Grout Fine hairline cracks in grout - advice please

Shishi · May 8, 2020

Hiya,

Just looking for a bit of advice. We had the area around our bath retiled 6 months ago and have recently noticed some hairline cracks in the grout. Haven’t found any images online with similar cracks.

It’s only on a few tiles but naturally I am worried that there is an issue with the installation. I’ve been in touch with the fitter but no response as of yet.

Please see attached images. Do you think this is common? What could possibly be the reason (no hollow sounds when we tap the tiles)? Could it be overlapping grout that makes it appear cracked?

Thanks in advance for the help.

Deleted member 54066 · May 8, 2020

Could be so, so many reasons
I need a lot more info to help.
What is the substrate?
What adhesive was used?
What grout was used?

Shishi · May 8, 2020

Hiya,

Thanks for your reply.

The substrate is bonding which he added cement to which he said makes it dry quicker.

Mapei rapid set tub adhesive was used and bostik j100 smooth finish grout.

The original job was to take previous bonding off and aquapanel but he took a third of it off and said it was stuck on and taking the rest would damage the brick underneath which is why he bonded.

Deleted member 54066 · May 8, 2020

Can't tile to bonding, there's your problem. don't know the adhesive sorry

Tony_C · May 8, 2020

Doesn't look like cracks to me, just looks like how it's been washed down. Slightly uneven

Shishi · May 8, 2020

Tony_C said:
Doesn't look like cracks to me, just looks like how it's been washed down. Slightly uneven

Hi Tony,

We did think it might be some over lapping but I’m noticing more at time goes on.

Do you think it is the same issue with the below picture?

Tony_C · May 8, 2020

From that image it still looks the same. Try sanding it back a little if you have some fine sand paper

Shishi · May 8, 2020

Tony_C said:
From that image it still looks the same. Try sanding it back a little if you have some fine sand paper

Thanks Tony, I’ll try that. Hopefully the issue will be resolved!

Deleted member 54066 · May 8, 2020

Stick a Stanley blade in the cracks, will it go in?

Andy Allen · May 9, 2020

can you actually get a rapid setting tubbed adhesive??

Albert · May 9, 2020

Andy Allen said:
can you actually get a rapid setting tubbed adhesive??

I think B+Q did one years ago it took days to go off
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The cracks look a bit like shrinkage

Ajax123 · May 10, 2020

Andy Allen said:
can you actually get a rapid setting tubbed adhesive??

I suppose if it's on bonding the suction will dry it out very fast...

Grout Fine hairline cracks in grout - advice please

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