Difficulty Level: Moderate
Time Required: 1–2 hours
Estimated Cost: £8–£15
Over time, water exposure, daily moisture, and harsh cleaning chemicals degrade the grout lines between kitchen and bathroom tiles. Cracked, crumbly, or mould-stained grout looks unsightly and allows water to seep behind tiles, causing hidden damp and loosened plasterboard.
Regrouting does not require re-tiling the entire wall. By raking out the compromised top layer and floating fresh, anti-mould waterproof grout into the channels, you can make tiled surfaces look brand new in an afternoon.
Tools & Materials Checklist
Tools
- Grout Rake or Carbide-Tipped Grout Removal Tool (approx. £4–£7 at Screwfix, Toolstation, or B&Q)
- Rubber Grout Float or Squeegee
- Grout Sponge or Large Dense Cellulose Sponge
- Clean Bucket of Fresh Water
- Microfibre Cloth
- Safety Glasses & Dust Mask
Materials
- Ready-Mixed Wall Tile Grout (e.g., UniBond Anti-Mould Wall Tile Grout or Mapei Mapesil in Ice White or Ivory)
- Sugar Soap Spray or Mild Detergent
DIY Warning: Take your time when using a metal grout rake. Keep the blade centered in the channel to avoid chipping the glazed edges of ceramic or porcelain tiles.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prep and Clean the Tile Surface
- Spray the tiled area with sugar soap and wipe down thoroughly to cut through soap scum and grease.
- Dry the area with a towel so you have clear visibility of the joints.
Step 2: Rake Out the Old Grout
- Put on your safety glasses and dust mask.
- Hold the grout rake firmly at a slight angle in the joint channel.
- Pull the blade along the grout line using steady, moderate pressure.
- You do not need to strip down to the bare wall—aim to remove a depth of approximately 2mm to 3mm. This creates a deep enough recess for the new grout to anchor securely.
- Brush away loose dust and vacuum the joints using a narrow nozzle attachment.
Step 3: Apply the Fresh Grout
- Scoop a generous amount of ready-mixed grout onto your rubber grout float.
- Hold the float at a 45-degree angle to the wall.
- Spread the grout diagonally across the tile joints, pressing firmly to pack the channels completely without leaving air pockets.
- Wipe off excess paste by skimming the float across the tiles at a 90-degree angle, still working diagonally so the edge doesn’t gouge the wet joints.
Step 4: Sponge and Shape the Joints
- Wait 15 to 20 minutes for the grout to firm up (it should feel tacky, not wet).
- Submerge your large grout sponge in fresh water and squeeze it out until barely damp.
- Wipe gently in circular motions across the tile faces to remove the heavy residue.
- Lightly run the curved edge of the sponge along each joint line to smooth and contour the grout neatly below the tile edge.
- Rinse the sponge frequently in clean water to prevent dragging paste back across the surface.
Step 5: Buff the Dry Haze
- Leave the wall alone for 1 to 2 hours. A thin, powdery white film (grout haze) will appear across the tiles.
- Take a completely dry, clean microfibre cloth and buff the tiles with firm, circular motions. The powdery haze will wipe right off, leaving the tile glaze gleaming and the new grout lines crisp and uniform.
- Allow at least 24 hours to cure before exposing the area to direct water or shower steam.