The Dirty Secret About Epoxy Grout

The Grout Betrayal You Never Saw Coming

You specified epoxy grout for the parking garage project. The specs said "durable." The sales rep promised "permanent."

Then winter came.

Now you've got:
❄️ Spiderweb cracks everywhere
💧 New leaks where old ones were "fixed"
📞 The client screaming about warranty claims

Epoxy's Fatal Flaws

1. Brittle as Glass

   • 2% elongation before cracking (PU: 400%)

   • Fails when concrete breathes or shifts

2. Moisture-Sensitive

   • Won't cure properly in damp conditions

   • Bonds fail if substrate isn't perfectly dry

3. Thermal Weakness

   • Softens at 140°F (PU stays stable to 300°F)

Oil-Based PU: The Fix That Actually Lasts

✅ Bonds to wet surfaces - actually uses water to cure
✅ Flexes with temperature swings (-40°F to 300°F)
✅ Self-heals minor cracks through elastic memory

Cost Comparison That'll Shock You

The Takeaway

Stop paying twice for grout jobs. Oil-based PU costs more upfront but saves 50% long-term.