Replacing bathroom grout in your home can be an arduous and time-consuming undertaking. Fortunately, the proper set of instructions can make the job much easier and wind up saving you a great deal of time. So if you've been meaning to replace grout in your bathroom, you're in luck. This article will walk you through the process of bathroom grout replacement in a step-by-step fashion, thus ensuring that your grout-related anxieties become a thing of the past.
Step 1: Remove the Original Grout
Before you can install new grout, you must first remove the original grout. The difficulty of this task is largely dependent upon the quality of your original grout and the size of your bathroom. If the bathroom is relatively small and the original grout is not firmly in place, this step can usually be completed with nothing more than a basic hand tool designed specifically for removing grout. Removing large amounts of grout in this fashion can be both physically exhausting and very time-consuming, so for larger bathrooms, it is advised that you incorporate the aid of power tools with grout removal attachments. These attachments are generally shaped like claws and are carbide-tipped.
Step 2: Vigorously Clean the Grout-less Area
Once the original bathroom grout has been completely removed, you must give the newly grout-less area a thorough cleaning before proceeding any further. This step is extremely important, as your new grout may not adhere properly if there is any caked-on dirt or debris. In addition to being given a vigorous scrubbing, it is also recommended that you vacuum the grout-less area in order to ensure that there is no remaining dust.
Step 3: Prepare the Grout Mix
With the tiled area sufficiently cleaned, it is time to prepare the grout mix. Start by pouring the dry grout mix into a clean bucket. Then, give it a powerful stirring so as to lay waste to any meddlesome clumps. Next, consult the package to learn how much water you're going to need, then fill another clean bucket with the specified amount. Slowly begin to add small portions of grout mix to the water while stirring the mixture with a mixing tool. Continue to stir until the mixture becomes sticky.
Step 4: Protect Your Bathroom Tiles
Now that you've prepared the mixture, you're almost ready to begin laying your new grout. But first, you must place thin strips of tape along the edges of your tiles in order to prevent leakage. Should any mixture leak out onto the tiles, it is imperative that you clean it posthaste, lest it harden and become extremely difficult to remove. For this reason, it is recommended that you have a bucket of water and a sponge handy at all times during the bathroom grout replacement process.
Step 5: Begin Applying Your New Grout
Having secured your tiles, you are now ready to applying your new grout. With the aid of a tile float, carefully but firmly begin filling the grout-less areas. When performing this step, it is important that you apply the new grout as slowly as possible. Haste makes waste—especially when it comes to replacing grout.
After giving the new grout ample time to dry, you're all done! And there you have it—grout replacement in five easy steps.
Source: www.DoItYourself.com
