DIY regrouting help

[smallblueplanet]

Okay this isn't something I've ever considered doing before, selling up & moving on seems easier than tile grouting to me!

So the tiles in the bathroom need regrouting, the grout will not scrub clean and I see no point in bleaching the grout temporarily clean. What's the best way to regrout, any tips and recommended tools? Help please...

[Bigmallly]

Depends how you want to do it, manually or mechanically & how much you want to spend.
Here are a couple of links to the kind of tools available.

Easy Grout - Grout removal is effortless with easy grout removal tool

Draper 49420 Soft Grip Grout Removal Tool: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

[smallblueplanet]

Unfortunately I'm looking to spend as little as possible whilst buying stuff that still does the job...

Was looking at one of these,

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vitrex-2422-...0599665&sr=1-1

how hard are they to use? Is the scraping difficult/noisy (am thinking noises like 'nails down blackboard' type thing)? How much grout do you have to take out? Will new grout 'stick' to old if you don't remove it all...etc...

[Bigmallly]

It looks ok but as the review mentions getting new blades may pose a problem, you only need to take about 1/8th" out but the more you can remove, the better. Yes new grout will bond to old grout, just make sure you get rid of any mould as it will come back through.

[smallblueplanet]

Thanks Bigmallly. Looking at the first mechanised de-grouter, is there any sort of an attachment do you know, for an electric drill?

[Bigmallly]

I don't think so as you could easily chip the tile then you would end up replacing tiles as well. There are electric tools available as in the previous link which you get 3 different size bits for various gaps but I wouldn't gamble using anything with an elctric drill, unless you have a very steady hand.

[northepaul]

did this in my kitchen - there were some original tiles which I wanted to preserve when I re-tiled. All I did was use a scaper like this one and some elbow grease....
Then I refilled with new grout. As long as the original tiles are fairly secure, it should be quite easy.

[Two_Sheds]

I just covered my grubby mouldy bathroom grout with Wickes grout whitener (£4)

it did the trick. Grout used to be orange (mould) now it's brilliant white again

[smallblueplanet]

I just covered my grubby mouldy bathroom grout with Wickes grout whitener (£4)

it did the trick

Trouble is the reviews on Wickes site slate it.

Grout Whitener - Tile Maintenance - Tile Accessories -Tiles & Floors - Wickes

How long ago did you do it 2-sheds?

[SueA]

I scraped the worst of the old black grout out with a Stanley knife & then used grout whitener over it, can't remember the brand, I think it might have been Polycell, it was in a tube from the local hardware shop & I ended up using a couple of tubes for the corner where the shower is, & I smeared it on with my fingers using rubber gloves.

[Two_Sheds]

How long ago did you do it 2-sheds?

Yeah, I saw those reviews. I did it last year, they're still white

[bigt1888]

i would scrape as much of the old stuff as i could with a large gauge screwdriver or stanley blade and re-grout over the top with new grout.

just dont be to heavy handed when you wash the excess grout off as after it has dried you can buff any rough bits off with a pot scourer (plastic type so you dont damage the tile surface)

[smallblueplanet]

Thanks for all the advice everyone...you're almost making it sound easy!

[toastie]

Unfortunately need to do this myself but not until the spring over a small part of the bathroom wall where the water hits it from the shower. Just plan to scratch out some of the old grout, mix up some new grout and apply it. Think it should work as my ex boyfriend was a ceramic tiler and thats what they do.