Great Home Project: How to Regrout Your Tile
Regrouting can be a cost-effective way to get a clean look. Find out whether you should do it yourself or hire a pro
Erin Carlyle
January 10, 2017
Former Houzz Editorial Staff. Writing about the cost of renovation and what it takes to remodel. Former Forbes real estate reporter. Fascinated by cool homes, watching the bottom line.
Former Houzz Editorial Staff. Writing about the cost of renovation and what it takes... More
The majority of homeowners who renovate their master bathrooms make a change to their floors, with 91 percent upgrading this area, according to Houzz research. But you may not need new flooring to get a fresh look. New grout can help your bathroom — and, for that matter, your kitchen backsplash — sparkle again. Here’s what you need to know about doing it yourself vs. hiring a pro.
Project: Regrout a tile floor, shower or backsplash.
Why: Regrouting is a great way to improve the look of a bathroom, backsplash or kitchen area without doing a full renovation.
It’s a good project for you if: You are a homeowner with patience, even a tendency to be meticulous. But if you can’t stand to obsess over details, this one’s probably not for you. A basic comfort level with power tools also helps.
Basic steps: Regrouting tile is a fairly simple process, but one that is also labor-intensive. To do it right, you need to scrape out the old grout, typically with a Dremel rotary tool or diamond blade saw. It’s important to remove the grout all the way down to the substrate, the setting material that the tile is set on. Next, wipe the degrouted area clean. Then it’s time to regrout.
Cutting out the old grout is important for longevity. If you lay new grout over the old, it probably won’t last as long as it should. “The challenge is that you have chemicals, things that have been added over time,” says Joe Smith, general contractor at Owings Brothers Contracting in Eldersburg, Maryland. These additions will weaken and damage the new grout over time. So start with a clean slate.
Why: Regrouting is a great way to improve the look of a bathroom, backsplash or kitchen area without doing a full renovation.
It’s a good project for you if: You are a homeowner with patience, even a tendency to be meticulous. But if you can’t stand to obsess over details, this one’s probably not for you. A basic comfort level with power tools also helps.
Basic steps: Regrouting tile is a fairly simple process, but one that is also labor-intensive. To do it right, you need to scrape out the old grout, typically with a Dremel rotary tool or diamond blade saw. It’s important to remove the grout all the way down to the substrate, the setting material that the tile is set on. Next, wipe the degrouted area clean. Then it’s time to regrout.
Cutting out the old grout is important for longevity. If you lay new grout over the old, it probably won’t last as long as it should. “The challenge is that you have chemicals, things that have been added over time,” says Joe Smith, general contractor at Owings Brothers Contracting in Eldersburg, Maryland. These additions will weaken and damage the new grout over time. So start with a clean slate.
Things to consider: When deciding whether to do the project yourself or hire it out, you’ll want to assess the grout line width and tile layout. If your tiles are very closely spaced, the work may be fairly difficult for a novice — you could damage your tiles. Smith suggests DIYers not tackle regrouting with gaps smaller than three-sixteenths of an inch. Instead, they should call a pro.
Take note of whether the area to be regrouted has good ventilation, including a window that you can open. DIYers should wear safety goggles and a mask.
“Regrouting tile is not rocket science,” says Gary Potter of Potter Construction in Seattle. He advises that homeowners try it if they are willing to invest in the tools they’ll need and if they think they might regrout again in the future.
Take note of whether the area to be regrouted has good ventilation, including a window that you can open. DIYers should wear safety goggles and a mask.
“Regrouting tile is not rocket science,” says Gary Potter of Potter Construction in Seattle. He advises that homeowners try it if they are willing to invest in the tools they’ll need and if they think they might regrout again in the future.
Beware of grout that is not only stained but cracked or falling out, advises Jon Pankau, tile installer at Timberline Tile in Minot, North Dakota. “If your grout is cracked or falling out, that tends to indicate that the tile wasn’t installed properly or the substrate wasn’t installed properly,” Pankau says. In this case, you’ll want to call a professional.
As an alternative to regrouting, Pankau suggests staining your grout. Many manufacturers make these products, which Pankau describes as “more like a paint or wash you put on, and it will change the grout color to whatever color you want.” Stains won’t adhere as well if the grout is overly hard or oily but can work well in normal circumstances.
Whom to hire: Look to a professional tile layer or tile contractor for this job, or a regrouting specialist if there is one in your area. Be sure to choose someone with a license and insurance. Your local tile supplier can probably provide a few good names. If you’re not sure who sells tile, the Houzz listings for tile manufacturers and showrooms in your area can be a good place to start your research, Potter suggests.
As an alternative to regrouting, Pankau suggests staining your grout. Many manufacturers make these products, which Pankau describes as “more like a paint or wash you put on, and it will change the grout color to whatever color you want.” Stains won’t adhere as well if the grout is overly hard or oily but can work well in normal circumstances.
Whom to hire: Look to a professional tile layer or tile contractor for this job, or a regrouting specialist if there is one in your area. Be sure to choose someone with a license and insurance. Your local tile supplier can probably provide a few good names. If you’re not sure who sells tile, the Houzz listings for tile manufacturers and showrooms in your area can be a good place to start your research, Potter suggests.
Cost range: Materials aren’t expensive, but labor rates can be $250 to $600 per day, depending on the location in the country.
Typical project length: Two to four days for an 8-by-10-foot bathroom
Permit: Not typically required
Best time to do this project: Since it’s an indoor project, any time of the year is fine.
How to get started: Assess your tile situation. Are the grout lines large enough for you to tackle? Do you feel comfortable using power tools? Then decide whether you’ll begin researching tile contractors and regrouters or get started on the job yourself.
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Get Grout Magically Clean — Stains and All
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Typical project length: Two to four days for an 8-by-10-foot bathroom
Permit: Not typically required
Best time to do this project: Since it’s an indoor project, any time of the year is fine.
How to get started: Assess your tile situation. Are the grout lines large enough for you to tackle? Do you feel comfortable using power tools? Then decide whether you’ll begin researching tile contractors and regrouters or get started on the job yourself.
More
Get Grout Magically Clean — Stains and All
Browse tile styles in the Shop section
Find tile pros near you
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Both Dremel tool or diamond blade are a bad idea, Dremels are way too time consuming and both have a god chance of scratching or damaging the tile. The tool to use is an oscillating multitool with a grout blade.
Article correction: Minot, North Dakota
I am glad to see this article and may try some of the suggestions. I have " white " grout and large white kitchen floor tiles laid in a broken running pattern. It was beautiful for about a week and began to stain quite early on. The tile setter did such a beautiful even job and the tiles were not cheap. I've tried lots of things but could never get it white again. I did buy a grout painting kit and crawled around painting the lines. It took weeks and was soon dirty again.
I find an oxyclean paste does help with the dirt but it makes the floor slippery while I am using it. I am older and should not invite falls. I'm still regretting that I did not go with a nice Saltillo tile with Talavera inserts for 3 X the price. But I cannot countenance a tear out. I am going to try some of the newer paints and sealants recommended by name. Thanks.