Refreshing a tiled floor doesn’t always mean replacing the entire surface! The grout between the tiles can have a major impact on the space, and changing old grout for a newer mix is a great way to facelift bathrooms, kitchens and living areas. Regrouting tiles can be time consuming, but it’s a DIY-friendly job, and it’s a great way to make old spaces look new again. In this article we’re going to go over how to regrout floor tiles and the tools you’ll need to make your grout lines look new again!
The Materials You’ll Need
Regrouting floor tiles is a fairly straightforward process that only requires a few tools. To regrout the floor or wall tiles in your home you will need:
- Grout saw
- Utility knife
- Oscillating multi-tool with grout saw blades (optional but recommended)
- Ear and eye protection
- Drop cloths
- Dust mask
- Replacement grout mix
- Grout float
- Grout sponge
- Buckets
Removing old grout from between your tiles is an extremely dusty process. The dust can be harmful to your lungs if you breathe too much, so it’s especially important to wear a dust mask while removing grout. You can reduce the amount of dust in the air by using a shop vacuum to suck up the dust as you work.
Preparing the Work Area
There’s no two ways around it – regrouting tiles is a messy job. We strongly recommend using a power tool like an oscillating multi-tool, but that does mean you’ll produce plenty of dust along the way. Make sure you cover any surfaces with a painter’s canvas drop cloth before the work begins. If you’re worried about dust escaping into other rooms, you can hang thin plastic drop clothes from the ceiling to contain the mess.
How to Regrout Floor Tiles
Once you’ve gathered your tools and sealed off the area, it’s time to get to work! Regrouting living room tiles is a straightforward process with just a few steps:
- Remove the old grout. There are no tricks to removing grout, you simply have to begin scraping the old material out. This can be done with a specialised hand tool called a “grout saw,” but we strongly recommend using a power tool to get the job done.
To remove the old grout, fit your multi-tool with a grout saw blade and move the tool along each grout line with the blade held perpendicular to the tiles. Take care not to crack or chip any of the tiles. It’s a good idea to use a shop vacuum to remove the dust and grout debris as you work. - Clean up the grout lines. After you’ve removed most of the grout, it’s time to go back and remove any remaining grout. On the second pass you can angle the blade slightly to get closer to the edges of the tiles. Focus on removing as much of the old grout as possible. If you can’t reach a section with a power tool, you can use a utility knife to scrape the material away.
- Vacuum the area. With the old grout removed, you need to thoroughly vacuum up any debris and dust. Excessive amounts of dust will prevent the new grout from adhering properly, so make sure the area is clean before you proceed!
- Mix your new grout. Once the cleanup is complete you can begin preparing your new grout. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for mixing powdered grout. You want to mix in just enough water to make a smooth paste.
- Regrout the empty joints. Using your grout float, scoop up some of the grout and smear it onto the joints between the tiles. Holding your float at a 60 degree angle, spread the grout into the joints evenly, working diagonally across the grout lines to ensure each joint is filled properly. Repeat this process until all the joints are filled.
- Clean your tiles. Grab a damp sponge and a bucket of water and begin cleaning the excess grout off the tiles. Make sure your sponge is only just damp – too much moisture will pull the fresh grout out of the joints. Rinse your sponge as needed and replace the water when it gets dirty. You don’t need to clean the surface perfectly at this stage, just remove the bulk of the excess grout.
- Buff away grout haze. Once the grout has dried there will be a slight haze left on the surface. The haze can be buffed away with soft cloth and then it’s job done!
Get Ready for Your Next Project with Floor Tiles from Stone3!
Regrouting floor tiles is a time consuming process, but the result is well worth the effort! Replacing old, stained or crumbly grout can give your entire space a new lease on life. For any help you need planning your project, feel free to get in touch with the team at Stone3! Our tile experts supply a huge variety of stunning floor tiles, wall tiles, grouts and tile adhesives. Whether you’re replacing a kitchen splashback or revamping your entire home, we can provide the products and advice you need. You can contact us online, or visit our Brisbane and Melbourne showrooms at any time!
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