How to Repair Existing Grout

Fix damaged grout to protect your tile from future damage.

If your grout is chipping, cracking or crumbling, it's time to fix it. Damaged grout leaves tile edges susceptible to moisture and other debris, which can cause problems down the line. Removing the damaged grout and replacing it with new is a DIY home-improvement project; there's no need to spend money on a professional. With the right products and methods, your grout will once again look good and function as it should.

Things You'll Need

• Grout saw
• Chisel
• Hammer
• Small paintbrush
• Vacuum cleaner with hose attachment
• Rags
• Grout
• 2 buckets
• Rubber grout float
• Sponge

Instructions

1. Remove damaged grout by moving a grout saw back and forth over the joints until all grout dislodges. For stubborn grout that won't come out with the saw, use a chisel and hammer to carefully chip it away.

2. Brush out the joints with a small paintbrush. Suck up any remaining dust and debris from inside the joints and on the surrounding tile with the hose attachment on your vacuum cleaner. Wipe out the joints with a damp rag to make sure all of the dust is gone.

3. Mix new grout in a bucket per the label's instructions. Don't mix too much grout at once, as it may dry up before you can apply it. Mix only enough at a time to cover about 3 square feet. Fill a separate bucket with warm water, which you will use to clean the grout joints and tile after you apply the grout.

4. Scoop a generous amount of grout from the bucket using a rubber grout float. Hold the float at a 45-degree angle and spread the grout diagonally across the tile. Go back and forth several times over the joints with the float, applying moderate pressure to force the grout into the joints, cleaning excess grout from your float after each pass. Also use the float to scrape any grout from the tile. Smooth out the grout in the joints with your finger.

5. Let the grout dry for 30 minutes after completing your 3-foot section. Dip a sponge into the bucket of water. Wring it out well. Run the sponge diagonally over the grout joints using a sweeping motion. Only pass over each grout joint one time or you risk removing the grout. Rinse and wring out the sponge each time you pass it over a grout joint.

6. Wipe any excess wet grout off the surface of the tile with the damp sponge. After completing all sections, let the grout dry completely per the manufacturer's instructions (about four to six hours), then wipe the tiles again with the sponge to remove any grout residue. Buff the tiles with a dry rag to remove any haze left from the grout.

References

• Repair Home: Replacing Grout
• Don Vandervort's Home Tips: How to Repair / Replace Cracked Tile Grout
• Mrs. Fixit: Repairing Grout