Any tips or advice on my shower grout repair process?
Hey everyone! I’m gearing up for my next project – fixing up the shower grout. Take a look at the cracks and crumbles in the picture. Before I dive in, I wanted to bounce my plan off the group to make sure I’ve got all my bases covered since this is my first time attempting this type of repair.
– Start by giving the shower a good clean
– Cover the tub with plastic and tape it up to trap any dust and debris
– Use a grout saw to remove the damaged grout (I’m skipping the drill bit)
– Grab a grout brush to tidy up the areas I just cleared out
– Wipe away the dust and debris from the grout lines with a slightly damp sponge
– Apply pre-mixed grout with a grout float at a 45-degree angle, working in small sections. Wipe off any excess with a damp sponge to prevent any haze on the tiles.
– Seal the gap between the tile and tub with bath silicone caulk all along the edge.
– Let everything dry out for 24-48 hours
– Grab some 511 impregnator sealer and a sealer kit or a towel, coat the grout and wipe off any extra
That sounds like a good idea to me
Had a good plan, I think I’d go with an acrylic grout
Why go with that instead of using silicone between the tub and the tile, ?
Doesn’t use traditional caulking in wet areas, he primarily uses mold-resistant acrylic grout which is easier to clean and won’t stain. That’s all my contracting team uses in showers. The reason your grout is popping and cracking is because it’s the old style sanded or sandless grout. Trust me, go with the acrylic grout.
Just to clarify, the reason my grout isn’t popping out is because I use high-quality silicone caulk at the junction of the wall and tub.
In the third step of the plan, it mentioned removing cracked and crumbling grout. It stated that the grout needed to be taken out and regrouted. Confusing, right?
Hey, it wasn’t me! I wasn’t the one who asked the question. I just gave some suggestions and inquired about acrylic bathtub caulk. Personally, I’ve found that silicone works best between the tile and the tub, while I use unsanded grout between the tiles themselves.
I’d eliminate anything that requires grout because it’s a hassle and needs to be redone frequently
I enjoy it when a plan comes together ❤️
Sounds great! Many new grouts do not require sealing. The packaging will indicate this.
Avoid using pre-mixed grout, it’s not reliable. Other than that, your plan sounds solid.
‘t forget to fill the tub before applying caulk, it will make your life easier later on
Recommends caulking the seam between the tile and the tub
If you want to freshen up old grout, start by scrubbing the grout lines with a stiff-bristled brush. It can make a big difference in brightening the grout and is a good step to include in the cleaning process.
You should also consider grout caulking the corners since that’s typically where the grout tends to crack. Using a multi tool with the grout tool instead of doing it by hand can save you some extra work, I highly recommend it.
That makes sense, if the space is 1/8” or smaller, go for Unsanded grout. Remember to seal the area and wear a mask when removing old grout
The response was directed to you, not the person who originally posted. I was referring to the plan mentioned in the original post