- Tile is grouted (and grout exists) for one reason only. To keep water from reaching the back of the tile. Mortars and thinsets that adhere the tile to whatever substrate is a hand have to be protected from water intrusion.
- The easiest way for water to penetrate is on the edge.
- Grout color comes from pigments added during the manufacturing process. These color can be easily washed out during a flood. They are often washed out by improper mixing during the instillation process.
- Ceramic & porcelain tiles are not porous. Stone tiles are. Absorbency in stone varies.
- Ceramic & porcelain are typically grouted with sanded grout. Stone tile is typically grouted with nonsanded grout. This usually depends on installer/customer preferences regarding grout joint width. Grout joint thickness is critical in restoration.
- As is true in all water damage restoration projects, success is proportional to the timing of the initial response.
From the CTaSC website:
"Floor covering categories market share in dollars are Carpet & Areas Rugs 57.9%, Ceramic Floor & Wall Tile 11.3%, Stone 5.0%, Hardwood 9.7%, Vinyl Sheet, Tile & Linoleum 10.1%, Laminates 5.2%, and Rubber 0.8%". Further, "the installed '08 volume of ceramic tile was 2 billion square feet. Stone would represent a smaller figure due to higher product cost."
Relating this to water damage restoration is really quite simple then. Find a way to save the tiles and you find a way to save money. Customers are also able to avoid substantial inconvenience of having tiles broken out and replaced.
Grout Cleaning
