How to Repair Grout

Removing Damaged Grout

Clean the damaged grout with white vinegar and water. That way you can see the exact color of the grout and buy new grout that matches it. Mix one part white vinegar and one part water in a bowl or bucket. Then, dip a clean toothbrush in the mixture and scrub the damaged grout until all the dirt and grime comes off. Wipe away the excess mixture with a cloth.

Buy new grout that matches the color of the damaged grout when it's dry. Now that the damaged grout is clean, you should be able to get an exact color match. The new grout you buy should come in powder form. You can buy grout at your local home improvement store. It may help to bring home color samples from the store and then hold them up to your grout to find a perfect color match.

Use a grout saw to remove the top ⁄8 inch (0.32 cm) of damaged grout. A grout saw is a small handheld blade that fits between the gaps in tile. Use a grout saw that has a blade with a width that will fit between the tiles you're working on. Place the grout saw over the damaged grout and bring it back and forth, like you’re scrubbing away the old grout. Continue until the top layer of the damaged grout has been broken up into pieces. Wear a dust mask while you’re removing the old grout. EXPERT TIP "Always wear safety glasses, because grout chips fly through the air in small granules." Norman Raverty Norman Raverty Professional Handyman Norman Raverty is the owner of San Mateo Handyman, a handyman service in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over 27 years of experience, Norman has expertise in all five of the general building trades (carpentry, ceramic tile, drywall, electrical, plumbing). Norman Raverty Norman RavertyProfessional Handyman

Vacuum up the broken pieces of the damaged grout. Use the hose attachment on your vacuum if it has one. Make sure all the pieces of the old grout are cleared out of the gap between the tiles before you add the new grout.

Applying New Grout

Mix the grout powder with water in a large bucket. Follow the mixing instructions that came with the grout. Don’t use more water than the manufacturer recommends or the grout may not work properly.

Use a grout float to fill the gap with the grout mixture. A grout float is a thick rubber pad with a handle on it that’s available at most home improvement stores. Scoop some of the grout mixture out of the bucket using the padded part of the grout float. Press the mixture down into the gap you’re repairing until it’s completely filled. Don’t worry if grout gets on the surrounding tiles. You’ll be able to clean it off later. EXPERT TIP "Patience is the key when doing re-grouting." Norman Raverty Norman Raverty Professional Handyman Norman Raverty is the owner of San Mateo Handyman, a handyman service in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over 27 years of experience, Norman has expertise in all five of the general building trades (carpentry, ceramic tile, drywall, electrical, plumbing). Norman Raverty Norman RavertyProfessional Handyman

Wipe away the excess grout with the edge of the grout float. Hold the float so it’s at a 45-degree angle with the floor. Slowly drag the edge of the float over the gap you filled to scrape up the excess grout and make the grout flush with the rest of the floor.

Let the grout dry for around 20-30 minutes. After 20-30 minutes, the grout should feel firm to the touch. Refer to the instructions that came with the grout for specific drying instructions.

Clean off the surrounding tiles with a damp sponge. Wet the sponge and squeeze out all the excess water before you use it. Don’t use a soaking wet sponge or you could damage the new grout. Press down lightly as you wipe the sponge over the new grout and any nearby tiles that got grout on them.