grouting floor tiles

[cecil39]

can I regrout my floor tiles? they look really grubby and discoloured, dont know why but they are about 1cm wide, and show lot, I don't think I have seen any others this wide but I am stuck with them.

[carrust]

Grouting's the easy part of the job. If the original grouting joints are 1cm wide I don't envy you trying to get it out.

[The Builder]

Agree with Carrusty. One of these with a stone cutting disc would make it easy................ but the dust would be horrendous. Open all windows and doors :o)

http://www.screwfix.com/p/direct-power-pga115-900w-4-angle-grinder-230v/63218

[ladybirder]

Ooh I like wide grouting on floor tiles, think it looks smart. I've recently cleaned all my grouting with a toothbrush and a small bowl of bleach watered down a bit. Looks lovely and clean now.

[cecil39]

thanks everyone, I'm not up to using a stone cutter so maybe I will have to try the bleach and toothbrush method, it will have to be a bit at a time though as I have bad knee's, but I suppose once its done its done.

[ladybirder]

You could try with a nailbrush cecil. That should be a bit quicker. I didn't wash it off I just left it to do its work. Good luck.

[theshedman]

You could always try using ordinary yellow sandpaper and a piece of wood just a bit narrower than the joint. Wrap the sandpaper around the wood and rub along the joint. You will have to keep changing the sandpaper or move it to a different bit of it but it does work quite well. There will be a bit of dust but you can pick that up as you go along with a hoover or dustpan. Only use the cheap yellow stuff though as the new green ones will make the grout turn black. After finishing you could always seal the joints to help keep them clean.

[ladybirder]

That sounds a good idea theshedman. Wish I'd though of that.

[theshedman]

Hi ladybirder, I tried it in my bathroom as I didn't want to use a disc to do it because of the dust mentioned by The Builder and was surprised when it worked quite well.

[denpunk]

Removing the old grout would be almost impossible. There is a tool available in B&Q etc for removing grout, don't waste your money, it doesn't work. Your best bet is a wire bristled brush. Looks like a toothbrush (also available in hardware stores) Scrub thoroughly with soap, water and bleach. This may do the job. Re-grouting probably won't work as the grout has to go all the way between the tiles to adhere properly. If it is just on top of the old grout it will more than likely crack.

[ladybirder]

Pleased it worked for you shedman, the more you do it the better it will get.