People don’t give much thought to the colour of grout – but it can make a big difference in your bathroom or kitchen.
Watch: DIY bathroom jobs you can do yourself
The good news is that if you want to change the colour of your grout, you can!
How to change grout colour
Liz Giorgio is an Interior-focused Architect Director at Space&. She says, “As well as serving the vital function of preventing leaks to your wet area, grout colour can completely change the design aesthetic of your home.”
She adds: “When selecting tiles, grout type and colour is usually a last-minute decision made on the spot.”
So it’s not uncommon for people to change their mind later.
Types of grout: cement vs epoxy
There are two types of grout to choose from: cement based and epoxy based.
Cement-based grouts can be sanded or unsanded particles mixed with cement and water.
Epoxy-based grout is tougher, stickier and more durable and dries relatively quickly. So it’s a good idea to have it installed by a professional.
The team at tradie marketplace, hipages, says, “Cement grout is one of the many material options that can be used within grout work and bathroom renovations.
“The pros of working with cement-based grouting are that it can be a cheaper alternative and more natural looking than epoxy-based materials.
“However, cement grout isn’t waterproof or chemical resistant. It also has a short setting time which can lead to errors, and it’s less durable over time.”
Keep in mind that not all tiles can be used with epoxy. For example, natural stones are too porous, and you must use cement-based grout.
How do you recolour existing grout?
There are two ways to recolour existing grout. Unfortunately, it’s not possible to put new grout over old grout. Instead, you can either recolour the grout or replace the existing grout.
How to recolour grout
This option is the easiest way to change the grout colour. Using a professional grade grout colourant, you can change the colour of your grout.
Before diving in and repainting your grout, ensure you’ve read the instructions for your product carefully and that you’ve prepped the area properly.
“Before applying the paint, always use a primer,” says the hipages team. “Always ensure you are using the correct primer for the type of tile you have (i.e. use a ceramic primer for a ceramic tile).”
Additionally, they suggest you sand back your tiles to help the pigment bond to them.
“Then, apply your paint or epoxy resin and allow it to dry.”
“Once you’ve added all the coats you need, let the paint cure for a set amount of time and add a finishing coat of polyurethane as a finish.”
How many coats?
To find out how many coats you need, it’s best to follow what’s recommended in the instructions.
But as a handy tip, the hipages team says, “A general rule of thumb is that one coat when dry will always appear lighter than the product when it’s wet.”
How to replace grout
If you’ve decided that replacing grout is your best option, getting it wrong can cost you a lot of money. So make sure you consult an expert and do your homework before you begin.
“Replacing or repairing grout can be a DIY project,” says the team at hipages.
“If you want to repair or replace your grout yourself, you only need a few inexpensive tools from your local hardware supplier.”
How to remove grout
The easiest way to remove the old grout is to purchase a grout saw.
Once you’ve removed the grout, you must thoroughly clean the area. Any leftover dust can stop the new grout from sticking.
The hipages team explains two ways to clean the narrow channel left after you’ve removed the old grout.
How to remove grout dust
- You can use a spray bottle and a toothbrush. Apply water with the spray bottle and scrub with the toothbrush. When you’re done, wipe the area with a rag to remove any remaining dust and grime.
- You can use a narrow blowgun nozzle to blow out dust and embedded chips. After you’ve blown out the material, vacuum the cracks or use a damp rag. The important thing is to remove all the damaged grout and thoroughly clean the cavity before you start grouting. When that’s done, you can start grouting.
How to replace grout
Before you get started, you will need to purchase a grout float and have a damp sponge nearby. The higpages team explains how to apply new grout.
Step-by-step instructions for applying new grout:
- Apply the grout diagonally, keeping your grout float on an angle.
- Reverse direction to embed the grout.
- Drag the grout float straight down the tiles to remove the excess.
- Let set for five minutes.
- Use your sponge to clean grout from the surface of your tiles.
- If you’re working in a wet area, you will need to come back and apply a sealer to the grout after it sets. For best results, let it set for three days. The sealer will prevent moisture from soaking into the grout. Some sealers will get on your tiles, so wipe them clean before the sealer dries.
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