- Epoxy grout is a great alternative to regular cement grouts as it never needs sealing and is highly stain resistant.
- When hiring a regrouting contractor, make sure they remove the old grout deep enough so the new grout can get a proper bond.
- The cheapest bid is not always the best value as they usually do not remove the old grout properly, resulting in poor installation of the new grout.
- Make sure your new grout is being sealed (if it's not an epoxy grout) with a professional high quality penetrating sealer.
If you're a home owner in Beaverton or Lake Oswego, we have some important tips for you:
Regrouting shower tile and kitchen countertops
Since the tile in your shower and kitchen countertops see more 'wear and tear' than other areas of your home, they need regrouting more frequently. Over the years, the cement grout recedes into the joint and begins to accumulate more dirt because the grout joint is not as full as it was when installed.
Sometimes, surfaces may need regrouting if the grout was not properly sealed or maintained. This may have caused permanent staining that cannot be removed during professional cleaning.
Beaverton Tile Regrouting
DeWolf Tile and Stone, located in Hillsboro Oregon, has 30 years of experience in the tile industry and offers regrouting and other tile and grout services to Beaverton, Lake Oswego and surrounding areas in Portland.
What is Regrouting?
Regrouting is the process of removing the old grout from the joints, cleaning the tile and the grout joints, then installing new grout.
Why is Regrouting tile necessary?
Over time, most cement grout wears down from use and harsh cleaning methods. This is a normal occurrence that can be corrected without having to remove the entire installation.
Process of Regrouting tile
Step 1 Removing old grout
Old grout is removed using special hand tools and rotary tools. Since the grout is softer than the tile, there is usually no damage done to the edge of the tiles. It is essential that a good portion of the grout be removed from the joint before regrouting; otherwise the new grout cannot properly bond to the joints of the tile and will peel or flake out of the joint. Beware- It is a common practice in the industry to simply "skim coat" over the old grout. While the new grout may appear to look good, in a few months, areas of the new grout may start to chip away from the surface because it never properly bonded.
Step 2 Deep cleaning
After the removal of the grout, the tiles and the grout joints need to be deep cleaned. This process is performed to remove any cleaner residues and dirt and prepares the surface for installation of the new grout.
Step 3 Apply the new grout
Depending upon the type of tile and the width of the joint, different types of grout can be used. On shower floors, DeWolf Tile and Stone usually prefer to use an epoxy grout. Epoxy grouts are a resin and hardener mixed with a colorant to provide a very strong and dense grout that is extremely stain resistant and never requires sealing. If an epoxy cannot be used in your project, then a high quality sanded or non-sanded grout can be applied instead.
Step 4 Applying grout sealer
If a cement grout is used, it will need to be sealed. Once the grout is dry, a penetrating sealer is applied. The sealer does not change the look of the grout but will make it resistant to water and oil, reduces the chances of staining and makes cleaning easier. (A sealer isn't necessary with epoxy grouts).
Most important tip
Regrouting is a specialized process that should be performed by an experienced professional in the tile industry, not a handyman or someone who "has done some tile work before". A bad grout job can make a good tile installation look terrible.
