I recently redid a bathroom - all but the tile floor. In the process of installing a new tub, I had to replace five tiles. The issue is the grout is close to the old grout (little over 10 years old) but not a perfect match.

Can you actually regrout over existing grout without "rotozipping" out the existing grout?

I have been told you can etch the existing grout and then skim with the new grout.

I recently redid a bathroom - all but the tile floor. In the process of installing a new tub, I had to replace five tiles. The issue is the grout is close to the old grout (little over 10 years old) but not a perfect match.Not to be unexpected. If you had the five extra tiles you needed, you are better off than most people ever are when they are in the same situation as you.


Can you actually regrout over existing grout without "rotozipping" out the existing grout?

You need 1/8" depth or 2/3 the thickness of the tile, whichever is greater. There are several tools you can use, rotozip and dremels, there's a sawzall attachment called a grout grabber, there's inexpensive hand held grout saws and oscillating tools such as a fein multimaster or Bosch now makes one and Harbor Freight also has a knock off version of it.


I have been told you can etch the existing grout and then skim with the new grout.

If only it were that easy. Without enough depth, it will just flake off. There is one other option, though. Grout colorants are topical applications that both recolor and seal the grout at the same time. You'd get many many years of service out of the floor before touch ups would be needed. It's an easy way in cases like yours to make everything match again.

Home Page (http://www.groutdye.com)
Grout cleaning, tile cleaning, grout cleaner, grout sealer, grout colorant (http://www.thisoldgrout.com)
Aqua Mix - Home (http://www.aquamix.com)

Good luck