Revamp Your Room with the Sparkle of Freshly Restored Grout!

If you have tile flooring then there is one thing that it is almost guaranteed to have – grout! Grout is the material that holds your tile in place and helps it stay sealed against the surface below it. It is also incredibly porous, meaning it absorbs dirt, debris, and moisture which can leave it looking dull, dingy, and in need of a quick but thorough clean.

Over time, the grout can start to crack, causing gaps that are unsightly and can potentially let in water, causing water damage. This is when it is time to restore your tile grout, which requires some sweat equity. Fortunately, there are several ways you can go about removing and restoring old tile grout to get your floor looking good as new.

The first step is to remove the old grout from your tile. The easiest way to do this is with power tools, such as a dremel rotary tool or an oscillating tool. With a special attachment designed for cutting grout, you can guide the tool along the grout lines and quickly remove the old grout. While this is a fast and easy method, it can be quite dusty and messy and there is always the risk of slipping and ruining surrounding tiles.

Another option is to use a grout removal tool, which is essentially a metal rod with a triangular shaped blade. You place the tip into a grout line and the push the tool forward to cut the old grout out. This option is inexpensive, but can be difficult since it requires a great deal of pressure to remove the grout.

If you want to keep things as traditional as possible, you can use a hammer and cold chisel or flathead screwdriver to chip out the old grout. Just hold the chisel at a 45 degree angle and then tap it away with a hammer until the grout is gone. This is an extremely time consuming process, but it can be done if you have the patience and the time.

Once all the old grout is gone, mix a batch of new grout in a bucket following the package directions. Make sure you have unsanded grout for grout lines 1/8-inch or less. The grout should have a consistency similar to cake icing.

Using a rubber-backed grout float, press the grout into the lines, making sure to press it down firmly. Gently use your hands to press it into any tight spaces. Wait about 15 minutes and then use a damp cloth or sponge and a bucket of water to wipe away any excess grout. Let the grout dry overnight and then use a dry cloth or sponge to wipe away any haze.

Finally, give the grout a good seal to keep it protected against dirt and stains. With the sealer applied, you can now stand back and admire your new tile floor!

Restoring your tile grout isn’t an easy task. It requires some sweat equity and time to do it correctly, but if you take the time to do it yourself you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful tile floor that’s ready to take on whatever life throws at it!

There are several methods of removing and restoring old tile grout. While some are fast, such as power tools, they create dust and mess and can easily slip and damage other tiles. If you want to keep things traditional, you can remove the grout by chipping out with a hammer and a cold chisel or flathead screwdriver, but this takes a great deal of time.

Once the old grout is gone, it’s time to mix up a batch of new grout in a bucket following the package directions. Make sure it has a consistency similar to cake icing and remember to have unsanded grout for grout lines 1/8-inch or less. Apply the grout with a rubber-backed grout float and press it firmly into the lines. Wait about 15 minutes and then use a damp cloth or sponge and a bucket of water to wipe away any excess grout. Let the grout dry overnight and then use a dry cloth or sponge to wipe away any residual grout haze.

The last step is to apply a grout sealer to add protection against dirt and stains. Take the time to do the job right, and in the end you will be rewarded with a beautiful tile floor that looks fresh and inviting!