Instead, you should apply grout in small sections of around 3'x3' and then remove the excess grout from that section before moving on to another one. Don't wait too long to remove the excess grout or it will become dry and difficult to remove from the surface of the tile.
Make sweeping arcs and work the grout completely into all the joints between the tiles. You can also use your grout float to wipe away excess grout as you go. Work in sections, rather than trying to grout the entire wall or floor of tile at once.
Grout will wear away over time as you clean your shower and from age. Unless you remodel the entire area, you will need to regrout the shower and other areas from time to time. Grout serves an important purpose, but it is not a complicated process.
ANSWER. ANSWER - It is possible to grout over existing grout if there is enough depth to do so. 1/8 inch depth may or may not be adequate depending on the type of grout used. A latex modified grout may work, but you have to properly clean the existing grout to ensure the new grout adequately bonds.
You don't even need to fully remove all the old grout before you put a new layer of grout on, if you do the proper work to prepare it. While you absolutely will have to remove some of your existing grout, with a little grunt work and some solid preparation, you can get this job done in a weekend.
However, you must make sure you are re-grouting with the same type of grout you originally used. If not, the second layer will not adhere well to the first and you will have to do the same job over again in a few months' time.
You don't have to remove all of your old grout to apply the new grout. The new grout can be applied right over the top of the existing grout. You will need a grout removal tool, which is a small tool with a sharp blade capable of chipping away the grout.
This is why you should consider regrouting shower tiles every six months. This is a quick and budget-friendly fix that can restore your bathroom's previous glow immediately. You should know that you need to call in a professional to do the tile regrouting for you.
When Should You Regrout Your Tile? Grout doesn't last forever. You can expect a lifespan between eight and sixteen years. Its lifespan will vary depending on how you treat your shower.
Re-grouting is more affordable than retiling as far as bathroom flooring options go. This DIY project can be done in about four hours, which makes it much faster than retiling.
Epoxy grout is water resistant and made from resins and fillers that help it work like a sealing adhesive. Epoxy grout is a better choice for showers, kitchen, bathrooms, and other damp areas because it is stain resistant and requires no sealing, unlike cement-based grout.
Don't spread too much grout at once
And once it does start to harden, you'll really have to hustle to get it cleaned off the tile and get the joints shaped before the grout turns rock hard. Avoid this problem by grouting small areas at a time. Start by spreading grout onto a 3 x 3-ft. area.
If you choose to pause grouting and continue after, here are some tips to help the grout blend in nicely: Don't leave any excess grout, including the bits of extra grout on the edges. Make sure all of the grout is cleaned off (other than a bit of the filmy haze on the tile!)
If your grout is visibly cracked or crumbling, it's likely going to be letting water behind your tiles. Even if your grout doesn't appear to be damaged, if it's not water-resistant it could potentially be the source of the leak.
For example, if the grout is improperly mixed with too much water or additives, it could leave air pockets after the grout has fully dried. These make the grout weak and brittle, leading to cracks. Grout can also crack if too little adhesive is used to install the tiles.
If you have cracked shower grout, two potential problems come into play. Water will make its way behind the surface of your tile. This can lead to mold growth that you cannot see but might make you feel ill. Failing shower grout can also lead to water damage by those same means.
The average cost to regrout a shower falls around $900, but you could spend as much as $2,000 on materials and labor or as little as $55 if you decide to DIY the project. Those little sections between your bathroom tiles have a way of cracking and discoloring over time.
Shower regrouting done by a professional company will typically take a day to each shower and the cost can range from $900 to $1800 depending on the skills of the contractor, the materials used and the size of the shower.
Regrouting is the best option when tiles and grout begin to show signs of discoloration or the stains are so deep that they cannot be removed. As grout ages, it naturally deviates from its original color. If the white grout turns yellow or is covered with stains, you must regrout very soon.
While you will not need to remove all of the existing grout before applying the new epoxy grout, you will need to create a channel that is large enough for the new material to cure in. Generally, this is a depth of at least 2 millimeters.
Myth #5: Sealing tile is not as important as sealing grout!
It's just as important to seal porous tile as it is to seal grout! If it's that simple, then why don't we seal all tile surfaces? Well, sealing is not necessary for all tiles, as all tile surfaces are not the same.