When does grout need to be replaced instead of cleaned?
Cleaning and sealing handles grout that is dirty. Regrouting handles grout that is damaged. The signs are easy to spot:
- Cracks running along the joints, especially in corners
- Grout that has crumbled or fallen out, leaving gaps
- Black mold that comes back within days of cleaning
- Grout that has turned yellow or brown all the way through
- Loose caulk or missing grout where the wall meets the tub or shower pan
Damaged grout is more than cosmetic. Even hairline cracks let water through to the wall or the thinset under the floor. In a shower that can mean soaked drywall and mold behind the tile. On a floor it can loosen the bond and lead to hollow or tented tiles.
How regrouting works
We begin by removing the old grout with a specialized tool that clears the joint without affecting the tile. The joints are vacuumed clean, then new grout is packed in and tooled smooth. Corners and the tub or pan joint get caulk instead of grout, because those spots flex and grout cracks there.
Most showers are finished in a day. Floors depend on the area.
Regrouting compared with retiling
| Factor | Regrouting | Retiling |
|---|---|---|
| Keeps your existing tile | Yes | No |
| Typical shower time | 1 day | 3 to 5 days plus demolition |
| Mess and dust | Minimal | Significant |
| Cost | A fraction of a remodel | Full remodel pricing |
| Right when | Tile is sound, grout has failed | Tile is loose, cracked or you want a new look |
If your tile is sound, regrouting gives you a shower or floor that looks new for a fraction of a remodel. If the tile is failing too, we will say so and talk about bathroom and shower tile options instead.
The health side of moldy grout
Black mold in grout is a respiratory irritant, and the bleach most people use to fight it is hard on your lungs and on the grout. Regrouting removes the mold with the grout. Sealing the new grout afterward keeps moisture out so it does not come back, and you can stop using harsh chemicals in the shower.
After regrouting: seal it
New grout is as porous as the old grout was. Color sealing it in the same visit protects the work, locks in the color and carries our 10-year guarantee. It is the single best way to make a regrout last.
