Tile & Grout

[Omaha Red Sox]

I've been putting this off for a while, but I need to get this done. I tiled my kitchen, entryway, and bathroom last spring as some of you may remember. The grout in the kitchen quickly cracked and I had to painstakingly remove most of it and redo it.

So my first question is in regards to this regrouted job. Some, but to a much lesser scale, cracked again. Why is this? Is the floor beneath it unstable or something? Probably nothing I can do about that I suppose. It's concrete board underneath the tile that we put more than enough screws into so it should be solid.

Second question is in regards to the heavier trafficked areas of the tile in all 3 areas where I laid it. The grout became stained. I realize now that I should have sealed it which probably would have prevented both the staining and the cracking. Anyway, Knapp had suggested that I use bleach and that worked like a charm (he's good for something after all ). So this question has 2 parts:

1. For the cracked grout, I can remove this grout and regrout, wait 24 hours for it to dry, then immediately seal it.

2. For the stained, but not cracked grout, I can bleach it then immediately seal it.

Does that sound right? Anyone have much experience with this? Any advice would be appreciated. I'd like to close this chapter once and for all.

Also, our basement was carpeted last spring but we got some slight water damage and I removed all of the carpet down there (that sucked). My wife would love to put lament wood flooring down there, but I'm not so sure if this is a good idea with the possibility of more water damage. I do believe the water damage was due to clogged water drains which I'm going to either clean out more regularly or get those gutter helmet systems installed. Would the slightest bit of water damage lament wood flooring enough to justify not putting that in? And, if so, would tile be the way to go down there too? It's smooth concrete right now.

Any advice or suggestions on this topic would be greatly appreciated.

[Kilroy]

If memory serves Pergo makes a type of laminate flooring that's more water-resistant for use in kitchens, entryways, and such. I think it's called Pergo Kitchen, but I couldn't swear to it.

[Metroid]

If memory serves Pergo makes a type of laminate flooring that's more water-resistant for use in kitchens, entryways, and such. I think it's called Pergo Kitchen, but I couldn't swear to it.

Yeah they do but I wouldn't recommend using it anywhere where you might have even the possibility of flooding, its not worth the risk. If it was just a one time deal and you can prevent it from happening again then look into it.

[joelamosobadiah]

Easy and works like a charm.

[url=http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=146449-1168-9535&lpage=none]Precision
One-Step Grout Sealer[/url].

[Omaha Red Sox]

If memory serves Pergo makes a type of laminate flooring that's more water-resistant for use in kitchens, entryways, and such. I think it's called Pergo Kitchen, but I couldn't swear to it.

Yeah they do but I wouldn't recommend using it anywhere where you might have even the possibility of flooding, its not worth the risk. If it was just a one time deal and you can prevent it from happening again then look into it.

Got a little water in the basement today. quote="joelamosobadiah"]top the last couple days and I haven't had time to get the fall leaves out of the gutters so I think that's the reason.

Easy and works like a charm.

[url=http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=146449-1168-9535&lpage=none]Precision
One-Step Grout Sealer[/url].

Have you tried this stuff? It certainly looks a lot easier than the alternatives I've seen and we'll be out of here in about 2-3 years.

[joelamosobadiah]

Easy and works like a charm.

[url=http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=146449-1168-9535&lpage=none]Precision
One-Step Grout Sealer[/url].

Have you tried this stuff? It certainly looks a lot easier than the alternatives I've seen and we'll be out of here in about 2-3 years.[/quote]

Yeah, I guy I worked with used it so I haven't seen its long-term effects, but I will ask him at church this morning what he thinks of the stuff, but he does very quality work and that's what he uses. It's really easy to use.

[SeaWolf]

If memory serves Pergo makes a type of laminate flooring that's more water-resistant for use in kitchens, entryways, and such. I think it's called Pergo Kitchen, but I couldn't swear to it.

Yeah they do but I wouldn't recommend using it anywhere where you might have even the possibility of flooding, its not worth the risk. If it was just a one time deal and you can prevent it from happening again then look into it.

We put Pergo in our new home. . Any water on it is bad. Where is the Pergo flooring. Bathroom and Kitchen. Anytime liquid is spilled it's like an emergency in this house. WSe even have two boys. One is in diapers, and the other can't aim.

[Omaha Red Sox]

Easy and works like a charm.

[url=http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=146449-1168-9535&lpage=none]Precision
One-Step Grout Sealer[/url].

Have you tried this stuff? It certainly looks a lot easier than the alternatives I've seen and we'll be out of here in about 2-3 years.

Yeah, I guy I worked with used it so I haven't seen its long-term effects, but I will ask him at church this morning what he thinks of the stuff, but he does very quality work and that's what he uses. It's really easy to use.

One other question regarding this particular sealant; does it protect against cracking like other sealants?

[joelamosobadiah]

Easy and works like a charm.

[url=http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=146449-1168-9535&lpage=none]Precision
One-Step Grout Sealer[/url].

Have you tried this stuff? It certainly looks a lot easier than the alternatives I've seen and we'll be out of here in about 2-3 years.

Yeah, I guy I worked with used it so I haven't seen its long-term effects, but I will ask him at church this morning what he thinks of the stuff, but he does very quality work and that's what he uses. It's really easy to use.

One other question regarding this particular sealant; does it protect against cracking like other sealants?

It's made to lock out moisture, so it keeps it from mildew/stains, but I don't know about cracking.

[bagobonez]

I bet it's what's underneath your tile and grout, not the grout itself. What size of concrete board did you use or did you use any at all?