How to remove old grout from tile joints: how to remove grout

Apartment repair often turns into an endless struggle for people, during which a lot of effort, financial resources and, most importantly, time is spent. Therefore, many prefer to update the look of their apartment with cosmetic repairs. The most demanding room is a bathroom, as even qualitatively made repairs quickly lose their original shine under the influence of moisture. Almost all people try to finish the bathroom with tiles, because this material can withstand the negative effects of moisture for many years. The appearance of even expensive tiles can spoil the grout, which eventually darkens, turns black, it creates chips and cracks. Therefore, the question of replacing the grout is relevant for many owners.

Replacement of the grout is most often necessary for the following reasons:

• does not fill the entire depth of the seams when applied. As a result, air spaces are formed, which destroy the grout;
• use of the wrong type of grouting: for the bathroom, you must choose a moisture-repellent and moisture-resistant grout, because it is due to water ingress and material is destroyed;
• use of aggressive cleaning products: when washing tiles in the bathroom, sometimes, strong chemicals are used, which destroy not only dirt, but also grout, and also erase the outer covering of the tile. Therefore, in order to prevent negative effects on the tiles and seams, you need to more carefully choose cleaning agents. The main thing to remember - expensive - is not always the best.

After two to three years of fresh repair, grouting, if the work was done poorly, begins to darken, to the point that it takes on a practically black shade. This happens due to the fact that in the grout formed microcracks, and sometimes large cracks, which gets moisture. Under the influence of moisture begins to form a mold that looks like black spots. Do not wait for the appearance of mold, because if you do not take measures to remove it in time, the process of tile destruction will begin. The moment you noticed that the grout between the tiles had lost its integrity, or changed its shade a little: it started to turn black, it's worthwhile to think about replacing the grout so that the negative consequences do not come.

Although it is very easy to remove the grout, there are often problems: if the wrong method is chosen, you can destroy the tile, the replacement of which can cost a round sum. Therefore, use only proven methods for removing grout from tile joints.

Before starting any construction and repair work, attention must be paid to protecting one's health. During repair, the human body is exposed to a lot of dust, exposure to the skin of various materials, many of which cause irritation or an allergic reaction, and small fragments can damage the eyes or other parts of the face. Therefore, before starting work, it is worth buying gloves, a respirator, as well as special glasses. Completely secure yourself from the negative impact, you can start work.

drill Before beginning the removal of the grout in this way, all joints must be treated with a special solution of vinegar and water( one to two).It is more convenient to apply the solution with a soft cloth or a conventional dishwashing sponge, after which it is necessary to wait 15-20 minutes until the solution is absorbed into the grout.

Prepare a drill: the drill must be a diameter with a width of the seam, so as not to damage the edges of the tile. In addition, it is necessary to use the tool only at low speeds and firmly pressing the drill to the seam, so that during work it does not fly off and damage the appearance of the tile.

If the farm does not have a drill, then you can use any metal object that you can hook on a part of the grout. There are only two requirements for tool selection: it should be less sharp( thin), and also oblong form. Removal occurs by translational movements up and down.

. Similar work can also be done with the help of a Bulgarian. Naturally, the diameter of the disk, zholzhen match the intertice seam.

After removing all the main parts of the grout, the seams should be cleaned of the rest of the material, preferably using cotton swabs or special blowers, after which the surface is ready for applying a new grout.

For the removal of grout mechanically suitable and the usual metal spatula, which is sold in any construction shop. Its structure makes it easy to remove the old grout and not damage the appearance of the tile, but provided that the surface has been sufficiently treated with the above solution.

If mechanical methods no longer help, or you do not have the desire or time to manually remove the remnants of the material, then you can use chemicals, both tested "folk" and modern. When using chemicals, you need to be careful, becauseThe possible chemical effect on the tile can spoil its appearance. In addition, the above measures to protect their health are mandatory in this case.

To prepare this solution, it is necessary to mix citric acid and water, and then allow time to infuse. After this, by applying a sponge or a rag to the rest of the grout, you can easily remove all unnecessary particles. To use this method it is necessary to obtain a solution of high concentration, in addition, you can not do without using a spatula or knife, which will need to remove the bulk of the grout.

Valo Clean - helps to soften the hardened grout. After using this remedy, the residues of the substance must be removed mechanically.

Litostrip - also promotes softening of the grout. In the event that any solid particles remain after the initial treatment, it is necessary to repeat the procedure in a similar way.

In addition, there is a large number of chemicals that are specifically designed for a separate type of grouting. In most cases, they go under the same brand with a grout. Such tools are most effective for removing the old grout.

When grout replacement is not required, you can use the seam upgrade. With the correct use of this method, the grout must acquire its original shade, and also restore its integrity and strength. To renew the seam, you need to purchase special chemicals, which are sold in almost every construction shop. Among them are: Edding 8200, PUFAS FRISCHE FUGE, LITOCLEAN, which are produced in white and gray tones, but with them you can use colors.