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nosohandyman · Nov 9, 2009, 07:46 PM

I just like to know if I need to rinse the grout lines before I apply new grout? It is for the floor and the gap between the tiles are not wide. It is difficult to pour water in it to rinse.

ballengerb1 · Nov 9, 2009, 07:52 PM

Remove most all of the old grout and a good vacuuming is all that's needed. How did you remove the old grout?

nosohandyman · Nov 9, 2009, 08:09 PM

Originally Posted by ballengerb1

Remove most all of the old grout and a good vacuuming is all thats needed. How did you remove the old grout?

Just using grout saw. I guess I can only vacuum from the grout line opening?

ballengerb1 · Nov 9, 2009, 09:00 PM

Grout saw works but is a long slow process. There are tools running from $100 to $400 that do it quicker but you may not need this tool for many other projects. Multi-Max? / Model: Multi-Max Rockwell and Fein also make a version at a higher price. Yes vac the grout lines but make sure you removed at least half or more of the depth.

nosohandyman · Nov 10, 2009, 08:47 AM

Originally Posted by ballengerb1

Grout saw works but is a long slow process. There are tools running from $100 to $400 that do it quicker but you may not need this tool for many other projects. Multi-Max? / Model: Multi-Max Rockwell and Fein also make a version at a higher price. Yes vac the grout lines but make sure you removed at least half or more of the depth.

I am still seeing some cracks deep in the grout line but nothing crumbling. I assume that is OK?

Bljack · Nov 10, 2009, 02:30 PM

I am still seeing some cracks deep in the grout line but nothing crumbling. I assume that is OK?

No, that's not OK and this info not in your first post changes everything and is cause for alarm.

So this is regrouting cracking and crumbling grout or regrouting because it's dirty and you can't get it clean and want to redo it?

Cracking and crumbling grout will just crack crumble out again. If this is where walls meet each other or some other disimilar surface, those are areas that should have only ever been caulked and not grouted. Don't regrout those areas, you are wasting both time and money.

If the cracking grout is within the field of tile, then that means there is movement and nothing you do will stop that from cracking again.

Can you describe what's going on there?

ballengerb1 · Nov 10, 2009, 05:33 PM

I agree, wish you have given more detail in the original post. Are any of your crack right through a tile or just in the grout lines? Is the grout line crack staright or does it zig zag?

nosohandyman · Nov 11, 2009, 02:21 PM

Originally Posted by ballengerb1

I agree, wish you have given more detail in the original post. Are any of your crack right through a tile or just in the grout lines? Is the grout line crack staright or does it zig zag?

They are two short cracks close to the wall under the spout. I don' t see any other cracks anywhere. They are hair line cracks and rather straight. One crack is on the left of the grout line and the other on the right. The length is about the length of 1 1/2 tiles or less about 2 inches. There are plastic stuff inside the grout line. I think those are stuff that links the tiles together. I do see non crumbling cracked grout under the grout line. I guess the area is designed with a curve to draw water to the gutter.