The Preparation for Regrouting a Shower

Old Caulk

• Caulk is used to seal gaps between to objects to keep them air or watertight. In most cases, the caulk used in your shower will remain somewhat elastic and pliable. Use a straight blade scraping tool to remove as much of the damaged and dirty grout as you can. Wipe the tiles with a cloth and isopropyl alcohol to remove loose bits between the tile and clean the tile surface.

Old Grout

• It is very important to remove at least a one-eigth of an inch of the old grout to give the new grout a proper adhering base. If you apply new grout over the old, there is a good possibility the new grout will flake off over time and your walls will be vulnerable to mold. Consider purchasing or renting a power scraping tool to perform this task. Tools are available with a flat or rotary blade to minimize the time and labor intensity of this step. Be sure to use protective eye-wear while performing the procedure. Begin working between the horizontal tiles first. Once that is completed, repeat the procedure on the vertical plane. Use a utility knife to remove the grout in areas your power tool is unable to reach. While the task should only take a few hours to complete, it can cause hand and arm fatigue. Rest frequently to minimize muscle aches.

Loose Grout

• Make sure you have removed all of the old grout by using a grout cleaning brush or an old toothbrush to remove any loose grout remaining in the grout lines. Inspect as you go to ensure you have removed a consistent one-eigth inch of grout. Use a razor edge scraping tool to remove any areas you may have missed.

Vacuum

• Grout will adhere best to a clean surface. Use a shop-vac to remove any excess dust or lingering grout between and on the tiles. Wear a dust mask while performing this task to prevent breathing in any airborne dust. Once you complete this final step, your shower is ready to be regrouted.