Cracked grout is more than a cosmetic problem. Once grout cracks, water gets in, dirt and mold collect, and tiles can start to loosen. The good news is most cracked grout can be fixed without retiling. The key is figuring out why it cracked, so the fix actually lasts.
What Causes Grout to Crack?
- Grout in the corners: corners and changes of plane (where a wall meets a floor or another wall) move as your house expands and contracts. They should be caulked, not grouted. Grout there will always crack.
- House settling and movement: normal movement in floors and walls puts stress on rigid grout lines.
- No anti-fracture membrane: without one under the tile, small movements in the subfloor transfer straight into the grout and tile.
- Grout mixed wrong: too much water makes weak grout that shrinks and cracks as it dries.
- The wrong grout for the job: unsanded grout in wide joints, or regular grout on a shower floor that’s constantly wet.
- Age and moisture: unsealed grout soaks up water and breaks down over time, especially in showers.
How to Fix Cracked Grout
Small cracks and missing spots
If only a few spots are cracked, the damaged grout can be cut out and patched. We do this as part of our grout cleaning and sealing and our Shower Refresh, so small repairs don’t cost extra.
Cracked corners
Cut out the grout in the corner and replace it with flexible caulk, matched to your grout color. That’s the permanent fix, because caulk can move with the house and grout can’t.
Cracking all over
If cracks run through most of the floor or shower, the grout needs to be removed and replaced. On shower floors we regrout with Laticrete SpectraLOCK PRO epoxy grout, which is waterproof and stain-proof once cured.
Cracks running through the tile too
If tiles are cracking along with the grout, the problem is underneath: a flexing subfloor or a missing anti-fracture membrane. Regrouting won’t fix that. The tile needs to be reinstalled correctly.
Can I Just Put New Grout Over the Cracks?
No. New grout smeared over cracked grout is too thin to bond and will flake out within months. The old grout has to be removed first. Read more in Can You Regrout Over Old Grout?
How to Keep Grout From Cracking
- Make sure every corner and change of plane is caulked, not grouted
- Seal cement grout, or upgrade to a color seal for long-lasting protection
- Use epoxy grout on shower floors
- Fix small cracks early before water gets behind them
How Much Does It Cost to Fix Cracked Grout?
It depends on how much grout is cracked and where. Here’s what most jobs run:
- A few cracked spots on a floor: patched as part of grout cleaning and sealing, which starts around $200 for a bathroom floor. No extra charge for small repairs.
- Cracked shower corners: recaulking starts around $200.
- Cracked grout and corners throughout a shower: a Shower Refresh, which includes patching cracked grout, recaulking every corner and sealing, starts at $650.
- Shower floor cracked all over: epoxy regrouting with Laticrete SpectraLOCK PRO starts around $950.
- Tile cracking along with the grout: the tile needs to be reinstalled, so it’s quoted after we see it.
Every quote is free. Call or text (708) 582-6904.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is cracked grout a big deal?
It can be. Cracks let water reach behind the tile, which leads to mold, loose tiles and bigger repairs. Fixing it early is much cheaper.
Why does the grout in my shower corners keep cracking?
Because corners move. They should be caulked instead of grouted. Once they’re caulked, the cracking stops.
Can cracked grout cause a shower leak into the ceiling?
Not usually. Grout and caulk are only the first lines of defense. Water leaking into the ceiling below almost always means the shower’s liner or waterproofing has failed, which needs a shower base or shower rebuild.
Should I seal my grout after it’s repaired?
Yes. Sealing or color sealing protects the new grout from water and stains so it lasts much longer.
Get Your Cracked Grout Fixed
Prestige Grout has been repairing grout across Chicagoland since 2012. See our regrouting and recaulking services and Shower Refresh, or call or text (708) 582-6904 for a free quote.
