Regrouting a Shower Surround: Rake, Apply, Cure and Recaulk

Regrouting a dingy shower surround took only a few hours a day over a few days, according to the Repairs101 creator, who first did the job at twenty years old with just a putty knife and an old box cutter. The work needs little equipment or skill, though anyone unused to manual labour may find it daunting.

Preparation

The first step was repainting the bathroom. The drain is plugged and a drop sheet laid down, because the job makes a lot of dust that should stay out of the pipes. The old silicone is pulled back, then a grout rake removes a layer of grout throughout.

Removing dust and applying grout

Dust has to be cleared without getting the grout wet, otherwise the joints need another day to dry out. The creator used a ready-mix grout. Diagonal strokes generally work best, but not always.

Cleaning up

About half an hour after application, the grout has set up enough to start sponging clean. A plastic scraper is ideal for removing excess grout from the tile surfaces before everything is wiped down with a sponge for a smooth, even surface.

Curing

The grout needs seventy-two hours to cure before a shower. If that is too long to wait, plastic can be hung over the tile to protect the grout, but it must come down right after the shower so air can get at it.

Final polish and caulk

The last step is the most tedious. A plastic scraper handles small chunks still clinging to the tiles, and clean cotton rags polish the haze off each tile individually. The caulking should be rated for bath and tile, and it is smoothed with a gloved finger dipped in paint thinner.