A tile contractor pointed out my grout lines were 1/8 inch too wide

He said water would pool in the wider gaps and cause mold within a year in a shower that gets daily use. Has anyone else had issues with standard 1/4 inch spacers causing problems on a wet wall?

3 comments

3 Comments

kai_burns7312d ago

Had the same thinking until I saw mold start creeping in on a buddy's shower that had wider grout lines. 1/8 inch is definitely the way to go for wet walls no question.

abbyp6112d ago

That's a tough spot to be in, especially with a fresh install. 1/4 inch gaps sound like they'd be a real hassle to keep clean in a wet area once moisture gets in there.

richard_young8012d ago

Man I gotta push back on this. 1/4 inch gaps aren't the end of the world if you do it right. Use a good sanded grout and seal it properly, moisture isn't gonna just wick up like magic. Some of the best looking showers I've seen have wider lines, gives it a more rustic tile look that 1/8 inch just can't pull off. Plus cleaning is a pain either way if you let soap scum build up, that's more about how often you scrub than the gap size.