Ceramic tile is one of the most versatile and attractive finishes for countertops, shower and tub walls and floors. Tile is durable and with regular maintenance, will continue to look good for years.
The tile itself doesn’t require much maintenance. A little regular cleaning with a damp cloth along with some mild detergent should be all that’s required.
On the other hand, the grout that surrounds the tile is where most homeowners spend their energy. Regular cleaning of the grout is only part of the overall maintenance job.
The grout, composed of sand and Portland cement, is not only decorative, but also minimizes the amount of moisture that could travel behind the tile to the substrate.
Over time, grout will develop cracks. Some of these cracks will be large enough to see with the naked eye and may even result in chipping or displacement, leaving large caverns for water to pool.
While these cracks are obviously important to repair, it is the hundreds of tinier, almost invisible fractures that are of equal concern. It is through these small fractures that water is sucked into the substrate via capillary action.
Unlike most tile installation projects, regrouting tile is not something that generally requires a professional. With the proper tools, a little patience and a lot of elbow grease, it’s a project that can be accomplished in a weekend and for a minimal investment.
The best way to begin is by gathering the tools and materials required, which include a grout saw, gloves, safety goggles, a vacuum with a small suction attachment, a grout trowel, a sponge, a bucket, some cheesecloth and grout sealer.
Make sure that the tile and grout are both completely dry before beginning this project. Avoid using water in the area where the work is to be performed for at least a couple of days in advance.
Once the area has dried, use a grout saw to remove approximately the top 1/8-inch layer of grout. The grout saw is a small hand-held tool that has a short (about 1 1/2 inch) coarse blade. It looks like a skinny toothbrush.
The grout is removed by working the blade back and forth in the joint using caution not to go too deep or damage the surrounding tile. It is here that the gloves, safety goggles and dust mask come in handy.
After the entire upper layer of all of the grout has been removed, the entire area, including tile, should be thoroughly vacuumed to remove the excess.
A new layer of grout can now be placed over the grout that remains.
While grout can be purchased premixed and ready for application, it is typically found in a dry powdered state that requires mixing on the site. Our preference is for the latter. It allows for a greater selection of colors and can be mixed to the preferred consistency.
The grout should be mixed with water in accordance with the instructions provided by the manufacturer. The addition of both a bonding agent and a sealer will make the grout more impervious to water and will improve its elasticity, making it less likely to crack under normal conditions.
Once mixed, the grout should be installed with a hard rubber grout trowel. The grout should be forced into the joints with the trowel in a diagonal direction to the tile.
Any excess grout should be wiped off with a damp sponge, which is wrung out frequently to keep the tile clean and grout free. Any grout that may remain on the tile will dry to a haze and should immediately be wiped off with cheesecloth.
Finally, after the grout has had the opportunity to dry (a week or so) the entire surface should be sealed with a high grade tile and grout sealer. This, too, will add to the waterproofing of the surface and will help keep the tile and grout looking good indefinitely. A sealer should be applied at least once annually.
For tips from James and Morris Carey, visit www.onthehouse.com. The Careys are also on KRKO (1380 AM) from 6 to 10 a.m. every Saturday.
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