How to Repair Clear Grout

Trowel 6 square feet of grout at a time.

Using clear grout is an effective way to seal joints, without taking emphasis off the decorative nature of the tiling. Oftentimes, white grout will draw the eye away from the tile and to the pattern it creates on the wall, countertop or shower. Despite its many interior design functions, clear grout needs repair from time to time. Grout can grow mold or chip, which will cause it to need repairs. Water getting into the joints makes a hospitable environment for mold. Repair your clear grout and restore the look of your tiles.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic
• Household cleaner
• Paper towels
• Carbide scraper
• Chisel
• Rubber mallet
• Bucket
• Rubber float
• Rounded grout sponge
• Dehumidifier

Instructions

1. Lay down a piece of plastic to catch grout fragments. Clean off the surface area with a household cleaner and paper towel. Press a carbide scraper against the grout where it has become chipped.

2. Remove hard grout with a chisel and rubber mallet. Press the chisel next to the chipped grout and gently pound until the grout is loosened enough to remove with the carbide scraper. Work all the way around the tile to remove the chipped grout. It is often easier to go ahead and remove all of the grout around tiles and start anew. Vacuum the tile to pick up dust and debris. Clean off the surface of the tile with household cleaner and paper towels.

3. Mix grout with water in a bucket . Pour enough water into the bucket so that the grout is the same consistency as icing for a cake. Mix only enough to fill half a gallon at one time to prevent the grout from drying out. Trowel the grout onto the tile with a rubber float. Apply the grout at a 45-degree angle to properly spread it into the joints.

4. Wet a rounded grout sponge in a bucket of clean water. Squeeze out the excess water. Wipe the grout with the sponge to remove the grout from the tile. Periodically clean the sponge with water and wipe the tile.

5. Go over the joints with the grout sponge to create straight, clean-looking lines. Allow the grout at least 24 hours to dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Place a dehumidifier in the room after grouting to aid in drying.

• Avoid a crumbly grout by squeezing out excess water from the sponge.

References

• Ask the Builder: Grout Removal and Redo
• Ask the Builder: Grouting Tile