Get rid of grim-looking grout with these oh-so-simple removal methods
If you’re looking to renovate a kitchen or a bathroom, removing grout on your own can save you on tile installation costs. This process looks difficult from the outside (grout is, after all, partly cement), but it’s actually pretty simple if you use the right method. If all goes well, you can get the job done in as little as an afternoon. This guide will teach you how to remove grout from tile in a few simple steps.
Generally, you should remove old grout before you regrout tile—even if you’re just replacing a tile or two on a small backsplash. New grout won’t properly adhere to old grout, so it could crack and crumble prematurely. Regardless, there are usually a few reasons homeowners choose to take on this project:
Replacing tile: If you plan to undergo a kitchen or bathroom remodel, you may want to replace some of your old tile or repair damaged areas—particularly if the tile is loose, which points to a grout issue. If that’s the case, you’ll need to remove the old grout before you can retile the area.
Damaged grout: If you have cracked or loose grout, it’s usually better to replace it than try to fix it.
Moldy or discolored grout: Though you can clean grout, it’s sometimes very difficult to get rid of stains and mold buildup (though epoxy grout is a little more forgiving). In this case, it may just be easier to replace it.
Grout on the tile surface: If there’s grout on the surface of your tile from a sloppy grout job, you should remove it.
Style: Grout comes in different colors. If you want to change the color of your grout, you’ll need to remove it and replace it. This is typically more effective than trying to colorize existing grout.
Grout removal is usually wrapped into the cost of tile floor installation or a smaller tile replacement project. That said, if your tile is in good condition, you can still hire a pro to replace damaged and discolored grout. Typically, you’ll pay around $10 to $25 per square foot, but it depends on the size of the area and the type of tile. Larger tiles with thinner joints require less grout than smaller tiles with wider joints.
There are two main ways you can remove grout from tile: manually or mechanically. One method takes a bit more elbow grease, using a plastic knife or grout saw. The other method uses a power tool, but it’s a lot easier to damage your tile.
If you’re in the process of grouting an area of tile, you can remove wet grout pretty easily. Simply wipe it from the surface of your tile with a wet sponge before it dries.
Mistakes happen. If you have dried grout on the surface of your tile, you can use a plastic scraper to dislodge it. Just make sure you press the blade gently against the tile as you scrape forward, so you don’t damage the tile. Wipe the dust away with a warm damp cloth or sponge when you’re done.
The best way to remove grout over a large area is to use an oscillating tool with a blade specifically designed for grout removal. Put on safety goggles, attach the grout-removal blade, and follow these steps:
Hold the oscillating tool in the center of the grout seam.
Keep the blade vertical if the grout line is vertical and horizontal if the grout line is horizontal.
Turn on the power.
Lightly press the blade into the grout, removing chunks of grout as you go.
Tilt your blade at an angle, removing grout you may have missed from the edges of the joint.
Vacuum to clean up.
Your oscillating tool should remove grout easily on its own. Never push the blade with force. You could end up damaging your tile or the substrate behind it.
Manual grout removal tools, like joint scrapers and grout saws, are a great way to remove grout that your oscillating tool missed or grout over a small area. Make sure the tool you use has a carbide tip or blade. Simply fit the head of the tool into the joint, and scrape out as much grout as possible.
If there’s still a little bit of grout left after you’ve used a grout removal tool, scrape the remaining grout with a dull utility knife. Dull is the key word: Not only will grout dull an ultra-sharp blade, but sharp knives can snap and cause injury.
In an ideal world, the grout replacement process is as smooth as a layer of brand new grout. Unfortunately, old grout can sometimes be stubborn, and removing it can make a mess. These tips can help.
Softening the grout can make it easier to remove—especially if you’re using a manual tool. Try soaking the grout in sugar water or a solution made from vinegar or lemon juice. Sometimes even a warm blow dryer does the trick.
An oscillating tool can create a lot of dust from the grout. If you’re using a battery-powered tool, you can spray the surface of the tile with a light mist of water to trap the dust. Don’t do this if you’re using a corded tool, since water is a hazard around electricity.
You can put a strip of painters tape along the edges of your tile to protect the surface from scratches. If you want something a little hardier, tape down some cardboard.
If you’re trying to fix cracked or damaged grout, you don’t actually need to remove all of the old grout. You just need to remove the top 1/8-inch or so. If the grout won’t budge beyond that, don’t force it. It’s better to not risk damaging your tile.
If you want to avoid a mess, enlist a friend to hold a vacuum cleaner nozzle next to the seam of the tile as you use the oscillating tool. It should suck up the dust and small chunks of grout as you go.
If you know your way around a power tool, grout removal (and grout installation) is fairly straightforward. It does, however, take some patience and elbow grease.
If you don’t want to spend an afternoon scraping a shower wall, you may just want to hire a tile contractor near you. In general, pros charge anywhere from $600 to $2,500 to regrout a shower; a smaller area can cost less.
The savings are typically significant for a DIY job. Just make sure you know what you’re doing, because a cracked substrate, broken tile, or water damage can negate your savings.
There are two main ways you can remove dried grout from tile. The first is using a power tool called an oscillating tool. Make sure to attach a tip that’s specifically made for grout removal. The second way is using a manual grout removal tool, like a grout saw or joint scraper, with a carbide blade or tip.
There are a few different ways you can soften grout for removal. You can apply a mixture of warm water and either lemon juice or vinegar. Sugar water also works. Saturate the grout and allow it to soak for 10 to 20 minutes.
If that doesn’t work, you can purchase a chemical grout softener. These are typically made from sulfamic acid. Mix it with water per the manufacturer's instructions.
To remove tile grout, most people use either an oscillating tool or reciprocating saw with a grout-removal tip. These power tools work on all kinds of grout—including very tough, epoxy-based grout. For a small area of cement-based grout, you can usually get away with using a grout saw or joint scraper, but it does take some elbow grease.
