Bathroom Fixes: How to regrout wall tiles



If your shower or bathroom has seen better days, regrouting your tiles can make a big difference. With constant use, bathroom tiles can quickly lose their shine, with dirt and grime easily building up between tiles and eventually causing the grout to deteriorate. Fractures in grout and stains that won’t wash out may indicate spots where water is working its way behind the tiles. If you catch it in time you can easily give tiles a new layer of grout, and increase the life and look of your bathroom.

What will you need?

  • Grout
  • Sponge
  • Silicone
  • Sealant gun
  • Utility knife
  • Mixing bowl
  • Rubber squeegee
  • Kitchen towel

OK, now that you have the necessary equipment, here is what you need to do:
1. Remove the silicone 

Use a utility knife to slice along the vertical and horizontal joints around the bath, corners and along the floor. Pull out the old silicone by hand and clean the tile edges.

2. Scrape out old grout

Use a grout saw to remove at least 3 mm of grout from all horizontal and vertical joints. Clean out all of the dust and loose debris using a utility knife. 

3. Apply the grout 

Mix the grout with water in a plastic or glass mixing bowl until the grout is the consistency of toothpaste. Spread the grout at an angle to the grout lines using a rubber squeegee, working back and forth until the joints are full.

4. Clean the surface 

Use a damp sponge to wipe the excess grout from the tiles. Once the grout is firm use kitchen towel to clean the haze from the tile surface. Using a damp cloth will just move the grout dust around and not remove it.   

5. Seal the joints 

Use a sealant gun to fill the joints with a bead of silicone coloured to match the grout, smooth it with a wet finger. Remember to fill the bath half way with water before sealing. 

The materials needed to regrout an average shower recess are inexpensive and the job is quick to do but it will take a fair bit of time and elbow grease to get rid of the old grout first. It really does add years to the usefulness of your bathroom, and helps to prevent expensive water damage.


If this job is not for you and you need a tiling contractor?


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