How to Remove Grout From Tiles
Over time, tile grout can become stained, cracked or begin to crumble. If the tiles are intact and you just want to place new grout in the tiles, your first step is to remove the existing grout. If you are removing all of the tile, you need not worry about removing the grout separately. The grout will come off easily when you are breaking up the tiles for removal. Effectively removing grout from tiles involves precision and patience; it is important not to damage the tiles in the process of removing the grout.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Grout saw
- Extra blade(s) for grout saw
- Utility knife or chisel
- Vacuum cleaner
- Wet rag
- Bucket
- Water
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1
Use a grout saw to extract as much of the grout from the joints as possible. A grout saw has a blade that is specially designed for grout removal. You can purchase a grout saw for under $10 at most home-improvement stores.
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2
Apply a steady, constant pressure to the grout saw and saw right along the grout lines of the tile. Move the grout saw back and forth in the grout to effectively break it up. If you are removing grout from a tiled wall, use the saw vertically rather than horizontally along the wall. This will prevent your arms from tiring out quickly.
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3
Replace the blade on the grout saw if you notice removal of the grout is getting harder. The blades cost approximately $3 and will likely need to be replaced after a couple of hours of work.
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4
Continue sawing along the grout lines to remove as much grout as possible until you have removed the grout from the desired area. If you are planning on applying new grout in the joints, be sure that at least two-thirds of the existing grout is removed from the joints. This will allow ample space for the new grout to attach to the tiles.
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5
Use a utility knife or chisel to remove any grout that you were unable to remove with the grout saw. Chip away the grout using forceful motions with the chisel or knife.
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6
Vacuum up the joints with a vacuum hose attachment to remove any clumps of grout. Use a damp rag to remove any debris, dust or grout residue from the joints and tiles, rinsing it out frequently. It may be a good idea to fill a bucket with plain water for easier accessibility to rinse out the rag. It is important to get every bit of debris from the joints if you are applying new grout.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Be very careful when using the grout saw, chisel or utility knife so as not to damage or crack the surrounding tile.
