Can Grout Get Moldy?

March 10, 2023

Mold grows in warm, damp areas where there is little to no circulation of air. Tiles and grout are susceptible to the formation of mold, especially in bathrooms, kitchens, and anywhere that supports the conditions we mentioned.


Basements, laundry rooms, and even around a swimming pool are other areas that might see the growth of mold. Seeing mold form on your tile grout is not at all uncommon. This is because tiles are often used in wet areas, and the porous nature of much of the grout used for tiles makes it particularly susceptible to mold.

Mold causes problems, both cosmetic and from a health-related standpoint. Mold also causes issues with the integrity of your home. Proper grout sealing when the grout is first installed and follow-up grout maintenance is the best way to prevent issues with mold.

Choosing the Right Grout for Your Tiles

When you decide to have tiles installed, choosing the right grout can go a long way toward preventing mold from developing. Cement-based grout has a porous composition and is prone to mold growth, as well as the absorption of dirt and contaminants that can make your grout look unsightly.


Epoxy grout is a popular choice among many homeowners and contractors these days because it is much less susceptible to these issues. That's because epoxy grout isn't porous and does not absorb water and dirt.

That doesn't mean epoxy grout is the answer to all of your problems. It still needs to be properly maintained to avoid some of the concerns that come with age and exposure, but using epoxy grout in your tile installations can reduce maintenance costs.

Unfortunately, homeowners aren't always the ones who have the tiles in their homes installed. When you buy a home, the tile might already be in place, and you have no way of knowing what type of grout was used or if it was installed and sealed properly. Dirty or moldy grout can often be found in a home you purchase.

Many homeowners who view homes with porous, moldy grout might even pass on buying a home because the grout causes such an unsightly appearance. That's the reason it's important to have the grout cleaned and repaired before you attempt to sell a home.

Issues with Mold on Grout

We have already mentioned some of the issues that come with moldy grout:

Cosmetic - Moldy grout just makes your tiles and the rest of the room look bad. From an aesthetic standpoint, moldy grout looks dirty and detracts from the appearance of your tiles. Once mold has begun to grow on your tile grout, cleaning it is difficult. You can't simply wipe it away or apply tile cleaners to remove it.


Health – Mold, especially black mold, can pose a threat to the health of your family. It can cause issues with breathing and can exacerbate asthma. Black mold is often "silent" because it can cause health issues without knowing it is the culprit.

Home Integrity – Grout that has extensive mold growth is likely to be chipping and falling away, which can cause tile installations to begin falling apart. Moldy grout in bathrooms, particularly around very moist areas, will begin to fall apart first. This often leads to water damage behind walls.

How to Clean Moldy Grout

Proper grout sealing, as we've already mentioned, can help keep your grout in good shape for longer. Combined with regular cleaning, you can keep mold away from your grout. Keeping good ventilation and air circulation in rooms that are prone to moisture can also reduce the risk of mold on your grout.

Still, mold grows quickly in the right conditions and you might see it on your tiles despite all of the steps you take to prevent it. When this happens, professional grout cleaning, grout repair, and grout sealing might be necessary.


Sir Grout is the answer when you have problems with moldy grout or grout that is beginning to lose its integrity. Sir Grout is respected by consumers and throughout the industry as leaders in hard surface restoration.

We have the tools and the expertise to keep your grout in great shape or to get it in great shape if it's already suffering from issues with mold, cracking, or dirt. We can handle any grout job, whether you need a simple cleaning, minor or major repairs, or mold and dirt removal. We clean dirty grout and fix grout that is crumbling and falling out.

Our experienced technicians are highly-trained and can provide the best grout sealing service for your home or business. Don't let dirty or moldy grout detract from the beauty of your tiles or pose a threat to the health of your family. Our grout sealing job will protect against future staining and will make the maintenance and cleaning of your grout easier.


We can also apply our exclusive ColorSeal, made from the highest quality ingredients. This product allows you to recolor, protect, and preserve your existing grout. Our superior grout sealing treatment stain-proofs grout so dirt and spills cannot soak in.

By protecting grout from future stains, a grout cleaning and grout sealing job is the ideal way to rejuvenate your bathroom or kitchen tiles. Our one-of-a-kind ColorSeal is great for counters, backsplashes, or anywhere you need your grout rejuvenated and a second lease on life.

Our professional techniques are designed to remove mold and dirt that has been embedded in grout. We can even touch up areas of your grout that have begun to lose integrity, helping you avoid costly repairs in the future.

Our technicians will never simply do a job and leave. They want you to get the most out of your new grout, so they always take the time to explain what they are doing and why.

They will also give you tips on how you can easily maintain your grout and keep it looking good. Our technicians are experts and are happy to share their knowledge with our customers. We are one of the best choices for grout cleaning services because we provide high-quality, cost-effective, and quick results that will exceed your expectations.

Click on the "Schedule a Free Quote" button on this page, or call us now for a free estimate at (773) 923-2084. Don't let mold threaten your health, your home's beauty, or its integrity.