Re-Grout or Re-Tile for limited DIYer

[ngac]

My grout is all cut and parts have fallen out.

Been having a look at potentially re grouting or retiling the shower.

My worries are if I Re-grout are
1) Do I need to remove ALL the old grout? I have a grouting tool but i think it will take 3 weeks to remove the grout with that. I was looking at the Bosch Multi Tool but seems expensive for the job?
2) IS it relatively easy job to regrout once the prep work done or am i best retiling the area.

My worries for retiling are
1) If I rip the tiles off do I need a new backboard (is this what is used in UK or is it just plasterboard)?

Thanks

 

[prceramics]

The bosh multi is only about £50 and the blade is about £15 not bad if it turns a 3 week job into a day

 

[Dan]

I agree with the above.

Though Doug and a couple of others use an angle grinder with a used blade. (Ask them for info it's not something I've used for grout removal) and they said that's quick too.

 

[kilty55]

hi there,my main concern is that if your grout has fallen out and is broken that you will have water damage which will promote mould spores etc

re tile imo

 

[Dan]

Have you taken a couple of tiles off to see what the score is behind them at all?
Do you have any pictures of the grout problem?
Do you know what grout was used, by chance?

 

[ngac]

Have you taken a couple of tiles off to see what the score is behind them at all? No
Do you have any pictures of the grout problem? I will take some tonight and link to them
Do you know what grout was used, by chance?

No its a new house

I dont think its going to be that damaged as its not too bad but I may be wrong (im no expert).

Ill get some pictures on and let the experts tell me.

I fancy the bosch multi tool but is 60 currently with no accessories and know its been 40 with no acc and 70 ish with 24 acc so im loathe to buy at 60 knowing it will be a better price soon!! I know im tight !!

I may try and use the scraper to see how long it will take. Does ALL current grout need fully removing?

 

[ngac]

For some reason when i link dropbox pics they are not coming through so ill try uploading!

 

[Stef]

Hi, i have used these tiles a few times & to be honest i hate them but each to their own.

I would have issues with that mould in pic 4, how long has that Silicon been removed?

Try & cut out the grout with a stanley knife, be careful not to catch the edge of the tiles, Its a pig of a job, get out as much old grout as you can & make sure no old grout is standing proud then regrout.

It wont be a big grout line anyhow as the chances are these tiles will have been butt jointed(No NO) or a 1mm/2mm at most.

Enjoy.

 

[ngac]

Hi, i have used these tiles a few times & to be honest i hate them but each to their own.

I would have issues with that mould in pic 4, how long has that Silicon been removed?

Try & cut out the grout with a stanley knife, be careful not to catch the edge of the tiles, Its a pig of a job, get out as much old grout as you can & make sure no old grout is standing proud then regrout.

It wont be a big grout line anyhow as the chances are these tiles will have been butt jointed(No NO) or a 1mm/2mm at most.

Enjoy.

Thanks for your input.
Tiles are horrendous but unfortunately for us we bought the house in october and havnt got the funds really unless we need to retile.

The Silicon has been removed for a couple of months. i keep meaning to resilicone but never seem to get round to it. Ill clean it up this weekend and do it. Is it just a case of scraping off Silicon and any Silicon sealant will do?

How desperate is the grouting in your opinion?

May just resilicone base and leave grout as is and retile the entire thing in 12 months if you think it would be ok

 

[prceramics]

if you don't like the tiles then a retile would be your answer

 

[ngac]

If i clean up the mould on the pic and resilicone that section.

Do you think the grout will be ok for another 12 months or so till i can afford a retile?

 

[Andy Allen]

the tiles look like they have been fitted without spacers which could be the reason the grouts falling out , if you touch the grout up chances are it will just fall out again if theres not aleast a 2mm joint to work the grout into.

the Silicon round the tray needs to be removed completely befor its redone..

 

[AliGage]

The Silicon has been removed for a couple of months. i keep meaning to resilicone but never seem to get round to it. Ill clean it up this weekend and do it. Is it just a case of scraping off Silicon and any Silicon sealant will do?

How desperate is the grouting in your opinion?

May just resilicone base and leave grout as is and retile the entire thing in 12 months if you think it would be ok

Has this been used since removing the Silicon a couple of months ago?

I couldn't say for certain but it looks to me from the images provided that spacers either weren't used or if they were they were only 1mm. These particular tiles are a good 8mm thick i think aren't they? (thicker than average certainly, because of the mosaic effect profile, any slimmer and the tile tille be weak where the "decorative" grout lines are)

I'll cut to the chase to avoid waffling as little man has had me up most the night and i'm dead on my feet.

(8mm depth + 6mm (min) adhesive) x 1mm grout width on a plasterboard wall = Never going to happen. I can't even see BAL microflex staying pretty in between those tiles. IMO i think you need to be looking at either re-tile, or if you want a temp measure take an angle grinder to the wall and cut the lines a bit wider to accomodate grout.

Am i right in thinking you mentioned this was a new build?

 

[ngac]

Yes, house about 8 years old

The shower has been used but not very often as its not the main bathroom. Im going to remove Silicon clean all mould and use a bit of bleach to clean up.

Then resilicone shower and hopefully should be ok till i can afford to re tile.. sound ok?

Or do i need to do more with the mould?

 

[AliGage]

My only concern is any water damage behind the wall. The wall is only going to be plasterbaord with a property of that age. Either dot and dabbed on blockwork or if internal it's be screwed to a timber frame.

I would be looking to replace wall boarding and re-tile within 4-6 months.
Does your main bathroom have a shower in it? Why not just leave the shower cubicle out of commission until it's affordable to do it properly?

If you are intent or need to still use the shower then i'd suggest this:

Remove all Silicon, vent windows and give it about a week to allow any moisture to dry out naturally.
I'd prehaps consider running a very fine bead of Silicon along the grout joints in the cubicle and seal up tray, enclosure and corner joint with a quality Silicon. You can buy Silicon for about 99p a tube. Don't be tempted, even with a temp job. A sealant with microban will help with any mould and black spots. Even cheap Silicon asthetically looks great, but consider health and hygiene as well. I've been to quite a few jobs over the year to investigate sealant problems by other fitters. I've seen some excellent work and finishing and it amazes me that said installer, tiler etc saves himself a couple of quid on a tube of Silicon. Few months down the line after household use it shows.

This will get you by a couple of months. But i strongly suggest you look to sort it correctly sooner rather than later. Things can escalate rapidly. If the installer hasn't grouted or sealled up correctly or adeqautely then how well are they stuck to the wall itself? A falling tile will soon crack a stone resin tray. Then the cost will start to rack up!