Non-sanded grout coupled with successful application will help your grout last at least 15 to 20 years. However, this largely depends on how much attention you pay to its maintenance. If you don't care for your grout, then the product will naturally start to break down sooner.
Grout has a shelf life of about one year from day of manufacture if it's unopened and store correctly. Once it's opened it may be OK to use for several weeks or so. Again, it depends on how it's stored. Grout can be lump free for years and still be bad. Lumps are not the only symptom of bad grout or any cement product.
The presence of small, hard lumps or clumping means the grout may have started to mix with water vapor. Clumps or lumps mean the grout is bad or is going bad. But if the grout is powdery, like a bag of fresh flour, it is probably perfectly fine.
Shelf Life
Maximum of 18 months from date of manufacture in unopened package. Product good for 6 months after opening as long as bucket is re-sealed carefully and stored in a cool, dry, interior location and used within shelf life.
There are a number of factors that can cause cracks and issues in the grout. But if cared for properly, grout can last for up to twenty years.
Cracks, staining, and black mold are some of the signs that your old grout may need to be replaced, but with skilled professionals it can often be renewed.
The spaces between the tile are filled with grout which can degrade over time if not treated with care.
Cement grout should always be sealed upon installation. It should also be re-sealed on a regular basis. Most recommendations suggest re-sealing grout lines once a year. Depending on where the grout is, it might be necessary to do it more often.
It is highly recommended to remove your old and damaged grout before applying new grout. So, you are noticing that your grout seems to be separating, cracking, or crumbling? Often, when we look at what appear to be small issues with our home finishes, we jump to the Internet to search for repair solutions.
The best answer, in a word, is money. It costs more time and material to seal grout and there is little or no perceived benefit (until, of course, the grout gets stained or starts to crack). A superior product would cost more to purchase and install, again for no perceived benefit over the less costly unsealed grout.
There's no specific schedule on when to replace grout so you'll have to do a thorough inspection and look for signs of damage. Take a close look at the grout and check for cracks, gaps, and peeling in between the tiles.
Grout, which is the mixture of cement, sand, and water used to fill the gaps between tiles, is porous and can easily trap moisture. Grout is porous and readily absorbs water, making it an excellent breeding ground for mold.
The shelf life of grout once opened is typically 6 months, but this will vary depending on the brand and how it is stored.
Check the color and condition in some of the higher-traffic areas of the room. If you notice any chipping or cracking in the grout, it won't respond well to cleaning and will most likely just break apart if you try to clean it with any kind of physical force.
Incorrectly applied grout will be unserviceable and is likely to crack and fall out over time. Grout has a shelf life of about 12 months from the date of manufacture. After this time it is likely to go powdery and is unsuitable for use.
Start by sprinkling baking soda liberally along the grout lines. Use a brush to ensure that most of the baking soda covers the dirt and grime thoroughly. Then use a sprinkler bottle to sprinkle cleaning vinegar over the baking soda while taking special care to dampen the powder along the entire grout line.
ANSWER - You should not use a latex paint over your existing grout joints, because it won't provide adequate coverage over the existing color, nor will it last. There are special products called "Grout Colorants" made for painting over grout joints that are epoxy based.
Grout, the mixture of cement and additives such as silica and sand that fills the gaps between tiles and holds them in place, has a lifespan of about 25 years. But proper care and consideration can help extend that life and keep grout looking its best.
Grout and thinset mortar are types of concrete and should never be rinsed down drains.
To maintain pristine-looking grout, remember to remove spills promptly, change mop water frequently and clean grout joints regularly. Sealed grout can keep stains from developing and make cleaning easier, but routine cleaning is still a necessity to keep your grout looking its absolute best.
Epoxy grouts are the most durable of all grout choices because they are resistant to stains and water damage, and will hold up against harsh cleaners (please don't use harsh acidic cleaners on our tile!).
It's possible the grout was installed improperly, or that there are issues with substrate deflection (an industry term for the bending of the underlying surface), but either way, you should address it.
Yes new grout can be installed on old grout. Make sure the old grout is thoroughly cleaned and then wet before installation. I do this all the time. There is absolutely no need to start over and given the quality of the install you have had so far I would say that starting over might introduce more issues.