Child Item

How to repair shower grout?

I just moved into a place about 20 years old. The two showers both need regrouting. I can see gaps between the grout and tiles, and missing grout.

I have removed grout with a grout hand saw before, and found the grout came up easily. However the grout in these showers are rock hard and wouldn't budge. What can I use to remove the grout?

The existing grout is lower than the tiles. Would it be ok to apply epoxy grout over the top of old grout?

I also need to remove old silicone. I've used selleys silicone remover and found it iineffective. Any other suggestions would be most welcome.

Thank you!

Find more posts tagged with

Tools and Materials

Repairing

Tiling

Cleaning

Accepted answers

All comments

Jewelleryrescue

Hi @TH

The grout probably is epoxy grout. 🙂 in place.

You can use a vibrating multi tool and half round blade would be good for grout removal. If the grout is solid thats fine just scuff it to give new grout some thing to bond to.

You want the silicon shower screen bead replaced ? The multi tool can help there too , some use a sharp scraper or knife, as well in the corners.

If you can steam clean the grout to kill off mold spores or at the least exit mold type cleaner then wash that off too.

Have fun 🙂

EricL

Hello @TH

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's wonderful to have yo join us, and thanks for sharing your question about repairing your grout.

Just to give you an idea of the tools @Jewelleryrescue is referring to here is a link to the multitool. The blade used used for grout removal is the Diablo 70mm Multi Function Tool Ultimate Grout And Mortar Blade. This is the tool to remove the silicone CornerTape Professional Silicon Remover.

Once you've successfully removed the grout I suggest using Dunlop 1.5kg Flexible Coloured Grout - White. In order to prolong the life of the grout I suggest using Betta TileCare 500ml Tile And Grout Sealer With Wheel Applicator. This seals off the grout and prevents water from soaking into it.

Here are some handy step-by-step guides:

How to remove grout
How to grout wall tiles
How To Silicone Seal A Bath (the techniques used are applicable to your project)

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

@Jewelleryrescue, @EricL,

Thank you very much for your detailed response. Much appreciated!

Looks like I need to invest in a multi tool.

I'm going to apply epoxy grout. I have done it once and found it quite difficult as it sets so quickly. I know I have to use small amounts and work fast, so I'm thinking of just doing the shower floor. Any tips for using epoxy grout would be greatly appreciated.

There is no access to the area below the showers to check for leakage. After grouting, I'm thinking of duct taping the drain and filling up the shower with water to the top of the hob/frame to check for leakage. Is this how you would do it?

Thanks for your help!

MitchellMc

Hi @TH,

Can I ask why you are keen on using epoxy grout? Typically, it's only used in some fairly specific circumstances and would normally be avoided unless it is necessary. You would have a much easier time applying standard grout and then sealing it to prevent staining, which will give you a similar result.

The only real advice I would have for you with the epoxy is to work within the manufacturer's guidelines, at the appropriate temperature, and do small sections at a time.

Where are you looking for this leakage? Are you suspect it's through the hob or that the membrane under the tiles is compromised?

Mitchell

Jewelleryrescue

Hi @TH

Yes I think @MitchellMc is right here why put yourself through epoxy grout fast setting.

Regular grout works well but I do use a grout additive specially outdoors to improve the grouts properties.

Davco 1L 4 In 1 Grout Additive

https://www.bunnings.com.au/davco-1l-4-in-1-grout-additive_p6650493

I/N: 6650493

$20.67

Increases flexibility, strength and water resistance of cement based grout.
Enhances the colour of grout.
Reduced likelihood of efflorescence

Concentrated grout additive designed to increase the flexibility, strength and water resistance of cement based grouts.

Davco 4 in 1 Grout Additive is suitable for interior and exterior domestic applications. Ideal for submerged and high foot traffic areas, where a high degree of deformability is required.

Also plugging the drain hole will help find leaks. 🙂

Hi @Jewelleryrescue, @MitchellMc,

Thank you for your response. I appreciate it!

I want to use epoxy grout because of a poor experience with cement based grout.

I had a shower with alot of small tiles and narrow, shallow spaces between them. I didn't realise the grout had worn away until water leaked through the hob and lifted some tiles (on the hob) and left stain marks outside. I had it professionally resealed but grout started falling out in some places soon after. The tradie came back to rectify but it happened again, so I decided to DIY with premixed grout. It was fine for some time, but didn't last. The shower screen was mounted in the middle of the hob rather than flush with the inside of the shower (the correct way I've read), so grout was wearing away where the screen meets the hob (But also elsewhere!). Long story short, it was painful to constantly check the grout is still intact, frustrating to do frequent regrouting, plus worry about leakages and where the leak is coming from (would lifted tiles damage the waterproof membrane, by the way?)

The current shower also has the shower screen mounted in the middle of the hob, hence my interest in epoxy grout. Apparently it's really strong and waterproof. I would also seal the shower for peace of mind.

Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

EricL

Hello @TH

The only epoxy grout I'm currently aware of is the Dunlop 3.25kg Slate Grey Easy Clean Epoxy Grout Kit. It resists stains and chemicals, It's also able to fill a gap as large as 15mm. It is easy to use and clean during application and easy to maintain. It contains Grout Shield to resist the growth of mould & bacteria to keep surfaces looking better for longer. When combined with a grout and tile sealer, you should have superior protection inside your shower.

Please remember to use personal protection such as gloves and goggles, when working on your project.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

Jewelleryrescue

Hi @TH

I hear you when you say the regular grout failed and worrying about continous leaks I too would find that situation very irritating too/

So what is going on I ask? 1 Evidence of Grout failing, 2 tiles popping off.3 water leaks This sounds like the tile glue having failed with a possible water layer under the tiles interfering with regrouting efforts , Any tile movement will trash the new grout is possibly where you are at.

So do you feel the tiles are solid? And or do they sound drummy? And leaks out the side of the hob?

Option 1 Well yes epoxy grout will glue them into place from the top down for a longer period of time.

Option2 if the tiles are really drummy is ideally they need care full lifting and re gluing .

This brings the membrane into question like you rightly asked. If it is damaged in side the hob base and sides region yes it will need to be replaced and that could explain any mystery leaks you have, But just that hob area. Is all I would do.

I have repaired leak points in ponds with 500mm of water pressure where menbraines fail normally around pvc pipe intrusions it just takes extra measures to repair, inside a hob is much easyier.

You @TH meantion grout going up and sealing the hob to the screen. Normally that job is best reserved for silicone as it is more elastic because that screen panel will flex if touched and it will crack away from grout easialy creating a leak in fact the grout may now funnel the water out wards/

So look at the hob screen situation and reassess for your needs.

Hang in there

Thanks Eric. That's the one I used. 🙂

Hi @Jewelleryrescue,

Thanks for the detailed reply. It's very helpful.

The tiles in the shower had moved up (see photo) but still seemed solid. I had regrouted it with cement based grout then sealed it with Betta shower sealer; it was fine for a while, then I saw staining outside the hob (2 photos), one at the corner and one on the side (not exactly on the other side of the popped tiles). Not sure if it's poor grouting or damaged membrane. Would you both applying epoxy grout to this, or is it a re-waterproof and re-tile job?

I'm keen to stay on top of maintenance so I don't get into these troublesome problems again 🙂

EricL

Hello @TH

Looking at the pictures you posted it appears that your last repair is still in good condition. Some of the sealers of course would have started to stain bit due to its location in the bathroom.

If there is no evidence of a major leak in that area, I propose just regrouting the area. However, if there is evidence of undertile flooding or plasterboard damage due to a water leak then I suggest removing the tiles and re-applying waterproofing before putting on the new tiles. Just be aware that this will involve removing all the tiles as waterproofing needs to be applied as a single coat.

Please note that it might be necessary to engage a registered water proofing agent to complete this work. If in doubt consult your local building authority before starting.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

Jewelleryrescue

Hi @TH

Great effort sealling the tiles and hob to water tight as @EricL says there are no major failure or leaks . The photo with the brown stains looks like a fine grout crack underneath so take out a small amount of grout to get back to solid gruot and simple to do mask tiles and fill with cream color bathroom silicon smooth it out with a turps wet rag just one corner of rag,

I might scrape the grout around on the second brown stain on floor and do the same.

While you have your silicone out seal across the tile tops and under the the shower screen in photo 1. do both sides so mold has no place to hide.

Photo 3 is no issues seen just a regular clean up once in awhile.

I think your repair efforts to date have done well just minor touch ups I cant see any evidence of membrain leak Ie pools of water leaving the hob. No need to fill hob as a test as area not a pool area,

A bit of silicone inside the grout cavity 1/2 mm will work as good as epoxy and can be redone later if need be/

Touch up any other dark grout line you wish as silicon will go hard in a few weeks inside tube.

Keep up the good work, @TH

Hi @Jewelleryrescue and @EricL,

Just want to thank you both for the detailed replies. I took the grout off and found dark marks where water has been seeping through the hob. I've waited for many days and it hasn't dried out yet, but once it's dry I'll apply the advice.

Thanks!

EricL

Thanks for the update @TH, you can hurry up the drying process by using a hair dryer or heat gun if you have one in your toolbox.

Please keep us updated with your progress, we look forward to seeing your tiles grouted.

Eric

Jewelleryrescue

Hi @TH

Big effort you have done getting that grout out I know i have being in your shoes I know how hard it can be not to meantion hard on the knees.

You may want to spritz those dark patches with exit mould just in case they are mould spores I want you job to succeed . The little extra moisture on top will dry quickly

Maybe it is easier to silicon(cream color) the grout lines between the tiles as you will need silicon between the hob and the screen this will save you messing with grout too To help make your life easier do use masking tape to mask off the tile grout lines to make a neat job. Use turps on a plastic gloved finger to smooth the silcon into the grout lines and a make a nice curved fillet shape joining the shower screen and tile hob.

Keep up the job work.

Child Item