The regrouting job is very easy if you know how to do it correctly. Learn how to regrout tiles over old grout or without removing old grout in this article.
Grout can become dirty, dingy, cracked, and missing in places with time. No matter how properly it is sealed, it can fall apart over time, especially if persistently exposed to moisture.
This is why the grouts on your bathroom floor and the bottom tiles on your walls tend to crumble faster than other grouts that have little contact with water or other liquids.
Dirty, faded grout can be a true eyesore. After all, the color, spacing, and other features of grout play a vital role in home decor. Removing old grout is a boring task, and the good news is that it is not usually necessary.
Regrouting is a job that almost any homeowner can perform. If you know how to regrout tiles without removing old grout, you can simplify your efforts and achieve the best results.
Can You Regrout Over Existing Grout?
The first question that comes to mind is, “Can you regrout over existing grout?” The answer is very simple; yes, you can regrout over an existing grout.
Applying new grout over the existing grout is a basic home project that you can easily do yourself. This will save you some time and money and also give you the beautiful results you want to see. Let’s learn how to regrout tiles over old grout.
How To Regrout Tiles Without Removing Old Grout
Things You Will Need
- Face mask
- Grout saw
- Vacuum
- Sponge
- Grout
- Grout float
- Clean cloth
- Grout sealer
- Caulk
- Caulk gun
- Utility knife or scissors
Step – 1 Select the Right Material
Grout is usually made of cement, and hence it tends to discolor and deteriorate with time. Though cement grout is the most common grouting material, epoxy grout is superior.
Because it has a better bonding property and does not absorb water as quickly as cement grouts. Furthermore, epoxy grout is easy to apply, durable, and available in various colors and finishes.
Step – 2 Make Room for the New Grout
It’s a messy and time-consuming job to remove the old grout and make room for new. Even removing a thin layer of the grout can create a big mess.
You don’t need to remove all of the old grout before applying the new grout. But the dirty or disintegrating grout must be chipped away before the new grout can adhere to the old grout.
Prepare to spend at least two hours scraping off some of the old grout to make channels for the new grout. The channel should be deep enough to allow new grout to bond. Make sure you are wearing a mask to prevent inhaling the dust.
Remove the upper layer of the old grout using a grout removal tool to a depth of at least 2 millimeters. You can use a grout saw or another type of grout removal tool.
Step – 3 Clean up the Workplace
Once you create the channel, vacuum up any loose dust and particles from the work area. You have to maintain the grout line clean and dry before you apply the new material. Even after vacuuming, some minor particles may remain.
As a result, wipe out the entire work area with a damp cloth and leave it to dry. Make sure the project area is completely dry before you fill the grout lines with a new grout mixture.
Step – 4 Apply the New Grout
Tile grout is available in powdered form that needs to be mixed by hand or premixed semi-liquid paste in various tube sizes. Hence the direction of use may vary with the product.
Once the working area is clean and dry, mix the grout according to the instructions on the package.
Scoop a sufficient amount of the mixture onto the grout float and spread it diagonally across the grout lines. Press it down to pack it firmly into the channel.
After that, use a clean, wet sponge to remove the excess grout from the tiles and smoothen out the edges. Cleaning the joints and tiles is a slow process.
Continue moving the wet sponge around the joints and tiles without applying too much pressure until it removes all excess grout and looks perfect.
Allow the grout to dry for approximately one week before moving on to the final step. During this time, it should remain completely dry.
Step 5 – Apply caulk and sealant
To finish the task of regrouting, you must seal the grout. Apply grout sealer to new grout joints using a dry clean cloth. Allow the sealant to soak into the joints before wiping the tile’s surface.
Once the grout is sealed, caulk the corners and edges of your work area. Cut the caulk tube’s tip to the same size as the joint.
Using continuous pressure on the caulk gun, push the tip of the tube across the joint, providing a smooth, consistent joint. Remove any excess grout with a wet finger.
Final Words
Taking the time to regrout your tiles can completely transform your room from old and worn to new and more functional in the long run.
Additionally, new grout can make a surface more water-resistant and impermeable to contaminants that can cause havoc in the gaps between loose tiles.
If you don’t use the same grout or one that will adhere well to the existing grout, you’ll have to redo the job in months. While regrouting tiles isn’t difficult, the state of the existing grout may determine whether you should do the job yourself or hire an expert.