How to Regrout a Tile Shower Floor
Regrouting a tile shower floor shouldn't be an intimidating feat, especially since a shower floor's surface area is smaller than an entire tile wall. Grout can become grimy and worn down over the years. Though some cleaners and bleach can help lighten the surface, it is best to regrout the joint lines to ensure a clean and waterproof surface. The task can be completed by even a novice. Scraping away the existing grout is probably the most difficult part, and that's only because it's the most time consuming. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Tarp
- Masking tape
- Mask
- Gloves
- Goggles
- Utility knife
- Grout saw
- Stiff brush
- Vacuum
- Grout mix
- Mixing paddle
- Drill
- Buckets
- Rubber float
- Sponge
- Towel
- Caulk
- Grout sealer
Instructions
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1
Tape off the surrounding walls with plastic tarps and masking tape to prevent unwanted spills.
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2
Put on goggles, mask, and gloves before proceeding.
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3
Cut along any caulked edges with a utility knife. Slice through the caulk and pull it out with your fingers. Scrape the edges to remove residual caulk, being careful not to scratch the tiles.
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4
Scrape away 1/8 inch of grout with a grout saw.
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5
Clean out the excess debris by scrubbing a stiff brush against the grout joints while holding a vacuum next to it to suck up the debris.
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6
Mix grout according to the manufacturer's directions. Combine with a mixing paddle attached to a drill to facilitate the process.
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7
Spread the grout mix on the tile floor using a rubber float. Apply at an angle and press hard to pack in the grout. Scrape off excess grout by scraping the float across the tiles in a diagonal fashion. Work quickly before the grout begins to harden.
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8
Dip a sponge in water and wipe across the tiles to clean excess grout off the tiles. Keep two separate buckets, one with clean water and the second for dirty water. Wring the sponge into the dirty water bucket and soak with clean water frequently while wiping off the grout. Let the grout dry for several hours.
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9
Scrape off corner grout with a utility knife so that it can be filled with caulk.
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10
Buff the tiles with a terry cloth towel after the grout has dried for several hours.
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Tape the corners to prevent caulk from spilling over to the tiles. Squeeze in caulk into the corner joints and immediately smooth off with your fingers. Squeeze caulk into the base of the shower as well. Remove the tape and let it dry.
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12
Spray grout sealer to prevent water from seeping through the grout.
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References
- Photo Credit shower handle image by Leticia Wilson from Fotolia.com
