Tile Grout: Should You Replace or Repair?
“I love the tile in my master bathroom. We installed it several years ago, it’s been easy to care for, and it’s a great color that goes with everything. The problem is with the grout. We chose a lighter grout to compliment it, and no matter how hard I scrub on it, it still looks dirty and stained. Should I replace it or repair it? What’s my best course of action to enjoy my tile for many more years?”
Grout is a mixture of water and cement, with the addition of sand, finely ground gravel, and color. It comes eihter in a powder form, or ready as a premix. It’s used to fill in the gaps between the tiles, and can be used wherever you choose to install your tiles: on the floors, walls, backsplashes or countertops.
Grout provides a number of functions:
- Levels out height differences between the tiles to make a smooth surface
- Creates a barrier between the rows of tiles to prevent moisture, food, dirt or debris from accumulating
- Bonds the tiles together to create a harder, stronger surface
While discolored or dirty grout may be unattractive, if it’s in good shape the appearance can be changed. Start with a good scrubbing with water and a cleaner. Rinse and allow to dry. If it still has stains you can purchase a grout pen that will allow you to spread a layer of “paint” on top of the grout, giving it a uniform look. Two coats may be necessary for badly stained grout.
If the grout goes beyond appearance, and shows signs of wear through cracking, crumbling, or is missing, you’ll need to remove it and either repair it in sections, or replace it altogether. Broken or cracked grout will not provide a barrier against moisture, and will allow water to seep behind the tile. This will eventually result in loosened tiling, and can cause mold to develop behind the tile.
When the tile was installed, did you keep extra grout? If so, repairing can be a simple process of replacing it with existing grout. If not, you can bring in your grout to attempt to match it with a current color on hand. If you can’t find the perfect shade, it is possible to adjust the grout color slightly by adding more water for a lighter shade, less for a slightly darker shade.
In some cases it may be better for replacement. To remove all the grout from the area and check to ensure the tiles are properly laid and maintained, hiring a tiling contractor can provide you with the best results.
Have additional questions about your grout?