removing grout from washroom
 

Anyone have any experience on removing grout in the washroom? The grout is about 1mm. I need to regrout the washroom since I noticed theres been some cracking along the shower wall which caused water leaks.

Btw, there is grout (most of them cracked) along the joint where the tub meets the tile, but there is silcone that sealed it also. Is that improper use of grout, should I remove the grout there also and just use silicone instead?

Thanks!

Sure, it's simple.

There are two options:

1. grout saw: cheap, but time consuming and tendinitis inducing.

2. oscillating saw: typical power tool price range, but quick and other potential uses.

Grout along a tub inevitably cracks, but its not incorrect use per say. Caulk is a better alternative to grout in joints and transitions, but the majority of contractors don't use it. You should do this..

Remove the grout, fill the tub, caulk, wait 24-48 hours, drain the tub, caulk again. Use caulk at all joints (corners, fixtures) and transitions from tile to drywall.

I got to redo all the washrooms =S

will the oscillating saw be safe to use since there's only 1mm of separation between each tile?

An oscillating saw might have an advantage over a grout saw for precision, because you hold it in one place and it buzzes versus conventional sawing. 1mm is 1mm though, you'll need to pay close attention.

By any chance, is it marble or granite tile?
1mm spacing is standard for stone tiles, but uncommon otherwise.

just ceramic tiles, might be 1.5mm give or take. Never used an oscillating saw before, i dont want to crack a tile =S

I have this already.

http://www.amazon.com/Bosch-MX25EC-21-2-5-Amp-Multi-X-Oscillating/dp/B004HKCGQK/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
u know where I can buy the grout blade locally?
http://www.amazon.com/Bosch-OSC212RF-16-inch-Carbide-Grout/dp/B004UBDJLM/ref=pd_sim_hi_6
Homedepot doesnt carry them

i did one shower using an angle grinder with a diamond blade..made quick work of the task.

I wouldn't recommend the technique for amateurs-I've been using a grinder for more than its intended uses since I was 12, and I'm damned near surgical with it.

A very underrated, yet powerful tool. I use them with sanding pads for carving wood, diamond blade for tile(thats a given) and I even leveled a concrete floor with one(which I would never do again).

kms tools

Summit tools, too.
If home depot doesn't carry them you can usually just goto any "tools" store. Doesn't hurt to phone in just to double check before you make a trip.

use grinder or a dremel . caulk any
joints that meet a different material
ie tile to tub or tub to floor. any questions pm me If existing tile has already water damager you need a replacement.
.
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^-strong username for this subforum :notbad:

An angle grinder is the quickest method, but also the most risky.. it's possible to do several feet a minute, but its the most powerful and very few have a brake...

Two passes: one to cut a shallow channel, another to remove all the material.

Have a second person with a shop vac follow the cut, because angle grinders blow the material everywhere.

update: Ive been using the grout sander handtool from homedepot. It is very hard and it is not getting deep into the grout. The spacing between the tiles is very thin, so the tool only gets the top but not into the deeper parts, since the tiles are curved on the edges

Well, that's a problem.

Most all grit blades will be comparable thickness, whether for a reciprocating saw, oscillating saw, grinder, router. I would switch to an angle grinder with a diamond masonary blade, but be careful.

yeah dude...that will solve that narrow grout line problem....it will just as easily cut the tile. when you go to regrout, you'll have to be careful to make sure the brown, now exposed part of the tile is covered.

and the amount of dust will be intense. really intense.

It's not a great option, I don't see many alternatives though.

Grout lines that narrow are quite the predicament.

A reciprocating saw might work, what would you use?

im a novice so i do not know how to use a reciprocatin saw very accurately =S

already scratched some tiles with the grout saw already !

Well, I felt ok to go in with a grinder, as I said, its actually a toll that I've probably used the most.

It was also a rental...so who cares :) I wanted it done, and fast as I wasn't losing money to do this shit task.

If you lack the experience with tools, you'll easily be halfway through a tile before you realize you screwed up.

I suspect, to be honest-not offensive...that we're bouncing up against a bit of an experience/skill issue more than what tool to use. If the tiles are super tight, then just knock the top bit off the grout to give you enough for the new to hold and slap some in the gap. You will never get 100% of it unless you use the grinder which basically cuts a new grout line the width of the blade.

I dread when I will have to do this in my home one day. Instead of cutting out the old grout though I think I would rip off all the old tiles and backerboard & replace with new ones. More costly, but it would give me the opportunity to inspect behind the tiles as well. In addition, I've always wanted to install the little cubbies in the wall for my shampoo! :P

sorry to say but sometimes you just have to go the hard route. blood sweat and tears and no power tools. pm op . i dont want you doing all the hardwork and realise your insides are shit. Couple hundred diy and you will have new tiled bathroom.
Posted via RS Mobile my username changed it few years back and since i did the construction business, i preferred over my actual name as username.