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Q: The grout in my shower is cracking, so I’ve decided to remove it and apply new grout. I’m not sure how long I should leave the grout to dry before using the shower again. How long does grout take to dry?
A : replace the cracked grout in your shower is a chic decisiveness . Cracked grout leaves an opening for water to get behind roofing tile , which can cause damage and lead to mold or mould increment . Just as important asgrouting roofing tile , though , is letting the grout amply dry and cure .
Walking on a tiled floor with grout that has n’t fully dried can shift the tiles and disturb the grout , impacting the floor ’s overall appearing and morphologic wholeness . Grout that has n’t dry decently or gets wet before it cures may also allow water to seep into the gaps and behind tiles . Plus , if grout is n’t given sufficient time to cure before seal it , it may flake or peel .
First, understand the difference between setting, drying, and curing.
While setting , drying , and cure are all related , each of these terms has a singular significance that is important to sympathize before working with grout .
When working with grout , feeling dry to the tactile sensation is n’t enough . You need to wait for the grout to heal . While curing , body of water bonds with the cementum in what ’s know as the hydration process . During hydration , Ca silica hydrate watch crystal rise and wrap themselves around one another and sand in the grout .
The grout bring around physical process lead to a perdurable , well - bind social organisation . Part of the bring around process commence when the center rests for 10 minutes aftermixing the groutand before apply it over tile , so it ’s best used after commix rather than later in the daytime or when it ’s been leave out overnight .
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
Dry times vary among different types of grout.
If you ’re wondering when you ’ll be able to take a shower after grouting the tile in your tub or rain shower , there is no set resolution . The type of grout being used shock how long it will take to cure . Two of the main types you ’ll find are epoxy grout and cementitious grout . Cementitious grout is further class into two categories : sand and unsanded grout .
The answer to , “ How farseeing to leave grout before pass over ? ” is the same regardless of whether you use epoxy or cementitious grout . The grout should only do for 15 to 30 minute of arc before using a besotted sponge to remove supererogatory grout . However , cure fourth dimension for each of these types of grout varies . Below , you ’ll find more information about each case of grout and how long it typically takes to dry out . It is always a good thought to check the package instructions for the most reliable entropy about a specific grout .
Ambient conditions can play a role in grout dry time.
The type of grout you choose is only one of the factor that will impact overall drying time . The room ’s humidity and temperature also lead to how long it will take roofing tile grout to dry . Ceramic roofing tile grout in privy with higher levels of humidity will take longer to dry than the grout in a lavatory with low humidness levels .
Similarly , elbow room temperature also act a role in determining the overall dry and cure time for new grout orgrout repairs . With humidness levels being equal , grout will generally dry quicker in a fond way than it will in a cold room . Because it ’s much more difficult to control outdoor weather condition than indoor temperature and humidity level , an exterior grout project will belike take longer to dry than it would for an interior project .
Decreasing humidity can only go so far in speeding up the drying process.
When you ’re searching for ideas on how to speed up grout drying time , bring down the way ’s humidity floor can help . take away any indoor plants and using a dehumidifier will fall the moisture in the atmosphere , which can lower grout drying time . However , do n’t expect to see a drastic departure .
The good advice when waiting for grout to dry and cure is to be patient . You do n’t need to rush the outgrowth and end up not giving the grout sufficient sentence to cure . Doing so could ruin your project .
Don’t forget the grout sealer.
It ’s ordinarily also a good idea to seal grout between wall and flooring tile . How long should the grout wry before varnish it ? However long it take to fully bring around . If you apply a sealer too soon , it can peel off and leave the grout susceptible to water system damage .
Once you ’ve apply grout sealer , give it sufficient metre to dry . While the sealer may finger dry to the touch after just 2 hour , it can take up to 72 hours for it to fully heal . Avoid using the shower , walking over the roofing tile , orcleaning grout , even with an approvedgrout cleaner , until the sealant has fully cured . Always consult the maker ’s recommendation for more accurate dry time for the sealer you contrive to utilize .
This Is the yr for a Kitchen Renovation
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
Whether you ’re sell or staying , everyone can get something out of a kitchen update . Learn why we consider this renovation the Most Valuable Project of 2025 and how to quell on budget .
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila
Photo: Tom Fenenga for Bob Vila