DIY tile seam repair

In detail: DIY repair of tile seams from a real master for the site my.housecope.com.

There are situations that after a certain period of time some of the tiles may fall off, and others may crack. Therefore, do-it-yourself tile will be able to solve this unpleasant issue. Since the owner of the home himself will do everything right and conscientiously. The picture of the fallen off tile is found in almost all apartment owners. There are a number of main circumstances that led to these problems. Many of them are associated with the oversight of the worker, made by him during the laying of the tiles:

serious violations were committed in the preparation of the walls;
there was a defeat of the entire adhesive base due to poorly done finishing of the seams;
concomitant damage to the installation technology, which eventually caused cracks and chips;
the glue making procedure was grossly violated.

It is possible to avoid the upcoming tile repair only if the correct installation and operation work is carefully followed, and it is also important to properly care for the products.

It is known that a lot of unpleasant situations happen with tiles during operation, as a result of which its appearance deteriorates: greasy and dirty spots appear on the tiles, a small mesh of cracks appears, often tiles get chipped in the corners or have every chance of completely falling away from the wall. With the support of ordinary appliances, you can make cosmetic repairs to tiles without the help of professionals.

An excellent option for eliminating a large scratch that stands out unfavorably on an opaque surface can be an absolute tile change. But in the absence of funds, it is necessary to do the following steps that can hide this small flaw:

If the tile has completely become unusable, then it would be more correct to change it to a new one. In this case, you should carefully remove the deformed components, and then replace them with new ones.

To prevent damage to the adjacent tile, you first need to use a narrow drill or spatula to clean the tile joints. Further, a suitable part is simply drilled, as a result, it breaks up into small parts, and it is much easier to remove them. The removal itself is done with a chisel.

Video (click to play).

Over the years, tiles are subject to destruction, which were made with the use of poor grout. At the same time, dark mold can be found on the seams, especially in places with high humidity. If this happens, you should change the grout or make a separate repair of the damaged areas. When you need to renovate a fairly large area of tiled flooring, it is best to use the first option. The renewed grout will create the effect of a uniform coating. The old one is carefully removed with a sharp object. If the work is done in a hurry, you can destroy the adjacent tile. To avoid such troubles, the work is performed using a special wooden tool with a pointed tip.

It is known that tiles are not particularly exposed to chemicals, therefore they are able to retain their own shine for a long time. But in the end, it becomes necessary to radically revise the interior of the walls. For this, painting is widely used. First of all, the ceramics must be carefully sanded with sandpaper, then it is processed with acetone. The preparatory stage also includes a tile primer, thanks to which the color is better preserved. When all the mandatory recommendations are followed, you can proceed to the main stage - painting. Use a roller to gently apply paint over the entire wall area.

So, ceramic tiles, laid with their own hands in the process of repair, will serve for a certain period of time to the owners of the home, while saving the family's money.

Usually the main reason for renovation in a kitchen, bathroom or toilet is the need to replace the tiled surfaces on the walls and floors. Over time, they do not look so smart and new, which means they need to be replaced. However, do not rush to start repairs - try updating the joints between the tiles. It has been noticed that in 90% of cases it is the wear and tear of the tile joints that is the main reason that the tile looks old and untidy.

Look if there are darkened seams in the kitchen or bathroom, then it's time to start restoring them. In our article, we will show you how to update tile joints.

First, remove everything from the room that may interfere with you - remove cabinets, hangers, hooks from the walls and free the floor. If necessary, remove for a while the sink and even the toilet, you can dismantle the stove in the kitchen. Take measures immediately to protect yourself when working with acid cleaner, adhesives and cement. Wear rubber gloves only and use safety glasses.

The easiest and fastest method for restoring tile joints is to whitewash and paint them. But keep in mind that from such actions and the effect will last no more than six months and often the paint can only be used in dry rooms.

Another easy way to renew joints is to put a new grout on top of the old grout. This can only be done if the old joints are deep and there is at least 2mm of free space for the new grout to fit.

Paint for color restoration of inter-tile seams is on sale in any large construction supermarket. It is worth noting that it can be used not only to restore the color, but also to level it, if, for some reason, in a certain area of the tile, the seams have lost their color.

It is very simple to apply paint: you need to clean the surface of dirt, mold or plaque, apply paint to the seam, wait a few minutes until it dries a little and remove paint residues that have got on the tiles with a damp sponge.

The greatest effect will be given by the complete removal and replacement of the old grout with a new one.

Remove the old grout first. It is most convenient to use a special tool for this - a seam expander, which can be found in any hardware store. In general, any other suitable items can be used, but work carefully so as not to damage the edge of the ceramic tile.
Do not use excessive force during removal, usually old grout can be removed easily enough.

Sometimes it happens that the seams are sealed with a "powerful" cement compound. In this case, you will have to soften it and make it more pliable with an acidic cleaner. Dip a brush in it and apply to the seams. Wait a while for the cleaner to absorb. The old grout should now be easy to remove.

Don't worry that the cleaner can damage the tiles. Most modern acid cleaners are completely harmless to ceramics.

Thoroughly vacuum the cleaned surface, as crumbs and dust particles from the old solution could remain between the tiles.

Before renewing the joints between the tiles, thoroughly rinse the cleaned joints with soapy water and wait 24 hours until they dry. Now you can treat them with a penetrating primer.

Try to work intensively - special solutions for grouting quickly set. Therefore, make the consistency quite liquid and, picking up a rubber spatula, carefully rub the grout inward to fill the entire space. Then the grip will be better.

To form the seams, use a special tool with replaceable tips that can give the seams the profile you like.If you can't get such a set, use a rod of a suitable diameter with a round and smooth end, or you can try to work with a plastic handle from an old brush.

Hold the tool so that it touches the edge of two adjacent tiles while shaping the seam. Remove excess grout from the tile with a sponge or the same rubber trowel. Finally, wash the tiles after the composition has dried, but do not wait for it to dry completely, then it will be very difficult to clean the tiles. It is very convenient to wash the tiles with a dampened cloth.

Now we can consider that the process of restoration of the joints between the tiles is completed. But if you have repaired the inter-tile seams on the floor, then that's not all. The tiles must be covered with a special protective layer. If this is not done, then over time, cracks will appear at the seams and the need for repairs may again arise, and this will happen at intervals of once a year, and maybe more often. Therefore, timely seal the seams with a special compound. Now that's it - you can enjoy the result!

And although I had to work hard, fresh tile joints will delight the eye not only to you, but also to your guests for several years.

After a certain amount of time has passed, the grouting joints in the bathroom need to be updated. This is due not only to external aesthetics, but also to simple hygienic requirements. The older the grout is between the tiles, the less practical it is and the less it can withstand operational loads. Therefore, its reduction to the optimal level is necessary for the normal performance of its functions.

Prevention of contamination should be carried out on a regular basis, especially when it comes to the bathroom. It is best to thoroughly wipe down and sometimes rinse out the ceramic elements and the gaps between them. Although such maintenance is also unable to ensure a good surface condition, as due to constant cleaning, the mixture can become thinner. In order to determine whether the grout between the tiles needs to be updated, these signs should be taken into account:

darkening of the joints between tiles;
the composition began to crumble and crumble;
the presence of mold or mildew;
the appearance of dirt and grease.

It is worth remembering! If at least one of the above signs is present, then it is necessary to start cleaning the old grout in the bathroom.

An effective method that will allow you to update the seams is used in practice by every housewife. It assumes the presence of detergents available in any store. An old, well-coated toothbrush is ideal for the instrument. And cleaning solutions can be of various types:

Washing powder. Pour a little substance into a container, fill it with a small amount of water, apply the resulting mass at the tip of the brush to the contaminated area. Then wipe the seams with light movements and rinse off the remainder with water.

Remember! When using household chemicals, it is best to prepare protective equipment. The recommended set is gloves, a mask for the respiratory and vision organs. It is also best to ventilate the area.

Since the use of detergents is considered a dangerous option, especially for those who have an allergic reaction, it is possible to update the seams in the bathroom with affordable and natural ingredients. A mixture of peroxide and baking soda is very simple to prepare, take 4 tablespoons of baking soda for 3 parts of peroxide and stir... It is best to add some gel to fight greasy stains. Spread the grout over the grout, rub in, then wait about 2 hours and wipe the seams well.

Worth knowing! Natural ingredients are not recommended if your seams are multi-colored.

The most affordable and easy way to update the joints between the tiles in the bathroom. For this, both ordinary soap and household soap and even liquid-based shampoo are suitable.First, grind the soap into small powder pieces. This can be done with a knife or with a regular grater. Fill everything with warm water, stir thoroughly, then apply it to the seams with a hard sponge and wipe. Rinse off the dirty foam with water, wipe the ceramics dry so that no soap streaks remain.

This method is notable for its simplicity, however, its weak side is fragility. You can use the marker to update the grout in the bathroom, for example, before the arrival of guests or the arrival of distant relatives. But after a while, the seams between the ceramics will return to their unsightly appearance. Use plain soapy water to rinse the grout surface, then remove the mold and restore areas where there is no mixture or it is cracked. We remove the excess, clean it carefully with sandpaper and draw the seams.

Remember! The marker should only be applied to a dry surface, otherwise the result will remain at zero.

Few know about the existence of a special paint for grouting, and the water-based composition, in extreme cases, may come in handy, very useful! This mixture not only gives a rich color, but also protects the surface from the effects of fungus, as well as other microorganisms. The paint allows the seams not to darken for a long time, during which you will forget about this problem.

Of course, the water-based mixture will darken quickly, but this is an extreme option! A special composition must be applied to a cleaned and sanded surface. After that, the bathroom tiles can even undergo sanitization with chemicals, not to mention household care products.

Quite often there are cases when the usual cleaning, albeit a thorough one, is clearly not enough. Then it is necessary to resort to more radical measures in the form of partial or complete replacement of tile joints. This method makes it possible to refresh the grout, change its color, which will have a positive effect on the interior of the room.

With the help of a scraper, you need to get rid of outdated mastic. Initially, it should be softened with the mixture with water, and then with a tool, thoroughly scrape off the entire grout. It is especially worth paying attention to the scrupulousness of the work, since there is a danger of touching the surface of the ceramic. It is better to use a special solvent to dismantle the epoxy material. Then carry out antifungal treatment both before laying the mastic and after it dries.

Remember! Such a drastic measure is usually caused by serious problems with the fungus or permanent destruction of the material.

Applying mastic between the tiles in the bathroom is considered a matter of strength, which a beginner can also cope with. Therefore, there should not be any problems with this. For this event, you will need several tools: a rubber spatula, a forming tube, and a regular sponge. You must first dilute the dry powder with plain water. It is added in portions, as there is a danger of lack of density.It is necessary to mix the solution well, then leave it for 20 minutes to settle. Then it must be mixed again and begin to apply between the tiles with small strokes. It is imperative to carefully tamp the mastic for this there is a special tube, and remove the excess. The contour of the joints is formed with an ordinary cloth, an even and slightly concave seam is obtained. Image - DIY tile seam repair

There is a possibility that the mastic will begin to crack as it dries, so it is best to lightly moisten it with plain water. If voids begin to form, then the process of applying grout should be repeated. Then rub it with a sponge or foam trowel. To avoid the need to frequently renew the grout in the future, it is necessary to maintain the cleanliness at the proper level.

It is worth remembering! After carrying out all the work, it is necessary to wait until the joints are completely dry, which will take from several days to 10 days, then they can be cleaned or moistened with water.

Instead of an afterword, it should be recalled that for prevention, it is better to cover the mastic with a protective layer. It allows you to reduce the influence of negative factors on the operation of the grout and increase its service life, and also avoids the appearance of cracks. Thus, after the mixture is completely dry, treat it with an airtight compound, and then enjoy the work done!

Every few years, the bathroom in the apartment requires expensive renovation. If repair is needed only for the tiles that are laid on the walls and on the floor of the room, much less money can be spent on it. It is enough to carry out a small restoration of the tile seams in the bathroom, you can update them with your own hands. There are several ways to do this, choosing the best methods.

It is possible to clean the seams using household chemicals, as well as with the help of some folk remedies. Contamination can be easily removed by mechanical means. Let's take a closer look at each of these methods.

You can update the tile seams in the bathroom with purchased chemicals intended for use in everyday life. They should be chosen depending on the degree of contamination of the seams. If they're just covered in grease and soap, common products can be used. These include Pemolux, Fairy. To whiten seams affected by stubborn dirt, powders or liquids containing chlorine or acid are needed. Strong concentrates of household chemicals for bathroom renovation are BOZO, Ultra-Stripper, KiiltoClean.

When working with strong agents, precautions should be taken. Ventilate the bathroom thoroughly and wear protective gloves. To remove the fungus, use the chlorine-containing liquids Domestos and Whiteness. They are applied with a brush to dirt. After 10 minutes, the product is washed off with clean water. It is not recommended to wash the seams with regular soap. It creates conditions for the development of microorganisms.

Dirt is well removed with a steam cleaner. Under the influence of pressure and temperature, it is removed outside. It remains to erase it from the surface of the tile. The hot steam destroys all microorganisms and fungal spores. The cleaned seam can be strengthened by applying a protective impregnation or a layer of a special primer.

You can whiten the seams between the tiles in the bathroom with the help of some folk remedies that will return the walls to their previous aesthetic appearance. These products include lemon juice or citric acid, soda, vinegar, ammonia, ammonia. Several ways to use them:

Pour 0.5 cups of soda into a third of a glass of lemon juice, add a quarter of a glass of vinegar and 7 glasses of water. The resulting mixture is applied to the seams, after 10 minutes it is washed off with water. This tool is very powerful and requires the use of protective equipment.
Soda (4 tablespoons) is poured into plastic dishes and hydrogen peroxide is added (3 tablespoons). The mixture is applied to the places of contamination. After 2 hours, the surface of the tile is brushed and washed off with clean water.
Mix equal amounts of toothpaste, mustard powder, baking soda and lemon juice. Add some ammonia. Spread the mixture on the seams, brush them after 15 minutes and rinse with clean water.
Composition for fighting mold. A tablespoon of vinegar and the same amount of ammonia, 2⁄3 cup of clean water are mixed and applied to the seams. After 15 minutes, you can wash everything off.

It is not recommended to use vinegar, ammonia and various acid-based compounds for cleaning colored grout. It can change the color of the mixture unpredictably.Do not use aggressive products when cleaning the joints between glass tiles. It is also not recommended to use products with abrasive substances. They leave small scratches on the surface.

At home, mechanical cleaning is more effective. It bleaches the seams and removes the top layer of the grout, along with the dirt that has stuck in it. This process requires a lot of time and investment of labor. The layer is removed with a tool called a scraper.

It can be removed with sandpaper or a spatula, which cleanses places with dirt, fungus. You can also use a metal brush, but it will leave marks in the form of scratches on the lined surface. You can build a tool yourself from a pipe sharpened with a grinder. It is used instead of a chisel. But don't try to use a hammer drill. You can beat off the tiles from the wall.

There is a more reliable way to update seams. They can be refreshed by painting. This method is not the most durable, but it will be enough for six months. Lime, water-based paint, and special formulations are used as dyes.

The paint is chosen in the same color as the grout. But you can experiment with other colors. It should be remembered that light shades are suitable for any tile color and hide its flaws. The most popular are Edding and Fuga Fresca dyes.

Edding is sold in three colors: white, gray and black. In appearance, it resembles a marker. The diameter of the working part is from 2 to 4 m. It is better to choose it depending on the width of the seams. FugaFresca manufactures a formulation based on acrylic polymers. It fills all seams evenly. The color gamut is wide, which allows you to choose different shades. The distance between the tiles is refreshed as follows:

The surface of the tiles and the distance between them are thoroughly cleaned in any of the ways described above. After that, it will be enough to additionally treat the seams with antiseptics.

After the tiles are completely dry, the paint is applied in a thin line into the seams.

Vertical seams require special attention. The colorant must not drip down. In this case, the use of a thin brush is required.

Any paint on the surface is immediately removed with a soft cloth.

After a day, you can apply one or more layers of paint.

After the last layer has dried, a protective impregnation is applied in the form of a special sealant.

Sometimes a complete replacement of the grout is made. This method is effective, but time consuming. It is necessary to completely remove the old layer of grout and apply a fresh one. This should be done especially carefully between the bathroom and the wall. If the level of the joints is slightly below the level of the tiles, a fresh coat can be applied directly to the old grout. If this is not the case, then the old grout must be removed completely.

This is done with a seam opener. The tile surface can be covered with masking tape. If difficulties arise, you need to use an acidic cleaner. This happens when removing cement-based tile joints. The cleaner is applied with a thin brush. You can use LITOCLEAN PLUS or PUFAS CEMENT-EX formulations. After softening, the old grout can be easily removed. After removing it, it is recommended to clean the residues with a vacuum cleaner.

The grout mixture is a powder or paste. The paste is ready to use, the powder must be diluted. Cement mixtures are formulated with the addition of sand and polymers. This is the cheapest option. It is easy to operate, easy to remove. Its disadvantage is cracking and dust and moisture getting into cracks.

When choosing a mixture, its color and shade are important. Light colors visually enhance any bathroom. Dark colors highlight specific areas. For the floor, the shades can be brown or black. Colored grout should be combined with the interior of the room.

Popular brands of grouting compounds are Ceresit, Mapei and Litokol. Ceresit CE 40 is sold in 25 kg bags.This amount is enough for processing an area of up to 100 m2. There are several ways to prepare a mixture. It is better to use a mixture prepared by the manufacturer. To apply grout, you need to have some tools:

The room must be ventilated before work. The humidity in it should be minimal. Seams are pre-treated with Ceresit CT 99 primer.

In order for the grouting mixture in the joints and just between the tiles to serve longer, it must be protected. For this, a special composition should be used. It is a water repellent agent that strengthens the solution and protects it from mold and mildew or a sealant. The composition can be applied 7 days after the grout dries. It is applied exactly along the seam with a thin brush.

Each material has a certain expiration date, tiles in the bathroom are no exception. Over time, it loses its former characteristics, it does not look as fresh as initially. What to do in such a situation, is it really the only correct solution would be to replace the tiles? We reveal the best methods of how to update the seams between the tiles in the bathroom, spending little time.An alternative solution to the problem was found. In order to renew your bathroom, it is enough to renew the joints between the tiles. Indeed, over the years, they darken or turn yellow, and plaque or fungus may appear on them. Among the factors that adversely affect the seams in the bathroom, the following can be noted:

ignoring the rules regarding the laying of tiles;

the surface of the seams was not subject to pre-treatment;

poor ventilation system.

Practice shows that it is enough to update the seams in the bathroom in order to return the tiles to their previous appearance. There are two main ways: Image - DIY tile seam repair

If you want to save money, then you can cope with a similar task on your own. The process is not easy, but after reading the step-by-step instructions, you can implement your plan.

Effective work on updating the joints between tiles involves preparing the most comfortable conditions. First of all, it is necessary to remove all unnecessary items from the bathroom, including furniture and appliances; if necessary, dismantle the toilet or sink.

To ensure your own safety, work must be done with special glasses and gloves. This is especially true when you work with chemicals that can cause significant harm.

This method is the easiest and requires the least amount of time, but it is characterized by a significant disadvantage. This method of grout renewal has a short-term effect, about 6 months. It involves applying paint over the old grout between the tiles.

Finding paint to renew the joints between the tiles in the bathroom will not be difficult. Manufacturers produce a wide variety of grout types. Everyone will choose a color to their liking.

In this case, you can not only give freshness to the wall covering, but also even out the color if it was applied unevenly. In order to complete the staining correctly, follow a few simple rules:

The enamel layer of the tile can interfere with painting. Remove it using a large size emery cloth.
Using fine sandpaper, sand the surface of the tiles.
After wiping off excess dust, degrease the surface with acetone or solvent.
After completing the previous steps, apply a primer.
After the primer is dry, you can safely apply paint.

If a desire arises, you can effectively decorate the tiles using the decoupage technique. To do this, glue the desired image and secure with two layers of varnish. This method will allow you to realize all your fantasies and emphasize your individuality.

There are a lot of tools on the market that will help you update your tiles. But how to choose the most effective among them.We present to your attention a list of products that will become indispensable in this process:

Edding 8200 is a marker with which you can update the seams between tiles. The main advantage is water resistance. Available in two shades: white and gray.
PUFAS FRISCHE FUGE is a type of paint, the purpose of which is to renew the joints between tiles. It is characterized by a white color, thinning with a color of 5% is permissible.
COLORED STAIN REMOVER is a product that can deal with a wide range of contaminants, including organic ones. For example, coffee stains, nicotine stains, and is also effective against mold.

One of the most difficult ways is considered to be replacing the grout. You need to use it in cases where the old material cannot be updated.. For example, if it contains traces of mold and mildew. This is due to the fact that it makes no sense to apply a new thin layer of paint, because the fungus will germinate after a while and there will be a need to reapply paint between the seams of the tile. Thus, the process will be endless.

The specificity of the work, first of all, is that it becomes necessary to remove the old grout from the joints between the tiles in the bathroom without significant losses. As attempts to scrap out obsolete material using coarse tools can damage the tile, especially its edges, and thus its appearance will suffer.. This effect is highly undesirable.

In the event that you have a need to replace a recently applied grout, for a period of no more than a day, then use ordinary water as an aid. After a few hours, the obsolete material will get wet and it will be quite easy to remove it.

If the old grout was applied a long time ago, then with the help of water you will not cope with the task. You need more radical methods. You cannot do without chemicals.

The most alternative option would be to use specialized tools. One of these is a solvent designed for cement mortars. It is noteworthy that you can find such a chemical agent in any supermarket, and at the same time the prices for such agents are more than acceptable.The product must be applied to the joints between the tiles in the bathroom. Then you will see a chemical reaction, at the end of which the material will soften. Only after that you can start cleaning the seams. Using this tool, you can not worry about the safety of the tile, the oxidizer will not harm its surface.It is important to remember that additional steps are required in the event of mold. You should try to clean the seams as much as possible of the old material that filled it. After that, treat the affected areas with an antiseptic and apply a new grout. Image - DIY tile seam repair

Among the most effective means for removing old grout between tiles are the following:

PUFAS CEMENT-EX is a mortar capable of removing residues of cement and other finishing materials. Effective for removing old grout between joints.
LITOCLEAN PLUS is an organic acid based cleaner. It will clean the cladding from plaque, cement and lime.

Poor ventilation contributes to the appearance of mold on the silicone grout, it cannot be restored, therefore it is necessary to use a radical method - to replace it. In order to qualitatively remove spoiled material, the following is necessary:

The silicone sealant must be removed mechanically, using a knife or specialized scraper.
For a thorough cleaning, use a silicone remover such as Penosil Silicone R. Apply it with an assembly gun.
The sealant will help soften the old grout and thus, after a day, you can easily remove it in order to apply a new one.

Adhering to the step-by-step guide, it will not be difficult to update the grout between the tiles in the bathroom, and you can easily apply the new material to the seams yourself, without spending money on calling the master.

The first step is to prepare the surface. After removing obsolete material, thoroughly clean the seams. It is necessary to wash them with soap and water and leave for one day, they need to dry.

After that, the best option would be to use a special primer. This is rational if you are not sure that the old grout has been completely removed.

Now you can start the process of applying new material between the tiles. The new grout must be diluted to the consistency of thick sour cream. Using a rubber grout trowel, rub inward. The use of a metal trowel is not recommended as it may damage the tiles.

For the best effect, try to fill in all the spaces between the seams. Remove the rest of the material that has fallen on the surface of the tile with a sponge. The procession can now be considered completed. In order to learn completely how to grout tile joints, we have instructions.

But in order for the new filler to serve you for a long time, cover its surface with a special protective layer, that is, seal the grout with a suitable solution. Otherwise, the problem is likely to repeat itself after a short period of time.

Thus, the restoration of the joints between the tiles is one of the most alternative options that will help "bring back to life" your tiles and give them their previous appearance. The process is quite complicated, as it requires certain knowledge and considerable effort. But having given him time and due attention, you can independently achieve the desired result, significantly saving on calling the master.

In most cases, repair work in showers, kitchens and other areas where there is a tile consists in replacing or updating the tile covering. After a certain amount of time, the tile material loses its former appearance and becomes no longer the same as it was immediately after its installation.

This is a signal that it is time to install new material. However, you should not immediately buy a new tile and dismantle the old one, perhaps it will be enough to renew the grout of the tiles. As practice shows, their pollution is the main reason that the tiles have become outdated and worn out.
Therefore, for a start, you should carefully look at the seams of the tile material, and if you notice darkening or dirt, then it's time to update them. In this article, we will talk about how to update the joints between ceramic floor tiles.

Before starting restoration work, you should get rid of everything that may interfere with their implementation. For example, you will need to remove wall cabinets and any other elements that block access to the tiles. It will not be superfluous to take out the furniture, thereby freeing the floor.

When it comes to the kitchen, it is better to dismantle the gas or electric stove. In the bathroom, you will have to remove the plumbing equipment, and perhaps even take out the bath for a while.

Now you need to think about personal protective equipment, without which it is highly discouraged to work with adhesives, acidic cleaning compounds and cement mortars. All work must be carried out with glasses and gloves.

Necessary means of protection

The easiest and most immediate method to renew tile seams is to tint them. This method has one significant drawback - the effect of it will last no more than six months, after which it will be necessary to renew the grout again. Also, most paint formulations cannot be used in wet environments.

Another non-radical way to improve the joints is to apply new grouting material on top of the old one.This operation is feasible only if the seams are sufficiently deep. For a new grout, you will need about two millimeters of depth.

All necessary consumables can be purchased at any hardware or hardware store.

If you decide to use colorful compounds, then it is important to know that they can be used not only to renew the seams, but also to restore damaged areas. That is, the paint can be applied not only over the old grout, but also used as a grouting material, only for this you will need to apply a larger layer.

The paint is easy to use. The first step is to thoroughly clean the area from possible contamination, for example, plaque or mold. Then you need to carefully apply paint to the tile seam, and wait for it to dry.

If you hooked on the tile during the touch-up process, then you need to remove the excess with a rag. The time it takes for the composition to dry is indicated on its packaging. There you can also find some recommendations for its use.

The above methods are quite simple and do not require a lot of time to carry out, however, the effect from them is not long-term. The most effective method for renovating tiles is to replace the grouting material. The first step is to remove the old material from the seams. This can be done in several ways.

In the event that the grouting material has not yet had time to set and harden, that is, no more than a day has passed after its use, but it has already become necessary to replace it, then you can simply wet it with water.

Half an hour after applying a new grout, you need to get rid of the excess on the tile itself, as well as wipe the joints. To do this, use a clean sponge, it is better to take a new one. If you often do construction work with tiles, then you probably have all the necessary tools, if not, then know that you can buy a special bucket with a wringer for sponges. With it, the grouting process will be much faster.

Then you need to let the material dry and continue working only the next day. Now you need to remove the white bloom using a felt-coated mitt. You can also use the felt trowel, but these are not suitable for embossed tiles.

If you notice some defects during all the work, but the grout has already set, then you should remove them using sandpaper rolled into a tube.

In some cases, the tile has an embossed surface or a large number of decorative details that greatly complicate the work. When grouting such a tile, it is better to glue its entire surface with polyethylene and masking tape to avoid contamination that is difficult to remove.

If the tile has already been contaminated with grouting material, then you can clean it with oil (even ordinary sunflower oil is suitable) and terry rags.

Removing obsolete grouting material with this method is a radical tool and you need to resort to it only when there are no other options left. This procedure requires the employee to be as careful and scrupulous as possible, since there is a fairly high probability of damaging the enamel of the tile.

Ideally, to carry out this operation, you should purchase a special opener, which is a tool with a sharp blade and handle, but it is possible to quite successfully replace it with an ordinary sharpened knife.

Before updating the seams between the tiles in the bathroom, you need to draw a knife straight along the tile seam, and then at an angle twice from different sides. Particular attention should be paid to the processing of joints in the corners of the tiles, since these elements are the most fragile and it is very easy to damage them.

By following the link https://my.housecope.com/wp-content/uploads/ext/3132/materials/8147_kak-vybrat-zatirku-dlya-plitki-sravnivaem-cementnyj-i-epoksidnyj-varianty/ you will learn about the benefits and the disadvantages of different types of grout. In this article you will find information on laying floor tiles. You may also be interested in an article on how to seal the gap between the bathroom and the wall.

A chisel, drill or electric drill with a thin drill is perfect for these works. Mechanical removal of suture material can be carried out independently, since the procedure is quite simple and does not require special preparation.

In some cases, mold appears on tile joints that have been treated with silicone grout. In most cases, this is due to insufficient ventilation of the room.

This material cannot be washed, so the only way out of this situation is to completely remove the silicone and replace it with a new grouting material. Another reason for removing the silicone-based grout is if it was not applied correctly the last time.

Such grouting material must be removed mechanically, using a sharp knife or a construction scraper. After removing the main part of the trowel, it is necessary to walk along the seams with a vacuum cleaner to completely remove it.

There are also special detergents that can dissolve and successfully remove old grout. As a rule, they need to be applied with a small layer of an assembly gun, and then left for about a day.

This time is required for the agent to penetrate and dissolve the silicone. Then you just need to remove the dissolved silicone using a rag. After that, thoroughly wipe off and remove grease from the surface of the seams so that the new layer of silicone adheres firmly.

Removing the silicone grout

Before renewing the seams between tiles, you need to glue the edges with adhesive tape to prevent silicone from getting on the enamel. Then you need to cut the tip of the silicone grout packaging so that there is enough layer to apply the material in one pass. Now it is necessary to apply the silicone to the surface of the seams using an assembly gun.

After that, you need to quickly smooth out the seam, while it has not yet grabbed. To do this, you need to use a special spatula with a rubber working area or get along with your fingers and soapy water. The masking tape can only be removed after smoothing the grouting material.

In some cases, especially for old buildings, where Soviet-era repairs have still been preserved, the seams between the tiles were rubbed with a cement-based compound. In this case, it is rather difficult to get rid of the layer of old grouting material without preliminary preparation.

Using an acid softener

For this operation, you need to purchase an acid-based cleaner and several brushes, and do not forget about rubber gloves. To remove the grout, apply a layer of cleaner to the joints and wait for the grout to soften. The waiting time is indicated on the packaging of the consumable. After a while, the product should be absorbed, and the grout is very easy to remove.

In some cases, after removing the old grout, some additional operations may be required to completely clean the surface of the joints. For example, small fragments of old grout or small chips of broken tiles may remain in the joints. To remove them, it is enough to use an ordinary vacuum cleaner.

After cleaning the seams with a vacuum cleaner, you will need to rinse them. To do this, you need to make a solution based on soap or a non-aggressive detergent and carefully treat the seam surface with it, after which you will need to suspend the process for up to a day to give time for the seams to dry.

After that, a layer of penetrating primer should be applied. The instructions for its application, as well as the drying time of the substance, are indicated on the packaging and can vary significantly, depending on the manufacturer.

In this case, speed is very important, so you will have to work in a rather intensive mode, ideally, work with an assistant. Such a rush is due to the fact that the compositions for the treatment of tile seams dry out very quickly, so delay can lead to a high consumption of these materials.

The consistency of the resulting solution should be liquid - so the solution does not dry out too quickly. It is necessary to apply grout using a rubber trowel. The material must be carefully rubbed inside, filling the entire seam space with it. In this way, a much more effective grip can be achieved.

Do not be afraid to go over a little with the grout, after it dries, the excess can be removed with sandpaper, and a seam that is too small will need to be replaced very quickly.

In order to properly form a seam, it is better to use a construction tool. It can also be purchased at every home improvement store or hardware store at a reasonable price. The set includes several attachments of different shapes that will help to give the seams the appearance you need.

If you are not a beginner in this business, but such a tool was not at hand, then you can use a metal rod of the appropriate size with a rounded end. The use of sharp instruments is not allowed. You can also use the plastic handle of an old paintbrush.

During the formation of the seams, it is necessary to hold the tool in such a way that it touches the edges of the tile, which is laid next to it. After applying the grouting material, it is necessary to remove the excess from the surface of the tile. To do this, you can use a clean sponge, the same tool with which you applied the grout, or a simple rag.

Now you need to wait about a day and carefully look at the resulting seams. All irregularities can be sanded with sandpaper, after which the tiles must be washed.

The main thing here is not to let the material dry out completely, since it is very difficult to remove such grout from the surface of the tile material. Use a damp cloth to clean the tiles.

Now you know how to replace the grout between the tiles and you can handle this operation yourself.

Grouting with a trowel

Edding 8200 is a joint touch-up paint. It contains waterproof ink. Produced as a marker for easier application. You can find white and black markers with a line width of no more than 0.4 centimeters.

Pufas cement-ex is a cement slurry remover for tiles. Can be used on regular tiles, clinker and terrace tiles. It is also used as a cleaner for baths and sinks.

Colored stain remover is used to clean tiles from dirt of varying severity and nature of formation. Also suitable for washing natural stone, porcelain stoneware and all types of marble.

Pufas frische fuge. It is a colorful compound for easy renovation of seams. Not recommended for permanent use. It is produced in an exclusive white color scheme, but the addition of color is allowed.

Kiilto clean is an aggressive acid-based cleaning agent. It is used to remove serious dirt from tiles, so you shouldn't use it every day.

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