September 30, 2025 • 11 mins
Grout is where tile projects win or lose. We’ve all seen perfect floors turn into crumbly, stained headaches, so we pulled back the curtain on what really causes failure and how to stop it before it starts. From subfloor movement to water-heavy mixes, we unpack the hidden factors that crack lines, and then map the smarter path: match grout chemistry to your space, install with intention, and maintain without turning your weekend into a cleaning shift.
We walk through cement-based, epoxy, and urethane grouts—how they handle moisture, stains, and traffic—and why joint size and color choice change the game. If you love white grout, you’ll hear when epoxy is worth it, why a half shade darker can save your sanity, and how to keep brightness without constant scrubbing. We get practical about sealing schedules, pH-neutral cleaners, ventilation that keeps showers from breeding mildew, and the simple tools that clean without stripping protection.
For those already battling cracks or stains, we outline clear repair steps: cut and remove damaged sections safely, test color dry, use epoxy patch kits for seamless blends, and log your work so you know when to reseal or revisit. Along the way, we share quick wins—entry mats, shoe-off habits, shower filters in hard-water areas—that add up to years of sharper lines and cleaner tile. Subscribe, share this with a friend planning a remodel, and leave a review with your toughest grout question so we can help you solve it on a future show.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
BELKY (00:04):
Do you have to seal style?
How much are the styles for thefive from a file?
How hard is it to make thesestuff?
We have answers.
Welcome to the BELK Tilepodcast.
The bathroom.
The backsplash.
(00:25):
How to improve your home stylewith tiles.
To make your home absolutelybeautiful.
Welcome to the Belk TilePodcast.
Here's your host, Mike Belk.
Mike (00:43):
Hey everyone, welcome back to the Belk Tile Podcast.
I'm Mike Belk, your residenttile guy, and I've got Abby with
me here.
How are you doing today, Abby?
Abby (00:51):
Hey Mike, hey listeners.
I'm good and pretty excited.
Today's topic is one I swearcomes up in every consult: grout
problems, and honestly, nothingwrecks a gorgeous tile install
faster.
Mike (01:01):
Yeah, for sure.
So to kick things off, I wantto share a story from the Belk
Tile files.
New homeowners had a floordone, looked amazing at first,
but the grout started crumblinglike within maybe three weeks.
Every time they swept, morelittle chunks showed up.
Nightmare situation for anyone,right?
Abby (01:16):
Oh, I've seen that.
And people always think it'sjust the grout, but it's way
more layered.
You want to walk us throughwhat was going on with that
install?
Mike (01:23):
Absolutely.
So for this one, the realculprit ended up being the
subfloor.
It wasn't stable, had someflex.
So every time you'd walkacross, those tiny movements
stressed the grout.
And then turns out the mix wasa bit off.
Too much water, so when itdried, it literally shrank and
left cracks.
Textbook example of multiplelittle issues piling up.
Abby (01:42):
I think people underestimate how key that
subfloor is.
I mean, if there's even alittle flex or movement, the
grout is always going to lose.
Tile might survive, but groutwill crack.
And there's also mixing andapplication, right?
Too much water or the wrongadditive, like you said, and it
just fails.
Mike (01:58):
Exactly.
Add in wrong grout choice, sayusing sanded in a tiny joint or
the opposite, you end up withweak points all over.
And beyond cracking, there'sthe classic stains.
Cementious grout, especially,that stuff's like a sponge, just
loves to soak up anything.
Oil, dirt, you name it.
Suddenly you've got dark spotsor that orange ring in the
shower.
Abby (02:17):
Mold and mildew, too.
I see that one in almost everybathroom redo.
If you skip sealing or there'sno ventilation, water hangs
around and boom, gross grout inno time at all.
It's such a simple step to sealit and yet so easy to forget.
Mike (02:31):
And the thing is, even great grout can fail if it's not
matched right for the job.
There's sanded, unsanded,epoxy, all of them have a place.
Get it wrong and it'll let youknow, just not in a nice way.
Abby (02:40):
Which is why we always say grout isn't an afterthought.
We'll get into picking theright type in a sec, but
seriously, if you nail the prepand choices now, you'll save so
many headaches later on.
That's okay, that's the longrant, but it's true.
Mike (02:53):
Alright, so let's dig into picking your grout.
For homeowners, this is wherethings get, well, overwhelming.
Most folks just want to matchthe color and move on, but
there's a ton of actualchemistry behind it.
You've got cementitious, epoxy,and then newer urethane grouts.
They're all a little different.
Abby (03:10):
Yep, cementitious, that's your traditional grout.
Great budget choice, but superporous, so stains and water get
in unless you seal it well.
You can add a sealant to themix or do it after, but either
way, maintenance isnon-negotiable.
Mike (03:22):
And a lot of the time people think grouts grout,
right?
Big nope, epoxy is thistwo-part system, not porous, so
it's pretty much stain-proof andwater resistant.
I gotta warn though, it's notexactly DIY friendly.
It'll set up fast and you'vegot to work clean, otherwise
you're calling us to remove hazefrom the tiles.
Abby (03:38):
And then there's urethane grout.
Not as common, but I actuallyused it in a kitchen last year.
It's a nice balance, stainresistant, not as tough to use
as epoxy, and it doesn't needsealing.
More pricey up front, but ifcleaning's a sore spot, it's
totally worth it.
Mike (03:52):
So to your point, if you're using white or pale
grout, especially in a kitchenor bath, you're gonna notice
every speck of dirt.
Lighter shades just demand moreattention, shows stains, shows
wear.
You almost always have to upyour maintenance game, or you're
stuck with dingy lines fast.
Abby (04:07):
That's actually why I do lean towards epoxy if someone
insists on white grout,especially in a backsplash or
shower.
Like it's just so much easierto keep bright.
I had this client, a family offour, lots of cooking, tons of
traffic, they were tired ofscrubbing grout.
Epoxy fixed so many of theirheadaches, and honestly, the
price paid for itself by savingon cleaning products alone.
Mike (04:28):
One last thing to flag when to seal.
You've got to seal cement-basedgrout, no question, right after
it cures and reseal down theroad.
Epoxy and urethane, generallynot needed.
If in doubt, check themanufacturer's info.
And the color.
Can't say it enough if you wantto avoid endless touch-ups,
maybe compromise on thatbrilliant white and go just a
shade darker.
Abby (04:47):
Just a shade, but still light enough to make those tiles
pop.
It's all about balance andknowing how much time you
actually want to spend cleaninggrout over the next 10 years.
Mike (04:56):
So you've picked your grout, installed it right, now
comes the marathon, care andfixes.
This is where most DI wireskind of freeze up, but it's not
as scary as it sounds, right?
Abby (05:06):
Totally.
First, regular cleaning, sweepor vacuum, especially on the
floor.
Dirt's the enemy, and thesooner you clean up spills, the
less time they have to leavemarks.
Big one.
Avoid harsh chemicals.
I see so many people reach forvinegar or bleach thinking it'll
fix everything.
But honestly, vinegar canactually break down sealer on
cement grout over time, makingit even more absorbent and prone
(05:29):
to stains.
Mike (05:30):
Yeah, and if you do go for something like vinegar, do it
diluted and sparingly, and neverafter you've just bleached.
It's a bad combo, createsfumes.
For tough jobs, use a nylonbristled grout brush.
Don't use a wire brush, you'lljust strip the seal.
Abby (05:44):
And resealing can't skip it.
For cement grout, reseal everyone to two years, depending on
how much traffic you get.
DIY sealant kits are everywherenow, and most aren't hard to
use, but don't skimp on prep.
Clean the grout thoroughly, letit dry, then seal.
Otherwise, you're trapping dirtunder that fresh seal.
Mike (06:02):
If you're seeing a small crack or stain, grout pens or
stain dyes can buy you time,especially if you're prepping
for company and not ready toregrout the whole area.
But if you've got big cracks,loose chunks, or mold, it's
better to remove and regroutthat spot.
Sometimes you have to dig outthe old, get right to the root,
and start fresh.
Abby (06:21):
Had a client with a shower wall covered in chemical
stains.
Somebody had been using reallyharsh cleaners.
We cleaned it up, let it dry,and resealed it.
The before and after, night andday.
And what was wild is just howquickly you can turn grout
around with a little focusedeffort and the right products.
Mike (06:37):
Bottom line, maintenance doesn't have to be a chore, but
you do need a plan.
Think of grout like your teeth,brush, and checkups make all
the difference in the long run.
Abby (06:44):
Yeah, and if something looks off, don't wait.
Small fixes now are way moremanageable than major rehab
projects later.
Your future self will thankyou, promise.
Mike (06:53):
Let's talk prevention, because honestly, if you catch
stuff early, you save a lot oftime and money.
Give your grout the sameattention you'd give, I don't
know, a car or your favoritesneakers.
Regular inspection is superunderrated.
Just look for cracks, chips, orweird discoloration when you're
cleaning, spot stuff before itsnowballs.
Abby (07:12):
Yes, and make a routine.
Clean with pH neutral cleaners,sweep up and plan on resealing
cement grout every one to twoyears.
People think grout's done onceit's in the wall or floor, but
really it's more like ahouseplant.
Needs a bit of love to stayhealthy.
Mike (07:27):
And if you're dealing with places like bathrooms or
kitchens, ventilation is a hugedeal.
We see it a lot.
Showers with no exhaust fan orfolks never opening a window.
If you want to keep mold away,you gotta keep it dry, run the
fan, crack the window, even mopup any standing water after
using the shower.
Abby (07:44):
And little lifestyle tweaks help too, like mats at
entries or even taking shoes offinside if you've got white or
light grout.
Every bit of prevention addsup.
And if you live somewhere humidor your water has lots of
minerals, even getting a waterfilter for the shower can make a
difference in keeping groutbright.
Mike (08:01):
Totally agree.
And educate everyone in thehouse, especially the kids,
about what can and can't go onthe tile and grout.
That means no rollerbladingacross the kitchen, okay?
Or uh at least not withoutwarning.
Abby (08:13):
Ha, exactly.
The better the routine, thelonger your grout will last, and
the less worry you'll have.
Prevention really is the secretto keeping tile looking sharp
for years.
Mike (08:22):
If you've already got a mess on your hands, don't panic.
Advanced repairs soundintimidating, but they're doable
with the right approach.
For busted grout, the firststep is carefully removing the
damaged spots.
A grout saw is your best friendhere.
Take your time, don't rush, oryou'll chip the edges of your
tile.
Abby (08:40):
And make sure you go deep enough to remove all the crumbly
stuff, but not so far you'regouging the back of the tile.
Once you vacuum out the debris,you're ready to pack in new
grout matching the color andtype.
Sometimes you have to test theshade.
You'd be amazed how colors drydifferently than they look wet.
Mike (08:55):
For really finicky fixes like blending repairs into old
grout lines, there are patchkits that use epoxy for spot
repairs or color matching dyesso the new blends right in.
It's not magic, but withpatience you can get darn close
to invisible repairs.
And after new grout dries,always seal if your product
needs it.
Abby (09:13):
And, here's a designer angle.
Document what you've done, keepa little log, what repairs you
made, when, what sealant youused.
That way you know when it'stime for your next inspection
and you're never guessing orredoing work needlessly.
Mike (09:27):
That's a great tip.
Plus, if you hand off thehouse, the next owner will thank
you for the info.
Advanced repairs don't have tobe daunting, just take it step
by step and know when it's timeto call a pro if it's widespread
or you're not comfortable.
Follow a system and you'll keepthose tiles and grout lines
looking new a whole lot longer.
Abby (09:44):
And I think that's a wrap for today.
Bottom line, the grout makesthe tile pop.
Don't treat it as anafterthought.
Choose the right type, seal it,and keep an eye on it.
Spend an extra hour makingthose decisions now, and you'll
save yourself years of hassledown the road.
Mike (09:58):
Couldn't say it better myself, Abby.
All right, folks, thanks fortuning in to Belk Tile Podcast.
We'll catch you in the nextepisode.
Maybe a little less grout talk,but always more tile wisdom.
Abby, take care.
Abby (10:09):
You too, Mike.
Bye everyone.
See you next time.
And don't forget to love yourgrout just a little bit more
today.
BELKY (10:16):
You've been listening to the Belk Tile Podcast.
When it comes to creating abeautiful home using tile, this
is the podcast for productdesign ideas.
And today, we hope we've gotsome useful practical
information from this guy andmoving back to it.
But in the meantime, reach outthe websites phone number at
(10:40):
614-543-8334.
Find us on Facebook and Twitterat BeltTiles.
Find on Instagram at BeltTiles.
Make sure to leave a rating andreview.
And if you have questions orcomments, reach out.
And we'll talk about it on thenext goal.
Till next time.
Do you have to seal style?
How much are the styles for thefive from a file?
How hard is it to make thesestuff?
We have answers.
Welcome to the BELK Tilepodcast.
The bathroom.
The backsplash.
(00:25):
How to improve your home stylewith tiles.
To make your home absolutelybeautiful.
Welcome to the Belk TilePodcast.
Here's your host, Mike Belk.
Mike (00:43):
Hey everyone, welcome back to the Belk Tile Podcast.
I'm Mike Belk, your residenttile guy, and I've got Abby with
me here.
How are you doing today, Abby?
Abby (00:51):
Hey Mike, hey listeners.
I'm good and pretty excited.
Today's topic is one I swearcomes up in every consult: grout
problems, and honestly, nothingwrecks a gorgeous tile install
faster.
Mike (01:01):
Yeah, for sure.
So to kick things off, I wantto share a story from the Belk
Tile files.
New homeowners had a floordone, looked amazing at first,
but the grout started crumblinglike within maybe three weeks.
Every time they swept, morelittle chunks showed up.
Nightmare situation for anyone,right?
Abby (01:16):
Oh, I've seen that.
And people always think it'sjust the grout, but it's way
more layered.
You want to walk us throughwhat was going on with that
install?
Mike (01:23):
Absolutely.
So for this one, the realculprit ended up being the
subfloor.
It wasn't stable, had someflex.
So every time you'd walkacross, those tiny movements
stressed the grout.
And then turns out the mix wasa bit off.
Too much water, so when itdried, it literally shrank and
left cracks.
Textbook example of multiplelittle issues piling up.
Abby (01:42):
I think people underestimate how key that
subfloor is.
I mean, if there's even alittle flex or movement, the
grout is always going to lose.
Tile might survive, but groutwill crack.
And there's also mixing andapplication, right?
Too much water or the wrongadditive, like you said, and it
just fails.
Mike (01:58):
Exactly.
Add in wrong grout choice, sayusing sanded in a tiny joint or
the opposite, you end up withweak points all over.
And beyond cracking, there'sthe classic stains.
Cementious grout, especially,that stuff's like a sponge, just
loves to soak up anything.
Oil, dirt, you name it.
Suddenly you've got dark spotsor that orange ring in the
shower.
Abby (02:17):
Mold and mildew, too.
I see that one in almost everybathroom redo.
If you skip sealing or there'sno ventilation, water hangs
around and boom, gross grout inno time at all.
It's such a simple step to sealit and yet so easy to forget.
Mike (02:31):
And the thing is, even great grout can fail if it's not
matched right for the job.
There's sanded, unsanded,epoxy, all of them have a place.
Get it wrong and it'll let youknow, just not in a nice way.
Abby (02:40):
Which is why we always say grout isn't an afterthought.
We'll get into picking theright type in a sec, but
seriously, if you nail the prepand choices now, you'll save so
many headaches later on.
That's okay, that's the longrant, but it's true.
Mike (02:53):
Alright, so let's dig into picking your grout.
For homeowners, this is wherethings get, well, overwhelming.
Most folks just want to matchthe color and move on, but
there's a ton of actualchemistry behind it.
You've got cementitious, epoxy,and then newer urethane grouts.
They're all a little different.
Abby (03:10):
Yep, cementitious, that's your traditional grout.
Great budget choice, but superporous, so stains and water get
in unless you seal it well.
You can add a sealant to themix or do it after, but either
way, maintenance isnon-negotiable.
Mike (03:22):
And a lot of the time people think grouts grout,
right?
Big nope, epoxy is thistwo-part system, not porous, so
it's pretty much stain-proof andwater resistant.
I gotta warn though, it's notexactly DIY friendly.
It'll set up fast and you'vegot to work clean, otherwise
you're calling us to remove hazefrom the tiles.
Abby (03:38):
And then there's urethane grout.
Not as common, but I actuallyused it in a kitchen last year.
It's a nice balance, stainresistant, not as tough to use
as epoxy, and it doesn't needsealing.
More pricey up front, but ifcleaning's a sore spot, it's
totally worth it.
Mike (03:52):
So to your point, if you're using white or pale
grout, especially in a kitchenor bath, you're gonna notice
every speck of dirt.
Lighter shades just demand moreattention, shows stains, shows
wear.
You almost always have to upyour maintenance game, or you're
stuck with dingy lines fast.
Abby (04:07):
That's actually why I do lean towards epoxy if someone
insists on white grout,especially in a backsplash or
shower.
Like it's just so much easierto keep bright.
I had this client, a family offour, lots of cooking, tons of
traffic, they were tired ofscrubbing grout.
Epoxy fixed so many of theirheadaches, and honestly, the
price paid for itself by savingon cleaning products alone.
Mike (04:28):
One last thing to flag when to seal.
You've got to seal cement-basedgrout, no question, right after
it cures and reseal down theroad.
Epoxy and urethane, generallynot needed.
If in doubt, check themanufacturer's info.
And the color.
Can't say it enough if you wantto avoid endless touch-ups,
maybe compromise on thatbrilliant white and go just a
shade darker.
Abby (04:47):
Just a shade, but still light enough to make those tiles
pop.
It's all about balance andknowing how much time you
actually want to spend cleaninggrout over the next 10 years.
Mike (04:56):
So you've picked your grout, installed it right, now
comes the marathon, care andfixes.
This is where most DI wireskind of freeze up, but it's not
as scary as it sounds, right?
Abby (05:06):
Totally.
First, regular cleaning, sweepor vacuum, especially on the
floor.
Dirt's the enemy, and thesooner you clean up spills, the
less time they have to leavemarks.
Big one.
Avoid harsh chemicals.
I see so many people reach forvinegar or bleach thinking it'll
fix everything.
But honestly, vinegar canactually break down sealer on
cement grout over time, makingit even more absorbent and prone
(05:29):
to stains.
Mike (05:30):
Yeah, and if you do go for something like vinegar, do it
diluted and sparingly, and neverafter you've just bleached.
It's a bad combo, createsfumes.
For tough jobs, use a nylonbristled grout brush.
Don't use a wire brush, you'lljust strip the seal.
Abby (05:44):
And resealing can't skip it.
For cement grout, reseal everyone to two years, depending on
how much traffic you get.
DIY sealant kits are everywherenow, and most aren't hard to
use, but don't skimp on prep.
Clean the grout thoroughly, letit dry, then seal.
Otherwise, you're trapping dirtunder that fresh seal.
Mike (06:02):
If you're seeing a small crack or stain, grout pens or
stain dyes can buy you time,especially if you're prepping
for company and not ready toregrout the whole area.
But if you've got big cracks,loose chunks, or mold, it's
better to remove and regroutthat spot.
Sometimes you have to dig outthe old, get right to the root,
and start fresh.
Abby (06:21):
Had a client with a shower wall covered in chemical
stains.
Somebody had been using reallyharsh cleaners.
We cleaned it up, let it dry,and resealed it.
The before and after, night andday.
And what was wild is just howquickly you can turn grout
around with a little focusedeffort and the right products.
Mike (06:37):
Bottom line, maintenance doesn't have to be a chore, but
you do need a plan.
Think of grout like your teeth,brush, and checkups make all
the difference in the long run.
Abby (06:44):
Yeah, and if something looks off, don't wait.
Small fixes now are way moremanageable than major rehab
projects later.
Your future self will thankyou, promise.
Mike (06:53):
Let's talk prevention, because honestly, if you catch
stuff early, you save a lot oftime and money.
Give your grout the sameattention you'd give, I don't
know, a car or your favoritesneakers.
Regular inspection is superunderrated.
Just look for cracks, chips, orweird discoloration when you're
cleaning, spot stuff before itsnowballs.
Abby (07:12):
Yes, and make a routine.
Clean with pH neutral cleaners,sweep up and plan on resealing
cement grout every one to twoyears.
People think grout's done onceit's in the wall or floor, but
really it's more like ahouseplant.
Needs a bit of love to stayhealthy.
Mike (07:27):
And if you're dealing with places like bathrooms or
kitchens, ventilation is a hugedeal.
We see it a lot.
Showers with no exhaust fan orfolks never opening a window.
If you want to keep mold away,you gotta keep it dry, run the
fan, crack the window, even mopup any standing water after
using the shower.
Abby (07:44):
And little lifestyle tweaks help too, like mats at
entries or even taking shoes offinside if you've got white or
light grout.
Every bit of prevention addsup.
And if you live somewhere humidor your water has lots of
minerals, even getting a waterfilter for the shower can make a
difference in keeping groutbright.
Mike (08:01):
Totally agree.
And educate everyone in thehouse, especially the kids,
about what can and can't go onthe tile and grout.
That means no rollerbladingacross the kitchen, okay?
Or uh at least not withoutwarning.
Abby (08:13):
Ha, exactly.
The better the routine, thelonger your grout will last, and
the less worry you'll have.
Prevention really is the secretto keeping tile looking sharp
for years.
Mike (08:22):
If you've already got a mess on your hands, don't panic.
Advanced repairs soundintimidating, but they're doable
with the right approach.
For busted grout, the firststep is carefully removing the
damaged spots.
A grout saw is your best friendhere.
Take your time, don't rush, oryou'll chip the edges of your
tile.
Abby (08:40):
And make sure you go deep enough to remove all the crumbly
stuff, but not so far you'regouging the back of the tile.
Once you vacuum out the debris,you're ready to pack in new
grout matching the color andtype.
Sometimes you have to test theshade.
You'd be amazed how colors drydifferently than they look wet.
Mike (08:55):
For really finicky fixes like blending repairs into old
grout lines, there are patchkits that use epoxy for spot
repairs or color matching dyesso the new blends right in.
It's not magic, but withpatience you can get darn close
to invisible repairs.
And after new grout dries,always seal if your product
needs it.
Abby (09:13):
And, here's a designer angle.
Document what you've done, keepa little log, what repairs you
made, when, what sealant youused.
That way you know when it'stime for your next inspection
and you're never guessing orredoing work needlessly.
Mike (09:27):
That's a great tip.
Plus, if you hand off thehouse, the next owner will thank
you for the info.
Advanced repairs don't have tobe daunting, just take it step
by step and know when it's timeto call a pro if it's widespread
or you're not comfortable.
Follow a system and you'll keepthose tiles and grout lines
looking new a whole lot longer.
Abby (09:44):
And I think that's a wrap for today.
Bottom line, the grout makesthe tile pop.
Don't treat it as anafterthought.
Choose the right type, seal it,and keep an eye on it.
Spend an extra hour makingthose decisions now, and you'll
save yourself years of hassledown the road.
Mike (09:58):
Couldn't say it better myself, Abby.
All right, folks, thanks fortuning in to Belk Tile Podcast.
We'll catch you in the nextepisode.
Maybe a little less grout talk,but always more tile wisdom.
Abby, take care.
Abby (10:09):
You too, Mike.
Bye everyone.
See you next time.
And don't forget to love yourgrout just a little bit more
today.
BELKY (10:16):
You've been listening to the Belk Tile Podcast.
When it comes to creating abeautiful home using tile, this
is the podcast for productdesign ideas.
And today, we hope we've gotsome useful practical
information from this guy andmoving back to it.
But in the meantime, reach outthe websites phone number at
(10:40):
614-543-8334.
Find us on Facebook and Twitterat BeltTiles.
Find on Instagram at BeltTiles.
Make sure to leave a rating andreview.
And if you have questions orcomments, reach out.
And we'll talk about it on thenext goal.
Till next time.
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