How Long To Warranty Grout In A Shower Wall Application

hkcon

Hey everybody, I have been doing tile work, (small jobs, floors and walls in bathrooms and kitchens) for around 5 years now, and on a job I did around 4 years ago the client has called me and wants me to warranty the grout as it is cracking and she says is causing a leak down below in the kitchen. I haven't returned her call yet, as I am inclined to say no but I wanted to hear what you all thought about it. I would love to get a consensus on this. I am in Northern Ca. bay area by the way.

Floordude

Grout does not prevent water from seeping. It is what was done before the tiles, that keeps water in the shower stall, not the grout.

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PrecisionFloors

Yup, you have way bigger problems than grout. So....what does your contract say about your warranty?? (you do have one right?) What does the republic of California's laws state concerning warranty period for work performed??

I'd be willing to bet that this installation will need a tear-out and re-do to fix, as do most leaky showers. By the time there's evidence of a leak downstairs, it's a good chance the damage is much greater than can be seen. Also keep in mind that it could be a leaky pipe or plumbing fixture. I would have a contract this time that covers you for ALL work done in that circumstance....It would suck to tear out a good shower for free to fix a pipe

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Bud Cline

Warrantees against cracking grout can't go on endlessly. Too many structural issues can arise that could cause grout to crack. A little crack in some grout shouldn't mean a leak anyway. Grout is not at all waterproof.

Go see what the leak is all about. It may not even be your problem if it is coming from inside the walls. If the shower envelope its self is leaking then I'd say you have a problem. A shower should last beyond four years.

hkcon

ty everybody,
I will go over there and take a look, I feel more confident about it now. She e-mailed me and told me that the ceiling is open under neath and the framing is all wet. I have a bad feeling she had a plumbing leak, got it reparied and is now going to try and get the rest done for free by blaming it on the grout issue. I absolutely prepped the job correctly with 30 lb felt behind durock and it was lapped down on the shower pan, that is why I asked the question about the grout. Thanks again for your help and I am glad I found this site. I hope to talk to you guys again.

rsss396375

That's a tough one because the water could be coming from a few places. Some of the obvious concerns would be drain, hot and cold water lines, exterior water (winter only). I don't think a cracking grout would cause enough water to come through a ceiling, just not enough soak time in a shower. (I assume a shower) If the water only can be traced back to when the shower is activly being used, I would lean heavily to a leaking p-trap or waste line connection. I would begin by tearing the drywall out in the kitchen and running the water. If any of your findings reveal that it was not your fault, then the owner "shall" pay all costs for your work or any further costs incurred by another.
Ask her if there has been any further construction near your tile job in the past 4 year period.
Now that I think about it, you may want to replace any bad grout and see if that helps. If not, then go the drywall. May be the cheapest to start.