
If you’re worried about slipping and falling on your freshly grouted floor, there are a few ways to reduce the risk.
To start, it’s important to remember that wet rags are effective at taking off epoxy grout. Simply wet a rag or sponge with water and wipe away any extra grout that remains on your shoe! If you want to ensure your shoes stay clean, we recommend using this method in combination with one of the following:
- A product specifically designed for cleaning off epoxy grout (such as Tilex Quick Cleaner). This will remove more stubborn stains from shoes than regular soaps and detergents and should be used as soon after applying epoxy as possible.* An oil-based solvent like mineral spirits or turpentine (for outdoor applications only). These solvents should not come into contact with skin or eyes—use in a ventilated area away from heat sources like fireplaces or barbecues.* A dry cloth/rag; this technique may take longer but is effective at removing small amounts of residual adhesive material
Epoxy and cement grouts are all cementitious and are essentially the same in terms of slip resistance.
Epoxy and cement grouts are all cementitious and are essentially the same in terms of slip resistance.
The main difference is that epoxy grouts typically have a higher compressive strength than cementitious grouts, which means they’re better able to withstand heavy traffic over time.
Conclusion
We hope that we’ve demystified epoxy grout and cementitious grouts for you, and you feel more comfortable choosing the best product for your needs.
We love to hear from our readers, so if there are any questions or comments on this topic that we didn’t answer above, please leave them below!