At the end of the 18th century in Great Britain, the lace trade developed. It is a process whereby the mortar between brick and stone in buildings is partially removed and then a new grout is applied. It is a rare craft these days, but it is still a critical part of building maintenance and preservation. The process hasn’t changed over the centuries, though tools and science have. Artisans in the 18th century used wrought iron tools made by blacksmiths. Today, tools are made from hardened tool steel. Today’s formwork professionals also use pneumatic and power tools to grind mortar.
Much of America’s early architecture was inspired by the Europeans who began to build our cities. Many of these buildings are still in beautiful condition today due to proper maintenance. Stone and brick can last almost indefinitely; however, the mortar that holds them together is a different story. Grout can last 25 to 50 years. Depending on when the building was constructed, the materials used to make the grout can vary.
During the 19th century, the materials were generally obtained locally. Limestone and clay were the most widely used materials. Today, we have not only made progress in material variation, but our means of resource transportation have also become virtually limitless. Many cement manufacturers now use waste products such as fly ash from other industries as a means of environmental responsibility. Other abundant sources include shells, shale, silica sand, and iron ore. Again, the process is essentially the same, with the exception of the manufacturing scale and greater variation in filler materials.
The environment has the greatest effect on the life of a building’s grout. A building in a city that has large variations in temperature throughout the seasons, coupled with humidity, will probably not last as long as one in a dry, temperate climate. Since water expands when it freezes, any cracks or weakened spots in the grout will begin to deteriorate more quickly. As grout ages, it becomes more porous and will absorb water, leading to erosion and ultimately an unsafe situation.
There are a few ways to check the condition of your grout. First, a visual inspection is necessary. If there are visible cracks or signs of worn grout in the stone or brick joints, it might be time to call in a professional. Grout can also discolor and be a sign that repairs are needed. The condition of the grout can also be checked with a screwdriver. This can be done by scratching the grout. If the screwdriver leaves a scratch or produces dust, it’s probably time to get it repaired.
If your home is in need of a grout repair, it is important that you call in a professional craftsman to handle the grout. This is a highly specialized vessel and the integrity of the entire structure depends on the job being done correctly. When the work is completed, the building should look like new and the work should last for many years.