Hi, I’ve decided to regrout and reseal our outdoors balcony due to loose grout and effervescent. I would like some advise on how to get started and products to use. I wouldn’t class myself as a handyman
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Geek1967. It's wonderful that you've joined us, and many thanks for your question on tile rejuvenation.
It would be handy for our members to know what you're working with when offering advice. Any chance you could post some images of the tiled area?
The first decision to make is whether you will patch the grout where it has fallen out or remove the existing grout and start again. You should find these step-by-step guides useful: How to remove grout and How to grout wall tiles. Although the grouting guide is for wall tiles, you'll find it a very similar process for the floor. Dunlop 1.5kg Flexible Coloured Grout would be a suitable product to use as it is designed for outdoor areas and balconies.
If these are glazed tiles, you really only need to seal the grout, and the Dunlop 250ml Grout Sealer comes in a convenient application bottle. If they are a sealed terracotta, you might need to look at stripping the existing sealer or testing to find out what was used initially.
Any idea where this efflorescence is coming from? Is it penetrating up from below the tiles, or is it flowing across their surface?
We look forward to hearing more details on your project and providing advice along the way.
Mitchell
Some of the grout looks ok so I’m not sure how to determine whether to remove it all or just the “crappy” loose bits. Fair bit of effluence to clean up too I was wondering what best to use on that. Yes the tiles are glazed. Thanks for the quick reply
@Geek1967,
You can take a flathead screwdriver and chase out the damaged grout portions until you hit solid material. If the grout crumbles easily whilst digging it out, then it needs to be removed. You'll not only need to take out the loose bits but also chase the grout back until it becomes solid. If you only remove the loose bits and fill, chances are the adjacent old grout with deteriorate within the next few years. If it does look like the majority of the grout has deteriorated, then your best bet is to pick up a multitool. Combined with a diamond blade similar to this one from Powefit, that will be the quickest option. I wouldn't advise using a manual grout remover unless it is just small sections.
To remove the efflorescence, you can try products similar to Chemtech 1L Brick Tile And Paver Cleaner or Crommelin 4L Efflorescence Remover.
Got the multi tool and POW fit as recommended. Started grinding and the old grout is like concrete. Hardly making a dent on it
Is this the damaged portion or other more solid areas of grout that are giving you difficulty? Is there gold-coloured carbide left on the edge of the blade, or can you see the steel?
Both portions both solid and damaged are giving me difficulty. I’ve only just stated using the blade, maybe 20 minutes trying different areas but it’s all solid. Blade is still good
Can I confirm that the blade is firmly attached to your multi-tool and that you're putting at least light pressure on the tool? Is the blade thin enough to only make contact with the grout and not the tiles on either side?
By using the multi-tool and carbide blade, it should be quite a fast and effective method. For instance, it should only take around 60 secs to cut out a 30cm length of grout. I've added an instructional video below to illustrate.
Blade is firmly attached with the Alan key.
As it’s an exterior balcony could the builder have used a harder grout?
Those carbide blades should be capable of cutting through most standard grouts and mortars. Potentially, the builder could have used a structural grout, though I'd believe you'd still make some headway even with that.
The only tool that would be more effective than one that oscillates would be an angle grinder and diamond blade. However, they are much less forgiving, and you need to be really careful you don't cut through past the tile into the balconies waterproofing.
I haven't encountered this issue before of a carbide blade in a multi-tool being completely ineffective. If you'd like, I can touch base with your local store to see if there is a team member you could discuss this issue with in person. I can also speak with them to see if we can swap this unit over for an angle grinder, if you were interested in that, since it hasn't been suitable for the intended purpose.
I recently did the exact same job with my outside tiles/grout. I used the angle grinder and diamond blades as mentioned. It cut through very easily, but it's hard labour and overall time consuming. I would recommend two people (two angle grinders) and knee pads for a solid day of work. Also, be prepared for a LOT of dust. You could try blowing it whilst grinding away or vaccuuming as you work, but I think realistically you just need to accept it as a tough job.
Once finished grinding, blow + vacuum the dust away completely, you can apply your grout of choice. Then, consider if you want to seal it to mitigate water ingress. I had CPC Shower Plug recommended (sold at Bunnings) and so far it's OK, but still shows some signs of water ingress but no efflorescence - it's only been 1 year so too hard to judge though
Hi @Vand,
Thank you for sharing your experience and your suggestions, they will definitely come in handy! It's good that the CPC Shower Plug is holding up and there isn't any efflorescence, fingers crossed it continues to do the job.
Katie
