re grouting a bathroom, advice really...

[mailsamwilliams]

Hiya

New to the forums and after starting to dig out the old grout I am wondering if I have bitten off more than I can chew (so to speak!)

When my (ex) hubby grouted our bathroom tiles, he decided to do some weird grout and go thicker than all the lines should have been. Making it look a bit "rustic" so he said. :whatchutalkingabout

Now I can make decisions on my own about the house, I wanted to dig it all out and regrout it back to how tiles should look properly.

I am using the digging out tool and some of it on the edge and at the top is coming off really easy. Now I have got to the central part I am finding it hard to dig out.

I am also having to scrape it off the tiles as it was stuck all round the flat face edges.

Any advice really please.

 

[Fekin]

I don't think I would like a strange man popping round from the internet :uhoh2:

Ha, funny how the internet makes people think they\we must be strange, but you'd be happy with a stranger coming round from the Yellow pages though I bet

 

[mailsamwilliams]

yes I did think about the "strange men" comment, as I was posting that! Although it was meant more tongue in cheek, as Raja was being cheeky (and still is) :tt2:

Well this morning I am back at it, and it is worse than watching paint dry! The tough bits are slowly coming away with a bit of elbow grease (which as a weak limbed female, is hurting my pointy finger) I can see me being here a while!!

FYI - this is how bad the grouting was and some of the bit I've dug out (does that look ok to regrout?

 

[Fekin]

I know it was a joke :lol:

The old grout does look on the thick side dosen't it.

Keep at it, looks like it's going well.

 

[sWe]

Good progress there. Damn, the old grouting looks really odd.

 

[mailsamwilliams]

I know!!!! I have hated it since it was done!! :whatchutalkingabout what a stupid idea in the first place and it made it so hard to clean, as grout looks cr4p anyway IMO!

 

[GazTech]

hello and welcome to the forums, careful too good a job people will ask for you to do theirs.. ...Gaz

 

[mailsamwilliams]

pah - I think the likelyhood of me tackling another job like this ever again is non exsistent :lol: it's more a case of "I've started, so I'll (have to) finish!!!

I have to keep stopping for little breaks to give my fingers a rest!

but I will post a photo afterwards to show you what girl power can do!!!:hurray:

on a plus note, I have just come across another bit that is coming out easier, it's just those stubborn tough areas nearer the bottom - is there a reason that bit is harder to do? more water contact :huh2:

 

[sWe]

I have just come across another bit that is coming out easier, it's just those stubborn tough areas nearer the bottom - is there a reason that bit is harder to do? more water contact :huh2:

Precisely.

Fresh grout doesn't "dry" per se when you apply it; it cures. That means the cement in it reacts with water, chemically binding much of it. If grout "dries", by which I mean it loses moisture too rapidly (the substrate might too absorbant, the temperature is to high, sun shines directly onto it for the first few hours/days, etc), the result is often weak, and more easily damaged. This is why many manufacturers recommend that you keep freshly grouted surfaces damp for two or three days after application; the result is tougher and more durable, as it the additional water allows it to cure properly.


The grout being harder close to where it's been subjected to the most water is therefore logical.

 

[mailsamwilliams]

ah!!! ok that makes sense - thanks!!

I am at a give up point today, seems to be this time of day I lose the plot!

Might be moaning on these forums for a few more days yet :13: so please bear with me

 

[Raja]

ah!!! ok that makes sense - thanks!!

I am at a give up point today, seems to be this time of day I lose the plot!

Might be moaning on these forums for a few more days yet :13: so please bear with me

Chin up Lass remember Girl Power an all that

As whinston Churchill Said Once NO Surrender

 

[mailsamwilliams]

haha! thanks for the moral support! I never thought the day would come that I would find myself on a tile fourm :lol:

 

[DHTiling]

That will look fine i think , once you grout up....and as for you never thought you would find your self on a tile forum...then thats wot they are for....and you came to the best one........good luck and look forward to the photo's of completed job.......

 

[mailsamwilliams]

yes you have all been very helpful!

Thanks for all the advice

 

[Raja]

yes you have all been very helpful!

Thanks for all the advice

Any time for a lady who thinks we r strange men :lol:

Stick with us after r grouting is finally finished

as we can advice in all areas there is a wealth of experiance on the forum

Each member has somthing special to offer my speciality being more of a erm well how can i put it erm

Ladies Man Maybe :lol:

All the best

 

[mailsamwilliams]

hehe! you have made me giggle with your comments, so that can't be a bad thing! :yes: need all the encouragement I can get with this boring job on hand!!!

from the woman with grout dust in her hair :lol: (I would imagine - just the way you like em on here) :hair2: any excuse to use your cool emoticons!