How to Fix Holes in Shower Grout

A newly grouted and tiled shower looks terrific. But in time, signs of damage will begin to appear.

One common problem is holes in shower grout. This is likely to occur in the grout that hasn’t been properly sealed or has been neglected. The natural settling of the house can also cause holes to appear.

In these instances, moisture will get into the grout causing cracks and holes. Eventually, mold can get into these holes and cause a health hazard. Holes can also cause leaking which can lead to structural damage in the home.

It is for these reasons that you will want to take care of the holes as soon as possible. Fortunately, there are things you can do to seal up holes and get your shower looking its best. Here are some tips.

How Do You Fix Shower Grout Holes?

If the holes are small enough, you may be able to just dampen the grout and put new grout in for a quick patch. However, if the holes are larger, you will need to remove the grout and replace it with new grout. Here are the steps you will need to take.

Dig out grout between tiles with a sharp object. Remove the grout around the hole without damaging the tiles.
Remove all grout dust.
Use a grout float to add grout to the area that the grout has been removed from. Press the float into the joints at a 45-degree angle spreading the grout evenly between the joints. Go over the area in all directions to make sure it is well covered.
Remover excess grout.
Allow grout to set according to product directions.
If your grout is bad, there’s a good chance the caulking around the corners of the showers needs to be replaced as well. Even if the caulk looks good, it’s very possible that there may be mold or fungi beneath the surface that accumulated due to leaking. Therefore, you will want to strip the old caulk and apply a new layer.
Wipe the area clean and allow it to sit for 24 hours.

Note: Although it is possible to change out the grout yourself, if larger holes are appearing, it could be a sign of greater damage. That’s why it’s best to call in a professional. An expert will be able to replace your grout quickly and easily and let you know if any damage has been done to the structure of your shower wall.

Don’t let holes in your shower grout lead to greater damage in the structure of your home. The tips in this article will help you take care of this issue before it gets out of hand. What do you recommend for keeping your grout in tip-top shape?

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