Changing Or Removing Grout From Tile Flooring

Over time grout is not going to look as pretty as it once did, unless you're relentless about cleaning it of course. But normal wear and tear is bound to happen regardless. If you still love your tiling flooring and are not looking to change it but your grout is driving you crazy, it's not that hard to remove it. If just the color itself is driving you bonkers, I'll teach you how to change that too.

Let's start first with changing grout color. Although this sounds like it would be the easier choice of the two, in reality, it's not. It's much more tedious work that requires a lot of patience and a steady hand. You can visit a home improvement store and pick up grout colorant. While there, also pick up a grout brush or you can use a clean toothbrush.

The more porous the grout, the easier it will be to color it. If it's not that porous, the color won't stick no matter how many layers of color you apply. Simply apply the colorant to the grout brush and start coloring the grout lines. Be careful not to get the colorant all over the tile flooring. If you do, it's not that big of a deal and it should wash off. The darker you want the color, the more layers you will have to apply and that could take quite some time to accomplish. After you're done, let it dry for at least 24 hours and clean off any color from the ceramic tiles.

Removing grout will not be as grueling, but it's not a fun job either. Start by removing or covering any nearby appliances and fixtures. Wear protective clothing, including safety glasses, gloves, and a dust mask. You can protect the edges of your tiling flooring with painter's tape. Purchase a grout saw from the hardware store, preferably one with a carbide bit. Make an incision down the middle of the grout line with the saw. Then use a grout scraper to remove the grout in between the tiles. A chisel and hammer can be a good substitute if you don't own a grout scraper.

Lightly tap the chisel to remove any remaining pieces of grout. If the leftover bits are a nuisance, use a dull-bladed utility knife instead. Afterward, remove the painter's tape and scrub away any leftover grout. In order to prevent grout from re-hardening on the ceramic tiles, clean the tiles immediately after you're finished.

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