Regrouting tile counter top

[sueavellar]

Our porcelin tile counter top is 14 years old. In an area close to the sink some grout has eroded and needs to be re-grouted. I assume I would need to remove as much of the old grout as I can, dry it well, the apply new grout.
Assuming this is correct can you please advise me on the following:
What can cause this erosion located near the sink, water is prevalent, and an area where most food cutting has been done?
What is the best way to remove the old grout and how much is necessary to remove?
What is the best grout for this tile counter top?
Is there an issue with the new grout and the old grout which has not eroded?

My husband and I did the tile floor, counter top and backsplash with the total help of this Forum. We knew nothing, studied the others questions and the responses and asked our own questions until we felt we knew what to do. So, everything has worked out very well in all areas except the this countertop area. Thank you very much for all the support and great technical advice,
Sue and Karl

[cx]

Welcome, Sue.

Much depends upon the type of grout you have.

If you have cementitious grout, deterioration in areas where food preparation is done would not be surprising as many foods contain acids which can erode the cement over time.

Re-grouting will require that you remove the existing grout to a depth of a minimum of 2/3rds the thickness of your tiles. There will be a "cold joint" where your new grout abuts your existing grout and I don't know a way to avoid that. The new color is unlikely to match the old, but I bet you knew that.

If you have something other than cementitious grout, some of the above may change.

My opinion; worth price charged.

[Kman]

There are a number of tools for that job. What is the grout joint width? A picture or two may help.

[sueavellar]

Could not get thru installing INFRA..... So, no pics.
But most grout widths are 1/8". One small grout width is ~3/16".
Looking closely at the poor area the overall size is ~18" X 16". Looking at the area the 18" side abuts a wood trim sealed with caulking and looks ok. The right side goes under the sink edge. Looking from the sink to the left is the worst portion. The total length of the bad gaps is ~30".
The appearance of these gaps is worrisome. The grout for about 15" is quite deep and powdery. It is not one continuous gap, because there is a checkerboard tile pattern. Some of the erosion for a 4" length appears to be close to or at the bottom of the tile.
I will let you digest this description, which may not be adequate for you, await your comments and try to figure out the INFRA... program to get some pictures.
Thank you for any assistance so far. Sue

[Tool Guy - Kg]

Originally Posted by sueavellar

Could not get thru installing INFRA..... So, no pics.

INFRA? Are you, by chance meaning to say IrfanView, the picture resizing program?

[sueavellar]

Yes, had a lot of difficulty getting photos to appear. Then, no luck getting them attached to the post. Sue

[Tool Guy - Kg]

If you’re taking the pics with your phone, email them to yourself instead of trying to immediately post them from your “camera roll”. When you do so, elect to send them at a lower resolution and…presto! …they will be small enough to post. 6Mb is the max size limit.

[sueavellar]

EUREKA ( I hope)
Attached are two photos. One is the area containing the bad groat gaps; the other a photo of the lower right section with the deepest erosion. I have covered the area with plastic and duct tape for now. Hopefully this will help and be able to recommend how best to remove the necessary old groat and athe best type of grout to use. Thank you, Sue

[sueavellar]

I have to apologize for for any lack of information or clarity on our problem which has caused difficulty with any recommendations.
The problem does need immediate attention so off to HD. Thank you for your comments and solutions to posting photos. Sue

[Kman]

For removing grout from joints that size, there are a couple of tools I would use, if you have the power tools for these attachments.

This one will attach to an oscillating tool. Works great, but a little more expensive. Much easier to control than the other one below.


This one will attach to a reciprocating saw. It works fast, but it can be difficult to control. There's a hand tool that looks very similar.

[sueavellar]

Thanks Kevin
My husband has a saw, but it is fairly large. He wonders if he can control it. He will be going out too see what will be best for us.
If we do succeed, what grout do you recommend we use? We do not recall what was used. It was one that the Forum recommended so it was a good one. Sue

[ss3964spd]

Hi, Sue,

If I were to tile a kitchen countertop I'd want to use an epoxy grout. But given that yours is existing, and seeing your tile, I'd say use a cement based grout and seal it after it cures.

Custom Building Products "Prism" is often recommend as easy to use and consistent in color. Should do the trick for you.

[sueavellar]

Thanks very much Dan and Kevin. The eroded grout came out without much difficulty. We will remove some good grout to abut well , hopefully. Now to finish the work. Sue and Karl

___________________________________________________________

I am lost and don't know where I am. I am going to look for myself. If I come back before I return please hold me here.

[sueavellar]

Still removing some good grout with an old screwdriver and a box cutter. Slow but working. There is only 15" a run X >1/8" gap.

I have 2 questions please: 1. Is it ok to scratch the surface slightly to remove discolored good grout lines or grout cleaner? and what would be the best cleaner.
2. I was looking at grout sealers at HD and I was surprised that one sealer was about $150 for a pint! What do you recommend for a counter top sealer. ( tile is porcelin) ( please, not the $150 one)

When this counter top was done ~ 15 years ago I am not sure if a sealer was used. My guess is that it was as the Tile Forum helped us during all stages of our kitchen remodeling.

[cx]

1. If you like the look after you scratch the surface, it's fine with me.

2. If you plan to use a cementitious grout for your kitchen counter top, I'd recommend what my first tile guy told me thirty-something years ago: "Seal it with used cooking oil because that's what it's gonna look like anyway." One of the few applications where I think epoxy grout might be a really good idea.

None of those sealers are gonna keep your cementitious grout clean long term.

My opinion; worth price charged.