Thinset and grout - difference?

I'm no expert but if it looks good cosmetically it's probably OK. Both grout and ordinary thinset are mortar. Both are pervious to water unless sealed.

A possible problem is, with age mortars lose their ability to bond, and a year may push it. Maybe an expert will jump in to answer.

jim

Both are essentially portland cement plus sand. Thinset is hidden so it can employ the cheapest grey portland cement. White or colored grout uses white portland cement (more expensive than grey) so that it is either white, or can be tinted. Since grout is non-structural just about any cementitious base would suffice, unless you are looking for decreased water permeability.

The ancient craft used the same stuff for setting and grouting.

Your choice. You have to look at it.

Thinset that's over a year old? It'll probably fall out on it's own. Then you can get some 'fresh' GROUT and do it right.

The additive you used may help it last longer, however.

Thanks, I will leave it in and monitor it closely and see. One other unrelated question...since I had the dry thinset powder sitting idle for over a couple of years, does it "degrade" over time? Will it have less strength now versus when I bought it some time ago?

Thanks again,

MC

Good point. I don't know if the thinset powder might have lost strength over time. We shall see...

MC

Yes, especially if the humidity was high and the bag unsealed. If there's a lot at stake, test a small patch for setting time and pull-off strength.

It will be fine. I use thinset as a stucco patch replacement all the time outside and it is tough. I also use tile adhesive for grout now and then on thin joints. Tile adhesive makes a great stucco final coat. As long as it's not put on to thick. It shrinks and will crack if applied to thick. Rich

Not necessarily. The thinset I used recently is white portland. It's certainly more expensive, but is recommended for lighter colored tiles.

The stuff today seems different when mixed though. Maybe its the sand/portland ratio or some such. As you point out, grout is intended to be pretty, not structural.

Right, certain porous stone requires this to avoid discoloration.

If this thinkset mortar came with stucco it should be fine unless it rocked up.