How to Replace Cracked Tile Grout in a Tub or Shower

Introduction

Attend to cracked or crumbling grout joints as soon as they appear. Water getting behind the tiles can ruin the tile job and cause costly damage. The process described below assumes you need to regrout the entire area. More often you only have to work on a few damaged areas. Regardless, it is a four-day job--one day to regrout and recaulk, two days of curing time and one day for sealing.

By: eHow Home & Garden Editor

Length: 2:19

Comments: 5

View more articles by this author

Flag | RSS

(59)

Add to Favorites

URL:
Embed:

Instructions

Text Size: – +

Print Article

Difficulty: Challenging

Tips & Warnings:

Dremel's Grout Removal attachment kit for electric rotary tools guides the cutter along grout joints for fast grout removal--a modest investment that makes a big job much easier.
Protect the floor of the shower or tub with an old blanket or a canvas drop cloth, and put tape over the drain to keep out debris.
If a metal tub spout is stuck, insert a large screwdriver or the handle of a pair of pliers into the spout opening to twist it off.
Wear eye protection, such as goggles, and rubber gloves.
Do not allow grout to cure on the surface of the tile. It won't come off.
Grout sealer inevitably gets on the tub floor and is very slippery. Move carefully and clean spills promptly with soapy water.

Remove the plumbing trim

Step1

Remove the tub spout. One type slips over a copper pipe: Loosen the setscrew on the underside with an Allen (hex) wrench and pull off the spout. The other type threads onto an iron pipe: Twist it off either by hand or with groove-joint pliers. Pad the spout first with a rag to avoid marring its finish.

Step2

Remove the faucet handle(s). Pop off any decorative cap that covers the handle screw with a knife or an awl. Then remove the screw and pull off the handle.

Step3

Remove the faucet trim. First unscrew or pull off the cylindrical sleeve from the valve. Then unscrew or pull off the flange that covers the hole in the tile. Slide the trim around the shower arm away from the wall.

Remove the grout and clean

Step1

Use a grout saw (some have teeth and others have an abrasive coating on the blade) to remove as much grout from the joint as you can (see A). Work very carefully to avoid scratching the tile.

Step2

Remove the caulk joint between the tile and the tub or shower pan (see How to Seal Wall Joints Around a Tub or Shower).

Step3

Vacuum with a wand attachment to suck all loose material out of the joints. Sponge on a 50-50 bleach-and-water solution to kill any mildew. Hand-rinse well, and wipe the surface dry with a towel.

Mix and apply the grout

Step1

Mix enough unsanded grout to do one wall at a time. Slowly add water to the powder in a bucket. Mix with a paint-mixing drill attachment until you reach the right consistency. The grout should be just stiff enough so it won't pour out of the container without a push. Wait 10 minutes and remix.

Step2

Spread the grout diagonally across the tile with a rubber float (a grout trowel) held at a 45-degree angle (see B). Press firmly and go over the surface several times to pack the joints. Finish by striking off any excess with the float held at a 90-degree angle.

Step3

When the grout is dry but still crumbly, use a screwdriver to scrape it out of the joint between the tile and the tub or shower pan, as you will be caulking it.

Clean and seal the surface

Step1

Before you wet-clean the tile, allow the grout to set up for a few minutes. As soon as you can wipe grout off the surface using a damp (not wet) grout sponge without pulling grout out of the joint, clean until only a light haze of grout remains (see C). Use light, diagonal strokes, and rinse and wring out the sponge often.

Step2

Clean and shape the joints by wiping parallel to them. Remove the grout until its level is just below the tile's rounded edges. If any voids appear in the process, press in a dab of grout with the float, the sponge or a fingertip (see D), and wait about 10 minutes.

Step3

Wipe off the grout haze with a soft, dry cotton cloth. Dampen the sponge if needed, or use a green (mild) abrasive pad to scrub off any stubborn spots.

Step4

Caulk the tub or shower joint (see How to Seal Wall Joints Around a Tub or Shower).

Step5

After 48 hours, apply a grout sealer, following the instructions on the label.

Comments

garlandbob said

Flag This Comment

on 7/28/2008 Wow, thanks for this tip. I never knew that it was this easy. I've been putting off taking care of my shower for the last two years, and now it really needs it. This coming weekend I'll be taking on this project. Having only one shower in my house and collectively needing for this to take up to six days isn't appealing. Thanks again though!! Robert (Dallas, Texas)

tammeyb said

Flag This Comment

on 3/23/2008 I agree, you have to remove excess grout before it dries. Wipe carefully, but get if off of your tile.

Anonymous said

Flag This Comment

on 6/30/2006 I can't stress this enough. It really will not come off. My friend accidentally got distracted mid-project. When he sold the house 3 years later, the grout was still on the tile surface, no amount of cleaning/acid could remove it.

Anonymous said

Flag This Comment

on 11/22/2005 Some areas have hard water that can leave a white residue in or on the grout after it dries. Using distilled water to mix with makes for true color grout. It also leaves out the minerals and chemicals in tap water that could weaken the grout over time.

Anonymous said

Flag This Comment

on 11/22/2005 Do not rinse a grout sponge down the tub or sink drain, it may accumulate and harden in the pipes. After all, it is basically cement. Instead, rinse the sponge in a bucket of water, where grout with settle to the bottom. To dispose of grout, strain the bucket's contents through a sieve or colander that has been lined with a filter (a coffee filter or porous rag will work).

View All