NO MORE DIRT: How To Repair Grout

Grout is a cement paste that is used to fill the gaps between the tiles. Over time, this grout can get damaged and wear out, ruining the look of the otherwise perfect looking tiles. It can make the tiles look dull and old. Cracking grout on the newly tiled floor can be extremely frustrating. It could be the cause of poor grout mixture or lack of expansion joints.

Fortunately, the tile grout can be removed, replaced, and repaired using only a few tools and supplies. Grout repair can restore the beauty of the tiles that were once lost due to damaging and accumulation of dirt and grime. There are following ways to repair the old grout:

Cleaning:

Cleaning the old grout can greatly increase the look of the tiles. Using a vinegar and water solution on the grout, the original color of the grout will be exposed. This will help in buying the same colored grout from the market rather than accidentally buying the wrong one. 

Dip a clean toothbrush in the vinegar-water solution and scrub the grout aggressively to remove tough stains and grime from its surface to reveal the actual cover. Wipe the excess mixture with some cloth to avoid hinderance.

This step can also be done if the old grout isn’t damaged and requires minor maintenance. Cleaning the grout will make them good as new only if there are no cracks on the surface, which is highly unlikely if they are more than three years old.

Sawing:

The grout is in a powdered form and will be easily available from any local hardware store. After matching the color of the grout with the new one, its time to get rid of the old one.

A grout saw is used to remove the grout. It is a small handheld blade that can fit between the tiles. It must be noted that if proper precaution is not taken, the tiles can be easily damaged by aggressive sawing. 

Place the saw on the damaged parts of the grout and scrub away. It will cause grout to grind into dust and spread all over the place, so it is recommended to wear a protective mask to sheath the face to prevent the dust from being inhaled. 

Vacuum:

After the old and damaged grout is sawed, vacuum the place to remove the broken pieces and dust from the tiles. Make sure no damaged parts are remaining in the vicinity.

Applying New Grout:

As the new grout is in powdered form, mix it in water. Grout repair and mixing instructions are mentioned on the package of the grout and must be followed strictly to get the best results.

After forming a paste of the grout, the grout float is used. A grout float is a tool that is used to smear the grout paste in the space between the tiles. Make sure to spread the grout evenly in the spaces and remove the extra grout from the edges.

Let the grout stay for half an hour, and when it becomes slightly hard to touch, use a damp sponge to gently wipe the tiles and grout to give it extra moisture necessary for setting it.