Making an old grungy shower look new again does not always require a big financial investment and weeks of renovation. In most cases, simply regrouting the tile can give your bathroom a fresh look.
Is Regrouting Difficult?
Regrouting a bathroom shower or tub stall may seem difficult, but it really is just grunt work. The process is relatively simple and an entire shower regrout can usually be finished in about a day – even by someone who has never grouted tile before.
So were do you start? Here are the basic tips to get you through this basic renovation job:
Gather Your Supplies
Every remodeling job needs supplies. Grouting tile is no different. Here are the basics to have on hand:
- caulk and caulk gun
- 10 lb. bag of grout
- Large bucket
- Drill/driver (cordless works best)
- Dust mask
- Rubber gloves
- Safety glasses
- Utility knife (and plenty of replacement blades)
- Plastic scouring pad
- Grout sponge
- Stiff brush paint mixing paddle
- Grout saw
- Shop vac
Get Rid of the Old Grout
The first step to regrouting your shower tile is to get the old grout out. This can be a tedious job, but necessary. The best way to begin is to use a utility knife or grout saw to slice through the old grout and pull it out of the crack.
Tip: be sure to lay plastic down in the bottom of the shower to protect the tile there and to keep grout particles from clogging the drain.
Mix the Grout
Once the tile lines are grout free and the dust has been cleared using a shop vac, mix a small batch of grout (only a few cups at a time) by following the directions on the bag. Remember, grout hardens quickly, so be sure to keep the job moving. Once you use up the first batch, rinse the bucket thoroughly before mixing the next batch.
Pack the Joints
To pack the joints, simply plop a dollop of grout and smooth it at a 45 degree angle. Be sure to use plenty of grout and feel free to be messy here. The goal is to get enough grout in those joints to keep the tile together. Press hard to make sure it is packed tightly.
Scrape Away the Excess
As soon as you have filled the joints, take your float and scrape off the excess with a diagonal motion. Move quickly because the grout will dry quickly, making it more difficult to remove from the tile.
Once the grout has begun to set you can use a damp sponge to wipe the rest from the tile. Use circular strokes and keep rinsing your sponge.
If the grout hardens on the tile, you can remove it with a plastic scrub pad.
Scrape the Corners
Remove any excess globs of caulks from corners by using a utility knife to scrape. Be careful not to scratch the surrounding tile.
Apply Caulking
Let the grout dry for about 24 hours and then apply caulking along the seams and corners. Use painters tape to keep the caulk in place.
Once completed, allow the caulking to dry for 12-24 hours before using the shower.
Groutsmith Tulsa
Many homeowners in the Tulsa, Oklahoma area report a similar issue: over time, their showers show signs of stained or damaged grout between the tiles. Fortunately, there is help: Groutsmith Tulsa tile re-grouting services! Groutsmith offers expert help for your tile grout so that it can be restored to like-new condition. Call us today!
