Have you recently taken a close look at the tiles
in your shower? Did you notice that grout is missing around certain tiles or it is
discoloured? When the grout fails or becomes discoloured or stained, sometimes
it's necessary to completely remove the old grout and regrout your tile.
A before and after view |
Shower grout can fail for many reasons. Improper
initial installation or mixing of the grout can cause premature failure. Harsh
acid based cleaners can degrade grout over time. Tiles that are set too close
together can cause grout to “pop out”. Time in general can cause gout to fail.
It is vitally important to rectify this as soon as possible. Water that
migrates behind the tiles and into the wall can cause mold to form. Also – tiles will begin to loosen and possibly
fall off the wall.
Any time you
as a homeowner see grout that is missing you should have it repaired as soon as
possible. Follow the steps below and you will have your bathroom tile looking
fresh and new with little effort.
You will need the following tools to complete your
task:-
Grout saw Bag of grout Grout
float 5-gallon bucket
Water Sponges Rubber gloves Microfiber towels
Grout saw |
Remove the old grout:
To do it right you’re going to have to dig out all
your old grout. Use the grout saw to "saw" the old grout out of the
tile. Place the saw into the grout line and saw back and forth. Make sure to
remove as much grout as possible—at least two-thirds—because you want to ensure
that there is enough tile edge for the new grout to adhere to. When you're
finished removing the old grout, sweep or vacuum up any grout dust that
remains.
Mix and apply new grout:
Once all your grout is removed and you have your
new grout, it's cake from here. Every grout product has its own mixing
requirements, so read and follow the directions for the grout product you're
using. Mix you up some grout and get your "float" ready and go to
town.
You can use your hands or a grout float and scoop
some grout out of the bucket and onto the tile and force the grout into the
grout lines - you can use your finger and jam the grout in the cracks.
If you are
doing a wall, start at the bottom of the wall. If you are doing a floor, start
at the corner farthest from the door so as to not stress about walking or
crawling over your work. Spread your grout and let it set-up for about 5
minutes.
Work in a small area at a time because you do not
want the grout to dry before you have the desired finish you want. The grout
should be almost flush with the top of the tile. Grout lines should be full but
not over-filled. Use the float and run it along the grout lines at a 45-degree
angle to smooth it out.
Cleaning the tile |
Cleaning the tile:
Now you will notice the grout makes a mess on your
tile. You’ll want to clean this up! Make sure to have a bucket of water and a
clean sponge prepped. After the grout has set for about 20-30 minutes, wring
out your sponge really good and lightly go over the tile in circular motions.
After you have cleaned off the tiles, wring out
the sponge and wipe along the grout line to smooth it out. Now, do not touch
your work. Be patient and let the grout set and dry completely.
Removing the haze:
After about an hour, go over the entire surface a
second time for a final cleaning to remove a haze over the top of the tile. You
will want remove the haze immediately because if you wait a day or so, it will
be much more difficult to remove.
Removing the haze |
Get a fresh bucket of water and a new sponge. Once
again, be sure to wring out the sponge thoroughly and wipe down the tile to
remove the haze. More than likely, you will have to wipe down the tile several
times to remove all the haze completely. This can take some time, but you will
want to make sure all the haze is gone. One tip for removing the haze is to use
microfiber towels. They are inexpensive and can remove a large portion of the
haze in one wipe-down.
Do you have any projects you would like to post? Send them to our blog email at rayneausciproducts@gmail.com - we will be happy to post them on our blog.
This is a really informative knowledge, Thanks for posting this informative Information. Tile Repair
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