Removing grout

[cbrassel]

This is my first post and I love this site. I have a house that is only 3 years old. I have a tan tile and they installed white grout. The grout was sealed but looks brown after 3 years from all the dirt. I have tried to clean the grout but does not look the same. Would you recommend that I stain the grout another color or tear the grout out and try another color. Which would be easier and cost effective. Thanks for your help.

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[groutkleen]

Do not remove the grout, re-color it! Not only will it change the color, but also seal the grout too

[doitright]

Hi cbrassel, Welcome! :)

Could you share a 1st name with us? :shades:

What methods and products have you tried?

Do you know what sealer was used, and how long ago was it applied?

How have you been maintaining the shower tile & grout?

Does the grout darken when it gets wet?

This will help point us in a direction to solve your problem.

[cbrassel]

My name is Curtis. This is tile that is in our kitchen and the tile is a tan color. The grout is a bright white color. I sealed the tile 2 times with a sealer from the local tile store but not sure of the brand. I have used different cleaners but the onlly luck I have had to make it white again is to really scrub hard with a large brush on the grout lines. I have noticed that the grout now has little pot marks and holes in the grout. The tile and grout are only 3 years old. I dont know if the builder did something wrong or if I am the cause by scrubbing so hard. I just want my tile to look nice. I think I might try to stain it white??? It does not darken when it is wet. I maintain it by scrubbing it with the brush and cleaner every 6 months or so. Thanks

[claycarson]

Curtis, the 2 options are cleaning and color sealing. Both or either may work for you. Regrouting sanded grout on floors is not really an option.

For cleaning, you can often get a carpet cleaning company to use their equipment to do the work. Many of them use a wand attachment specifically made for tile and grout cleaning.

If that alone does not work, the option that groutkleen mentioned is virtually guaranteed to work. Color sealers are very durable epoxy style coatings that create a very cleanable, very uniform look. Still a good idea to clean first, though, so they have a clean surface to adhere to.

Since we're a do it yourself forum, though, I should point out that all part of this could be done by yourself if you have some time and willingness to roll up sleeves. If you wants the details, just say so and we can provide them.