Mistakes Everyone Makes When Regrouting Tile

Jumping on the tile trends that will dominate in 2025 to refresh your bathroom or kitchen may stretch your budget, but regrouting dated tiles might not. Apart from being an affordable way to update the whole look, regrouting helps get rid of any discoloration, cracks, and moldy growth colonizing the gaps. This restores functionality to the tiles that might've come loose due to the grout being in disrepair. However, despite being DIY-friendly, regrouting isn't as straightforward as tutorials make it seem and entails scope for plenty of missteps. Speaking exclusively to House Digest, Irakli Khizanishvili, CEO and owner of Proslit Tile & Stone, warned against the mistakes of choosing the wrong type of grout, not removing enough of the old grout, skipping surface prep, mixing grout improperly, and rushing the process. 

Unless you've switched to epoxy grout, you're typically limited to choosing between sanded or unsanded cement grout. "Using sanded vs. unsanded grout incorrectly based on joint size can cause cracks or poor finish," Khizanishvili said. "Choose the correct grout type based on the size of the grout joints and tile material." Because of its gritty texture, sanded grout is ideal only for gaps wider than ⅛ inch and usually for floor tiles. In contrast, unsanded grout's smoothness ensures a sturdier hold on vertically tiled surfaces with under ⅛-inch-wide joints. It also pairs better with delicate tiles. 

Elaborating on the mistake of inadequate grout removal in his exclusive interview with House Digest, Irakli Khizanishvili said, "Many people leave too much of the old grout behind, which prevents the new grout from properly adhering." Instead, he said, "Use a grout removal tool to clear at least ⅔ of the depth of the old grout." For those looking to remove and replace tile grout, Khizanishvili recommended using a grout saw or oscillating tool. A grout saw is good for precise work on small surfaces, but to tackle bigger projects and save some labor and time, it's best to use an oscillating tool. Since this step produces a lot of dust and noise, Khizanishvili reminded DIYers, "Always wear proper eye and respiratory protection when removing grout, especially with power tools."

Skipping surface prep is another mistake Khizanishvili said to avoid. After removing the deteriorated grout, he said to "clean out all dust and debris from the joints. Not cleaning the tiles and joints thoroughly can lead to weak grout bonds and future failures." Vacuum the grout wreckage and scoop up any remnant dust with a damp sponge. After you've cleaned the area thoroughly, he advised to "let it dry completely before applying new grout."

If you aren't working with premixed tile grout, you will have to carefully watch how you whip up your chosen grout for a successful outcome. "Adding too much water or not mixing thoroughly can weaken the grout's strength," cautioned Irakli Khizanishvili in his exclusive interview with House Digest. He said the easiest way to avoid making this error is to "mix new grout according to package directions." As long as the mix is smooth, yet not runny, you're good to go. "[The] consistency should be similar to peanut butter," he said.

"Test grout color on a small area first to ensure satisfaction before completing the entire project," Khizanishvili advised. For the next steps in the process, "Apply grout using a rubber float, working it into the joints at a 45-degree angle; wipe off excess grout with a damp sponge once it begins to haze; [and] allow grout to cure based on product guidelines." When scraping off excess grout, don't use an excessively wet sponge, or it might dislodge the grout. 

Finally, Khizanishvili warned against rushing since not letting the grout fully cure could lead to cracking or flaking. "Allow proper cure time and avoid heavy use of the tiled area until the grout is fully set," he advised. He also suggested applying a grout sealer. "Sealing the grout after full curing will dramatically increase its longevity and stain resistance," he said.