Regrout wall tiles — HomeGraft

Rake out old, cracked grout and apply fresh grout to refresh your tiled wall in a single afternoon.

RG-01Clear and protect the areaMove anything nearby out of the splash zone and lay dust sheets or old towels along the skirting and floor below the tiles. Open a window or run an extractor fan, since raking out old grout creates fine dust. Put on safety glasses and a dust mask before you start.

1 each · Dust sheet

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1 each · Dust mask (FFP2 or better)

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1 pair · Safety glasses

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RG-02Check the grout and pick your toolLook along the joints for cracking, crumbling, staining or gaps where water could get behind the tiles. Press a grout saw or manual raking tool into a short test section to see how easily the old grout comes away. If it's rock hard, a small cordless grout removal tool with a carbide blade will save your wrists.

1 each · Manual grout rake/saw

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RG-03Rake out the old groutWork along each joint, pulling the tool towards you in short strokes rather than digging in. Aim to remove grout to a depth of about 2-3mm below the tile face, enough for new grout to key in without disturbing the tile adhesive behind. Keep the tool flat against the tile edges so you don't chip the glaze, and go slowly at corners and around sockets.

RG-04Vacuum and clean the jointsVacuum every joint to lift out loose grout dust and debris, then wipe over with a damp cloth or sponge. Let the wall dry fully before you carry on. Any dust left behind will stop the new grout bonding properly.

1 each · Sponge

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RG-05Mask off edges if neededIf you're working near a bath, worktop or a different wall colour, run a strip of masking tape along the edge to keep grout haze off it. Skip this if you're confident with a float and the joints are away from other surfaces.

1 roll · Masking tape

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RG-06Mix and apply the new groutMix your grout following the pack instructions until it's like thick peanut butter, then load a rubber grout float and press it into the joints at a 45° angle in a diagonal sweeping motion. Work in small sections of about 1m² at a time so it doesn't start to skin over before you clean it off.

1 each · Tile grout (2.5kg tub)

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1 each · Rubber grout float

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RG-07Shape and clean the jointsOnce the grout starts to firm up, usually within 15-20 minutes, run a damp sponge diagonally across the tiles to remove excess and smooth each joint. Rinse the sponge often in clean water so you're not just smearing grout around. Work in the same small sections you grouted, so nothing dries too hard to shift.

1 each · Sponge

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1 each · Bucket

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RG-08Polish off the grout hazeLeave the grout to dry for the time stated on the pack, usually a few hours, then buff the tiles with a dry, lint-free cloth to remove the powdery haze left behind. Check the joints are level and fully filled, and touch up any low spots with a little extra grout on a fingertip.

1 each · Lint-free cloth

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RG-09Seal the grout if needed, then tidy upIf you've used a light-coloured or unsanded grout, or you're in a shower area, apply a grout sealer once fully cured (check the pack, often 24-72 hours) to help resist staining and water. Wipe down the tiles, wash your tools straight away before grout sets on them, and let the room ventilate until any smell clears.

1 bottle · Grout sealer

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PART OF A BIGGER PROJECT

Give a kitchen a makeover without replacing it · Refresh a bathroom without replacing the suite · Get a house ready to sell: the snagging list

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