Sanded or Unsanded Tile Grout: Which One Should You Really Use? Have you ever finished a tiling project only to see cracked grout, washed-out joints, tile chipping, or black mold buildup after a short time? Many tile failures happen not because of the tiles—but because the wrong grout type was used. Using sanded grout on narrow joints can damage tiles, while using unsanded grout in heavy-traffic areas can lead to early wear, cracking, and grout loss. Choosing incorrectly can cost you repairs, re