Grout is an important part of your tile installation. It not only provides a finished look, but it also helps protect your tile from water damage. If your grout is cracked, stained, or otherwise in need of repair, you may be wondering if you can simply regrout over the existing grout.
The short answer is “no.”
If you put new grout over old grout, several problems can arise (more on this later). Sometimes DIYers attempt to do this, putting a skim coat of new grout over their old grout or regrouting tile without removing old grout. It looks great – for a little while. But it doesn’t take long for the “fresh” coat to fail.
In this post, we’ll explain more about why grout cracks and what regrouting can do to help. If you need help with regrouting in South Elgin, Geneva, St Charles, Schaumburg, IL or the Chicagoland area be sure to contact Prestige Grout. We have been restoring, installing, and repairing natural stone and tile floors for over 10 years and are your go-to, family-owned company for all kinds of grout repair and restoration services.
Why Does Grout Crack?
Grout is a porous material that can easily become stained or cracked over time. The grout between your tiles may start to crack due to a number of factors. For example, if your tile installation is not on a suitable subfloor, a flat surface, or was not prepped properly, your grout can crack. Placing an excessive amount of weight on one particular area can also lead to cracking. Powerful cleaning products and harsh chemicals can wear away at your grout over time as well.
What You Can Do to Prevent Grout from Cracking
The best way to keep your grout looking and working great is to take good care of it. Avoid allowing water to sit on top of the surface, as this can cause staining, mold or mildew. It’s also a good idea to use non-abrasive cleaning products like ph neutral cleaners, and always clean up spills as soon as they happen. If you do notice cracks forming in your grout, it’s important to get them repaired right away. Not only will allowing cracks to continue progress impair the look of your floor, but it can also lead to worse damage in the future and the need to replace the entire floor.
How to Know if Your Existing Grout Needs Regrouting
Regrouting your old existing grout is a fairly tedious process and it’s important to hire a professional.
If your grout is in good condition but has just become dirty or faded over time, your grout might just need a good cleaning. If the tiles are too small or too loose, you may need to replace the floor entirely.
Regrouting involves removing the old grout and replacing it with a fresh batch of new grout. This can restore the look of your tile installation and provide protection for many years to come.
The key here is removing the old grout. When you put a skim coat over your old grout with new grout, here’s what can happen:
The new mix and the old mix won’t adhere properly. This can leave your floors, shower, or other tile prone to water damage and mold.
No problem. You’ll just stick some new grout where the cracks are – nope. This is unlikely to adhere and will be prone to separation. Sometimes these patched up spots will just flake away right after curing.
You will also be able to easily notice the fresh areas and the old grout.
You shouldn’t regrout over existing grout. If your grout has been severely damaged by water, mold, or other factors, you may need to replace it entirely. This involves scraping out and removing the old to bring in the new.
We carefully scrape out any loose or damaged grout and mortar before getting started, prep the surface with several cleaning techniques and then install a new quality pre-sealed grout that will last for years to come.
If you’re not sure if your grout needs regrouting, an experienced professional can help you assess the situation and decide what’s best.
At Prestige Grout, we offer a wide range of natural stone restoration and repair services for homeowners in South Elgin, Geneva, St Charles, Schaumburg and beyond. Whether you need new grout installed or want to restore the existing grout, we can help.
If you’re looking for a reliable company that can help with regrouting and other natural stone restoration services, Prestige Grout is here for you. Contact us today to learn more about our services or to schedule an appointment!
