Regrouting bathroom tile looks like it would be a messy, imperfect, time-intensive process that just might end up cracking, splitting, and gouging your beautiful tile in the process.
Actually, regrouting bathroom tile is one of the dark secrets of home renovation: it's dead-simple. While there is the probability of damaging your existing tile, the probability is not very high. We'll show you how to avoid this.
In a Nutshell: How to Regrout Bathroom Tile
Remove existing grout and then add new grout to the open seams. That's the process.
One thing you definitely do not want to do is try to grout over existing grout. After all, when you look at tile grout, it does form a channel--and can't you just fill in that channel with more grout?
No. Old bathroom tile grout is no longer porous. Its porosity has been compromised by years of soap scum and possibly tile sealant. The best course of action is to rip out the old grout and replace it.
- Remove Old Tile Grout: Your best friend is any type of Dremel-type rotozip or oscillating power tool. These tools, along with some hand work, will completely rid your tile of all grout.
- Apply New Tile Grout: Mix dry grout (or use pre-mixed grout), apply with a trowel, squeeze into the seams, and remove excess grout with a rubber float.
Let's start and regrout your bathroom tile...
Regrout Bathroom Tile:Your Tools
You don't need special tools to remove grout. The most specialized tool would be the first one, but the remaining tools are ones you probably already have on hand:
- A rotary tool (such as a Dremel) or oscillating tool (such as the pictured Ridgid Jobmax).
- Safety glasses.
- Utility knife with dull blade.
- Small flat-head screwdriver.
- Shop vacuum.
Your grout application tools are:
- Several large buckets.
- Several sponges and rags.
- Ready source of clean, clear water.
- Grout in powder form.
- Grout float.
- Triangular trowel.
- Dust mask.
- Grout haze remover.
Using Power Tool To Remove Grout
A fine-tooth blade on your oscillating tool will remove the grout. Do not force the tool into the seam: let the tool do the work, and be patient.
Be careful of the tile edges--at this point--because if you force too hard, you can chip and nick those edges.
Remove More Grout With the Power Tool By Hitting Edges
Once you have removed as much grout as possible by holding the tool horizontally, it's time to gently angle the blade to remove more grout.
Do not linger on the edges or you will damage them.
Alternate Method: Manual Removal
Your power tool will not remove every trace of grout. Follow up and dislodge stubborn chunks of grout with a flat-head screwdriver or dull-bladed utility knife.
Frequently Vacuum Debris When Removing Tile Grout
Be sure to liberally use the shop vacuum during the grout removal process so you can see what you are doing.
And of course, you'll want to use it once again at the end to clean up your work site.
Now that the grout is removed, it's time to go to the next step and apply new grout.
Mix Up Batch of Tile Grout With Water
Now, with your seams completely free of old grout, it's time to apply new grout.
Mix dry grout and water in your buckets.
Video: How To Grout Tile
Apply New Grout To Tile With Trowel
Using your triangular trowel, liberally apply mixed grout to the tile surface.
Video: How To Grout Tile
With the rubber float, further squeeze grout into the seams, removing excess grout with the edge of the float.
Video: How To Grout Tile
With moistened sponges, remove excess grout. Be sure to thoroughly squeeze out the water from your sponge. Lightly stroke the sponge across the tile surface. Pressing too hard will pull grout out of the seam (you don't want this).
This is a slow process. Continue to clean out your sponges and move them across the tile surface until all grout is gone.
After the grout has dried, a haze will remain. Off-the-shelf haze removers are available which will take off the haze with little effort.
Video: How To Grout Tile