What are the things that you don't know about your home?
They are all the important things that you don't know are important until you need to know them. Now is that clear to everyone.
Did you ever notice cracks in you grout lines? If you did there is something going on that may be a problem. Grout is inflexible (like some people I know) and can crack if there is flex in the sub floor or even if there is too much glue or mortar under the tile. For this blog let's assume that there is exactly the right amount of glue or mortar under your tile, let's also assume that you have ceramic tile in the first place.
The space between two pieces of tile is filled with a material called grout. The most common type is made with crushed rock (much like cement) usually limestone. Grout is water resistant (once dried) and very inflexible. If the floor flexes at all then the grout will crack and permit water to pass through to the material underneath. This will rot the material and cause major needed repairs. Even on concrete the mortar or bonding agent used will deteriorate and the tiles will loosen and need repair.
All this sounds complicated and difficult, but all that the homeowner needs to remember is that if the grout lines crack then they must be repaired. Call a flooring professional for more information on what to do when this occurs. They can assist you in choosing the best way to repair the floor so that the damage is minimal.
Now, maybe you did know all that and if that is the case I apologize for repeating it. If you didn't then you now know something about your house you didn't know before.
Jack Gilleland
Home Inspection Services, Clayton
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