How to: Re-grout your tiles

Grout can can become stained or discoloured over time and re-grouting tiles is a fantastic way to improve the appearance of a tired looking bathroom or kitchen.

If you do chose to replace grout, there are some things to consider in order to achieve that good as new finish.

The first thing to do is to remove the existing grout. You could use a grout remover to do this, which is specifically designed to fit into the tile joints and rake out the grout.

Make sure you cover the area you’ll be working on with an old sheet first, and remember to wear goggles when doing this, and to open a window as things could get quite dusty.

Once you’re ready, you can make a start on using the tool to remove the grout from between the tiles. There are also electric grout removers available that can do the same job.

Once all the grout is removed, you need to wipe the whole surface over with a damp cloth to get rid of any remaining flakes that might be on the wall.

Then you’re ready to apply some fresh grout.

There is a huge varierty of grout out there. Some is waterproof, and so is perfect for wet areas such as showers, other grout is only suitable for dry areas and some has anti-mould properties, so take care when selecting to make sure the grout is suitable for the task.

Once the grout is prepared you’ll need a grout float or a grout spreader to apply it. For large areas, a grout float is recommended.

Take a trowel to place the grout onto the grout spreader, and use the spreader to work the grout into the joints. The edge of the spreader can also be used to clear the surfaces of the tiles as you go.

Its advisable to work at a steady pace, as grout will start to harden after around 20 minutes. Once all the grout has been added, clean off any remaining excess with a tile sponge.

And there you have it, tiles and grouting that look as good as new!

To watch a practical step by step video guide on how to easily re-grout tiles, check this out: