"Grout isn't technically waterproof; it's porous, so water can slowly seep through if there's any cracking or deterioration."
Exactly. I've seen plenty of showers that looked fine on the surface but were secretly plotting their revenge behind the tiles... sneaky leaks are the worst. Had a client once whose "perfectly good" shower suddenly turned their dining room ceiling into abstract art. Membranes might feel like overkill, but trust me, they're cheaper than surprise renovations.
Yeah, that's exactly why I'm second-guessing skipping the membrane in my bathroom reno. I mean, grout looks solid enough, but if water's sneaking through tiny cracks... maybe better safe than sorry? I'd rather not find out the hard way.
"grout looks solid enough, but if water's sneaking through tiny cracks... maybe better safe than sorry?"
Honestly, grout alone isn't something I'd trust completely. I've seen bathrooms that looked pristine on the surface, but underneath... total nightmare. Had a client once who skipped waterproofing to save a bit of cash, and within a year, they were tearing out tiles and dealing with mold issues. Not fun.
Are you planning on using large-format tiles or smaller ones? Tile size and grout lines can make a difference in how quickly water finds its way through.
I totally agree about grout not being trustworthy on its own. When we redid our shower, I remember wondering if waterproofing was just an upsell, but honestly, after reading stories like yours...
"Had a client once who skipped waterproofing to save a bit of cash, and within a year, they were tearing out tiles and dealing with mold issues."
...I'm glad we didn't skip it. What about epoxy grout—doesn't that hold up better against water seepage? Or is it not worth the extra cost?
Epoxy grout definitely holds up better than regular grout, but honestly, I wouldn't rely on it alone. When we renovated our historic home's bathroom, we went with epoxy grout thinking it'd be bulletproof. It did help—less staining and easier cleaning—but water still finds its way through tiny cracks eventually. Waterproofing underneath is the real lifesaver. Like you said:
"Had a client once who skipped waterproofing to save a bit of cash, and within a year, they were tearing out tiles and dealing with mold issues."
Trust me, it's worth the extra peace of mind.
