Can you grout over grout? It is highly recommended to remove your old and damaged grout before applying new grout.
So, you are noticing that your grout seems to be separating, cracking, or crumbling? Often, when we look at what appear to be small issues with our home finishes, we jump to the Internet to search for repair solutions. Though, fissures in your grout are small, failing grout is no small problem. The question becomes…
Can I put new grout over my old grout?
The short answer is, “no.” You cannot put new grout over old grout.
With regard to filling in holes and cracks on the surfaces in our homes, we might compare grout repair to drywall repair. For holes in drywall, we would simply purchase spackle, and fill the hole in. This same method is simply not the answer for correcting issues with failing grout.
Why you can’t apply new grout over the top of old grout.
Unlike spackle, which is a putty, specifically formulated for filling in drywall, plaster, or wood, grout is a mixture of powder and water that creates a porous paste. It is specially formulated to form a bond between tiles and make showers watertight. Once your grout begins to fail by cracking and crumbling, it must be removed and replaced.
There are a couple of reasons you can’t just add new grout to old grout.
- If you try adding new grout over your old grout, the new mixture will not properly adhere to the existing grout or tile edges, leaving your shower open to water damage. If you attempt to add grout just inside cracks or areas of separation, the grout will simply cure and begin to break away – leaving you back where you started.
- You would also notice that adding new grout will not be aesthetically pleasing, as the new layer would be thin. This means that your old grout will be seen beneath, and if you were to only treat one area, you would see the difference in the “repaired” area versus the area that you did not add grout to.
The Grout Medic offers comprehensive regrouting for your old grout issues.
Don’t try putting a Band-Aid on your old grout by adding a new grout layer on top. Call on The Grout Medic location near you for comprehensive regrouting solutions. Our grout and tile technicians will visit your home to discuss regrouting your shower, backsplash, countertop, or floor. We can regrout any tiled surface in your home, and most areas need only one visit to complete. The Grout Medic will remove all your old grout, clean the area, and meticulously re-apply all-new grout. If you want to extend the life of your tiled surface, regrouting is a very affordable solution, which will give you amazing, like-new results.
If you’re considering regrouting your tiled surfaces, make sure to consult a professional tile contractor first. Get in touch with us by filling out our form here. We look forward to hearing from you!
