What grout brand to use?

[DeniseM]

I want to regrout areas of my low-end ceramic tile bathroom floor. I did it a year ago using a pre-mixed grout, and now see cracks and gaps in the grout lines. I know now from reading on this site that I want to use non-sanded, non-pre-mixed grout. But should I go to Home Depot and buy off the shelf, or go to a real tile store and buy a product there. I don't need to color the grout, just want the best I can get for the job.

By the way, let me say that I searched around this site to try to find the answer without posting. I even tried The Liberry :). Did I miss something?

And while I am at it, is there a tutorial here for grout-replacing do-it-yourselfers? I can find the info elsewhere on the web, but this is the site that everyone seems to reference when it comes to tile talk.

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[Davestone]

I'm afraid that premixed will continue to deteriorate even after you patch grout. What is your grout spacing? I'm sure there is regrout info, but since virtually no tileman wants to or will there won't be much. but i'll stay with you on this if you keep posting,or one of us will. :)

[John Bridge]

Hi Denise, Welcome aboard. :)

Our tutorials are pretty much in person. :) The grout you want is sold at Home Depot. It is called dry wall tile grout. They have it in white and about a half dozen colors. The brand is Custom. It's good stuff.

But as Dave said, since you originall used the so-called pre-mixed grout, you'll continue to have problems. You should remove all of that garbage and go back with the wall tile grout (which is un-sanded).

[DeniseM]

The grout spacing is quite narrow, I'm guessing 1/8 inch. I tried using the Dremel to remove the grout last time, but a hand held grout saw gave me more control and fewer OOPS.

Is there a trick to getting the new grout deeply into the cracks? Like pushing harder on the float?

Or maybe I should be sawing away more of the old grout? With the narrow spacing, it isn't easy, so I only removed what seemed to be loose.

Thanks for the advice. I will go shopping for the Custom brand of grout. It is funny they call it dry wall tile grout when it is going on the floor.

[John Bridge]

Denise,

There are many wierd things in our trade. Some of the people are wierd, too. Not me, of course. Watch out for people with names like CX, Flatfloor, BB Camp and especially Dave M. All wierd. And there are others. ;)

Wall grout goes in joints that are smaller than an eighth of an inch. Some of those joints happen to be on the floor. :)

You need to get the old stuff down about 2/3 of the way, else you'll continue to have problems. The Grout saw works, as you know. In really tight joints I've scratched grout out with a utility knife. Buy lots of extra blades, and be careful not to scratch up the edges of the tiles. I know it's not easy, but it's the only way it will work.

Then apply the new grout with the rubber float. If you've removed enough old material, you'll be fine. Let the new grout stand about 10 minutes and begin wiping with a sponge. Keep the sponge wrung out tightly. Don't want a lot of excess water. Keep working at it until the joints look good. You may have to wipe with clean water after about 10 minutes or so. After everything is dry, buff the tiles off with a dry cloth. ;)

[doitright]

Lennox has a new utility knife blade out that works extremely well. The tips don't break so easy either. ;)

[claycarson]

Denise -

If you feel like spending $750 or so, Fein makes an excellent tool for what you are doing. It's called a 'caulking cutter' and it comes with a diamond blade that runs another $120 or so. Does a great job on grout removal.

Dremel will work if you spend enough time. Make sure not to 'push' it, only 'pull' at a 30 degree angle. Yeah, it really is that slow.

Yes, you can push the grout in aggressively with the float. No harm will be done by pushing hard, and it will help in getting it in deep. But notice the posts above that you must have enough of a channel to keep it in. Better a bit too deep than not deep enough.

It's not easy to find one, but some contractors will do regrouts..you may have to convince them you are willing to pay what it's worth. Most people who have never tried it don't understand how much work it is.