Before you decide to rip your bathroom wall tile, you may want to simply think about re-grouting your current tile to get your bathroom back in pristine condition.
Everyone knows exactly what we mean, once the grout between the bathroom tiles starts to darken and smell. It can be unsightly, itchy, and even cause significant water ingress resulting in considerable damage and may even result in you being much poorer. For the eight years that I have been a tiler, moldy grout and weak silicone can be the leading cause of major leaks and water damage in the apartments directly below.
Once the grout inside the shower area or around the tub becomes moldy and dark in color, cracks will develop and begin to leak water to the sheetrock behind, which can subsequently absorb it like a sponge and cause even more damage, and this could start to cost you a lot more than your hard-earned money. This can go unnoticed for a long time if you are not aware of the telltale signs and smells, by which time too much has passed and the downstairs ceiling has collapsed. I have come across it so often and I think most people A – will not understand how much damage it can be and B – will not appreciate how easy it is to repair. These are the two reasons why I am going to demonstrate the correct way to approach the problem. It can not only help you save money, but totally transform your dirty, smelly bathroom back to the way it was all those years.
I think a lot of people waste a lot of money completely re-coating the areas involved. However, re-grouting is often an inexpensive DIY solution to overcome the problem of making your bathroom more eye and nose friendly. There are a number of reasons why grouting can be a popular alternative to tile laying, including price, timing, and also how long the shower will be out of use while the work is underway.
The grouting procedure is straightforward, takes a couple of hours, makes it 100% leak proof and helps make your bathroom look brand new again, all for under £ 100. Sound good? Well, in this article we will look at precisely how to go about this project, as well as the advantages it offers and why hiring a qualified professional could, in fact, help you save money in the long run.
Tools needed
Everything can be purchased through your nearby DIY store
- grout float
- Anti-mildew waterproof grout for showers and wet rooms
- mixing tub
- mixing knife or mixing accessory for drilling
- Bosch 180e Multi Cutter with Grout Cutter Attachment
- tile sponge
- anti-mold silicone (if the sealant looks black and moldy)
- Aerosol Grout Sealer from Good Tile Store
- gloves
- dust mask
- safety glasses
- silicone (anti mold)
- glue gun
- Scotch tape
Re-grouting the tiling work
Get rid of the old and add something new!
Before starting work, you should wear your dust mask, gloves, and goggles. Safe practice at work is important!
1. To get started, you should start by setting the grout removal blade on a ‘bosch’ or ‘dremel’ multi-cutter and gradually cut each of the damaged grout lines by cutting the grout until you can easily see the initial color once more , or if you decide that you can actually remove all the affected grout back to the sheetrock based on the severity of the problem.
2. Wash off all dust from the cut, making sure the sponge reaches directly into the grout lines, removing all dust and dirt, as the grout will not hold up if left.
3. Mix the grout following the manufacturer’s recommendations. Using your mixing knife, put some grout on the end or edge of the grout float and begin working in diagonal sweeps pressing the grout directly into the lines that cover each line several times to make sure you have loaded the full depth of the line. Not filling to the full depth can result in cracks not to mention water ingress.
4. Leave on for 10-15 minutes according to manufacturer’s recommendations, after that, clean with the rough side of the grout sponge, alternatively, you can run a finger along the lines to make it very smooth.
5. Let it dry for 24 hours, just before finishing, use a clear spray sealer that will make it 100% waterproof for many years.
Renewing your silicone sealant around the bathtub or shower
1. Get rid of all the old silicone using a Stanley blade to remove the major lines and then a single blade to clean the rest. In my opinion, I have found it to be the most effective way to remove old silicone.
2. Work with masking tape to cover the top and bottom of where the new lines are likely to go.
3. First cut the top of the silicone tube, attach the nozzle, determine how thick the bead should be, and cut at a 45 degree angle at the nozzle.
4. Lock the gun at a 45 degree angle while gradually pressing the trigger and lower the lines to stop the gun at any time when needed. This alone is very challenging, however the masking tape prevents the bead from scrolling all over the place.
5. Remove the tape and lick your finger. Making sure it is completely wet, move your finger slowly and gradually down the line of silicone, stopping and licking again if the silicone starts to stick to your finger. This will leave a nice and elegant watertight seal.
Why hire a professional plumber or tiler?
There are many reasons why you should seek out a professional to handle the task. For starters, the expense because they will surely already have all the necessary tools to get the job done, which can easily help you save over £ 100. Second, simply the fact that they have probably done the same job hundreds of times and will usually guarantee the job they do, giving you the assurance that no downstairs neighbor is likely to knock on your door yelling that the ceiling drips water. In addition, the experience of the professional will leave the work with a top quality finish. Convenience is another main reason. Hiring a plumber or tiler allows you to take it easy, as you don’t need to add another demanding task to an already hectic schedule, as the plumber or tiler will provide you with a precise deadline for when the job is likely to be finished. . Although working with grout seems moderately straightforward, it is often difficult to know the best time to clean the grout after it has been laid, perhaps leaving indefinite grout on the face of the tile indefinitely.
Now that you know the basics of re-grouting, you may want to check out your own bathroom and find out if you think you have the self-confidence to tackle the task. However, rest assured that it can be finished for a reasonable price by calling a professional plumber or tiler.
