A DIY Guide to Fixing Cracked Grout in Your Shower

Cracks in your grout can be a source of leaks in your shower, which will not only result in a considerable amount of water loss in your home but also promote the growth of mould and mildew and create unsightly stains in your ceilings. Fixing cracked or brittle shower grouts should not be a hard task. If you are the avid DIYer about to start on bathroom renovations, with a few basic tools, a bag of grout, and the right procedure, you should be able to repair your cracked shower grout like a pro. Here is your guide on how to do it the right way.

Step 1: Perform A Thorough Inspection

Inspect all the shower tiles thoroughly because you may have more than a single area with cracked grout. As you pinpoint the locations where repairs are needed, use painter's tape or masking tape to mark those areas. It is important to determine all the problematic areas because this will also help you know the best repair method. For instance, some grout may be cracked but still firm. For such damage, you may need a different repair approach compared to grout that is flaking away.

If there are areas of mould, mildew or soap scum, thoroughly clean them first before you start your inspection.

Step 2: Gather Your Tools

Some of the tools you may need for your grout repair project include the grout itself, a grout saw, a bucket, grout sealer, a putty knife, a grout squeegee or sponge, a flat-head screwdriver, a hammer and a narrow chisel. Remember, however, that grout is available in a range of colour,s and you may not always get the perfect match even if you bring a piece of the cracked grout to the store. You shouldn't worry much about this because you can always darken or lighten the shade of the grout by adding more grout mix or water to the grout mixture respectively.

Step 3: Remove and Apply the Grout

Start removing any loose pieces of the damaged grout using your flat-head screwdriver, grout saw, a hammer and a chisel, etc. until you reach the solid grout. Next, scrape and brush out the joints thoroughly. Before you apply the grout, you will have to mix it first. It is usually recommended that you use pre-mixed grout because it makes your work easy and ensures your grout mixture is of the right consistency. Otherwise, you will need a bucket to mix the grout according to the instructions. Once you have the right mix, use a grout squeegee or sponge to apply your new grout. Use a damp sponge to clean out the excess once the grout has set.

Step 4: Seal the Grout

Sealing the grout with a grout sealer is the last step, and it works to protect your work as well as strengthen any areas withf minor damage, such as hairline cracks. Sealing should be done after the grout dries up.