Re-Grout Counter Tiles

Tools:

putty knife
trowel
float
grout saw
soft rag
stiff brush
household cleaner
grout
grout sealer
small paint brush
caulk and caulk gun

1. Thoroughly clean the area with household cleaner then use a stiff-bristled brush to scour the grout joints (figure A).

2. Chip out the grout with a grout saw. If the joints are narrow, you may need to use a putty knife to clear out the joints to avoid damaging the tiles with a saw.

3. Scrape out the caulk along the seam where the counter meets the wall (figure B).

4. Use the stiff-bristled brush to clear out all the loose grout that has been chipped off, and clean the surface thoroughly.

5. Mix the grout according to the instructions on the package. Let the grout sit according to the instructions on the package, usually about 10 minutes.

7. Wipe over the entire surface with a barely damp sponge to bring up excess grout and even out the amount of the grout in the seams.

8. Wet your finger and run it along each joint to smooth out the joints. This is called tooling the joints.

9. Let it sit again for about 10 minutes until you see a white haze left behind on the tiles from the thin film of dry grout. Buff out the haze with a soft, dry cloth.

11. Tool out by wetting your finger and running it along the joint.

12. Moisten the grout joints with a spray bottle once a day for five days to help the caulk cure. On the fifth day, paint the caulk seams with a sealer recommended to work with your grout.