Grout Removal/Reno Job Need Advice

[Bodger]

I've got a job where the tile and grout in a shower is about 15 years old and has turned from a terra cotta color to a slate gray, but only about two feet up from the floor, and the entire floor. I scraped some of it away to about an eight of an inch deep and it came off as a gray dust.

Client wants the grout removed and replaced. Tiles are ceramic, grout lines about 3/8" wide so it's sanded grout.

Best way to remove grout? I have the Fein Multi-Tool with the diamond half moon blade, is that a likely suspect?

[Eieio]

There is no easy way.. I have tried sawzall grout removal tools, Grinders, Rotozips..

It is always a pain in the ass and takes twice as long as you think it will. I will never do a grout removal job ever again..

[Leo G]

That was the first thing that came to my mind (multi tool).

Second was a powder keg.:mad2:

[neolitic]

If there is a tool,
that's the one! http://i634.photobucket.com/albums/uu61/neoliticman/smilie/smiliethumbsup.gif

[Bodger]

Thanks, yeah, I figured the Fein was the front runner. That's a great tool.

Of course, there are areas, corners and such, where I'll be using a damn screwdriver or old butt chisel because that blade won't go in tight.

I would have passed on this but these people have been tossing me work left and right and I didn't want to slow the momentum. And they don't want any other people in the house right now for small jobs, so I couldn't pass it to my tile guy.

Next up with these folks is a good deck job, so I'm biting the bullet on stuff I'd rather not do.

[ChrWright]

With grout that old on ceramic, better count on some chipping.

I can't imagine getting sanded grout out completely without making a mess of the edges and corners--even with the Fein.

[Silvertree]

I have a Fein tool, its very slow going. Works better on the stuff if its failing, on a good grout (hard) job you'll never get done.

[Bodger]

Damn, I was afraid of that.

I did warn the folks that there would be some minor chipping. These are hand made Mexican tiles so they aren't perfect or anything, but chipping will show sure as hell.

Sheeeeit.

[kevjob]

Be very careful with that one, I have heard where people want to regrout in the hope that tile sget chipped beyond repair and demand replacement, not that there are dishonest HO out there.:idea:

[Blue]

http://coloryourgrout.com/

[afkama]

http://coloryourgrout.com/

Have you used this stuff, Blue?

Any issues with it?

[Blue]

Have you used this stuff, Blue?

Any issues with it?
No just messin with the old man!!! I'm sure at 29.99 its just a pint of Behr paint!

[bconley]

Tell them that that shower is probably rotted out, and sell them a new one.
5 bucks, says its the truth!

[Bodger]

Tell them that that shower is probably rotted out, and sell them a new one.
5 bucks, says its the truth!


I'm thinking that exact thing. The grout hasn't been sealed I'm sure in the entire time it's been there. And grout that gets discolored 1/4" deep usually means there's mold and mildew behind. I think.

Could be a mine field. I might disturb whatever is holding the damn thing together and right after I re-grout, it starts leaking in to the kitchen below.


Thanks Blue, I'm going to try that product first. Looks good. Probably the best kept secret in the tile business. :grin:

"Color Your Grout is NOT to be used in Showers/Tubs, Pools, Hot Tubs/Spas, Saunas/Steam Rooms, and Outdoors or continually wet areas. "

[nEighter]

Bodger I think by grinder you were talking about a grinder with a diamond cut blade on it.. wouldnt that be about the best cost effective way to do away with grout? Shit isnt cement by any means and if you could get the most of it with the round diamond blade with the grinder... you would be 3/4 the way there aside from the corners and tops of the wall..

what thinks you?

[nEighter]

remember bleu is just some french hack that floated his happy ass into thise country landing on the shores of Wichita KS and has since taken the remodeling world by storm..

[kevjob]

Bodger I have used coloseal for grout, which stians the grout and seals it all in one, takes about 3-4 hours for a regular 3x5 shower, runs about 15.00 per bottle. www.custombuildingproducts.com has the colorseal. Works great easy to use and looks fantatstic when done.