How To Fix Cracked Grout On Floor

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Grout is a cement-based paste that's used to fill up the gaps between tiles. If the grout betwixt your tiles is damaged, it can make your tiles look dull and old. Fortunately, you tin easily remove damaged grout and replace it with new grout so your tiles look brand new once more.

1

Make clean the damaged grout with white vinegar and water. That mode you can see the exact colour of the grout and buy new grout that matches information technology. Mix i part white vinegar and one office water in a bowl or bucket. And then, dip a clean toothbrush in the mixture and scrub the damaged grout until all the dirt and crud comes off. Wipe abroad the excess mixture with a textile.^[one]
2
Buy new grout that matches the colour of the damaged grout when it'southward dry. Now that the damaged grout is make clean, y'all should exist able to get an verbal color friction match. The new grout yous buy should come in powder form.^[2]
- You lot can buy grout at your local home improvement store.
- Information technology may help to bring home colour samples from the store and then hold them upward to your grout to observe a perfect color friction match.
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iii
Utilise a grout saw to remove the top ⁱ⁄₈ inch (0.32 cm) of damaged grout. A grout saw is a pocket-size handheld bract that fits between the gaps in tile. Use a grout saw that has a blade with a width that volition fit between the tiles you're working on. Place the grout saw over the damaged grout and bring it back and forth, like y'all're scrubbing abroad the old grout. Continue until the top layer of the damaged grout has been broken upwards into pieces.^[3]
- Wear a dust mask while you're removing the old grout.
Skilful TIP

"Ever habiliment safety glasses, because grout chips fly through the air in small granules."

Norman Raverty

Professional Handyman

Norman Raverty is the possessor of San Mateo Handyman, a handyman service in the San Francisco Bay Surface area. With over 27 years of feel, Norman has expertise in all five of the general building trades (carpentry, ceramic tile, drywall, electrical, plumbing).

Norman Raverty
Professional Handyman
4

Vacuum upward the cleaved pieces of the damaged grout. Use the hose attachment on your vacuum if information technology has one. Make certain all the pieces of the former grout are cleared out of the gap between the tiles before you add the new grout.^[4]

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i

Mix the grout pulverization with h2o in a big bucket. Follow the mixing instructions that came with the grout. Don't use more water than the manufacturer recommends or the grout may non work properly.^[v]
two

Use a grout float to fill the gap with the grout mixture. A grout float is a thick rubber pad with a handle on it that'south available at well-nigh domicile improvement stores. Scoop some of the grout mixture out of the bucket using the padded function of the grout float. Press the mixture downwards into the gap you're repairing until it's completely filled. Don't worry if grout gets on the surrounding tiles. Yous'll be able to make clean information technology off later.^[6]

EXPERT TIP

"Patience is the key when doing re-grouting."

Norman Raverty

Professional Handyman

Norman Raverty is the possessor of San Mateo Handyman, a handyman service in the San Francisco Bay Expanse. With over 27 years of feel, Norman has expertise in all five of the general building trades (carpentry, ceramic tile, drywall, electrical, plumbing).

Norman Raverty
Professional Handyman
iii

Wipe away the backlog grout with the border of the grout float. Hold the float so information technology's at a 45-degree angle with the floor. Slowly elevate the edge of the bladder over the gap you filled to scrape up the excess grout and make the grout flush with the rest of the floor.^[7]
iv
Let the grout dry for around xx-30 minutes. Afterward 20-thirty minutes, the grout should feel firm to the affect.^[8]
- Refer to the instructions that came with the grout for specific drying instructions.
five

Clean off the surrounding tiles with a clammy sponge. Moisture the sponge and clasp out all the excess water before you use it. Don't use a soaking wet sponge or you could impairment the new grout. Press down lightly as you wipe the sponge over the new grout and any nearby tiles that got grout on them.^[9]

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Things Y'all'll Need

White vinegar
Bucket
Toothbrush
Cloth
Grout
Grout saw
Vacuum
Dust mask
Grout float
Sponge

About This Article

Article Summary Ten

Before repairing your grout, clean it with i part white vinegar and one part water in lodge to make sure you're ownership the right colour grout. Once you lot have your color, use a grout saw to remove the tiptop 1/viii inch of the damaged grout, and and then vacuum up all the cleaved pieces. Use a grout float to fill up in the gap with new grout and flatten it so information technology'south flush with the residue of the floor. For more tips on repairing grout, like how to prepare the grout mixture and how to make clean off your tiles when you lot're finished, proceed reading!

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