If it’s been a while since your last big home remodel, the grout in your kitchen and bathroom may need to be replaced. Replacing old grout will extend the life of your tiles, regardless of if they’re part of a counter, floor or bathing area. Fortunately, the process isn’t a difficult one.
Remove Old Grout
The first step to replacing grout in your bathroom or kitchen is the get rid of the old stuff. Although you can use a removal tool by hand, a special saw to remove it will go faster. If you don’t have one of those, there are attachments available for your rotary saw. If using the rotary, take care not to scratch the tile.
Add New Grout
Once the old material is gone, thoroughly wash the area with special tile and grout cleaner, and mix new grout to the consistency of tooth paste. Spread the grout in a diagonal motion across the surface, and hold your float at 45 degrees. Once the joints are full and no more will fit, wipe excess grout away and let it sit for a few minutes. When it was allowed to dry for a little while, wipe the area down again with a damp sponge. At this point, the tile should be a bit higher than the grout.
Aftercare
Once you’ve let the grout dry completely, buff the surface as you would a car to give your tiles a nice shine. After waiting for another three days, it’s time to apply sealant to your newly installed grout to protect against stains in the future.
Your new grout will look great and will give the room a fresh, like new look again. In addition, when you maintain your grout by keeping it clean between replacements, you’ll preserve the tiling in walls, bathtubs, shower stalls, counters and floors for years to come.
If replacing the grout doesn’t refresh your tile, it may be time to consider a replacement. Iron River Construction provides interior remodeling solutions, including bathroom and kitchen tile and tiled backsplashes.
