need home improvement website equivalent to pelican

[bob tilton]

need a link(s) to a great website for the DIYer around the house. in particular, i need to know how to remove some nasty counter top grout but retain the tiles. TIA.

[turbo6bar]

I don't know of any DIY home improvement sites, but what are you trying to achieve? Is the grout just dirty, or is it an unattractive color?

There are special tools for removing grout, and there are fabulous cleaners on the market for cleaning dirty grout.

Jürgen

[bob tilton]

the grout is just plain nasty dirty (not my house) to the point of really disgusting. i am fine with the color but it seems like more than grime is embedded in the grout. i recently tiled/grout our kitchen countertops but i have never had to undo tile/grout. whatever cleaner is out there would have to be industrial strength to tackle this job but seems like the first choice before creating any additional work.

can you recommend a STRONG grout cleaner that would remove years of neglect, grime, crayons, etc.

thanks for your reply.

[turbo6bar]

Bob, find a warehouse/vendor/retailer that sells chemicals used by carpet cleaners. I use a chemical with hydrogen peroxide. It's pretty strong stuff. You mix it with water and apply to the surface. Agitate with a stiff brush and then remove (I use a carpet extractor to apply hot water and immediately suck back up). I've renovated pretty nasty floors with this chemical.

If this works, then I strongly recommend following up with a quality grout sealer. I use "Sealer's Choice" grout sealer. It is great stuff, and a lot of pros recommend it.

Let me know if you need any more info.

Jürgen

[wckrause]

You can use an acid solution and a wire brush to clean tile grout. Most tile shops should have everything you need. Then you'll need to re-seal it or else it will get dirty again quickly.

If you really need to remove the grout, you might be able to use a dremel tool for a small area, but I think ripping out the tile might be easier.

[bob tilton]

thanks guys. need to tackle this one soon. i can't believe some people live like this.

Bob,
Try every cleaning agent possible, but if it is years of soaked in crud, then you are probably stuck with R&R the grout. I've used are a dremel with the little guide that keeps it perpendicular to the surface. It is pretty effective, but creates a lot of dust and is easy to get into the tile. Also, there is a tile grout saw that is a hand held scraper/scratcher. It works on some grouts(non-sanded) better than others. Either way it's a pia. One other option is to try to dye the existing grout a dark color. I've used a black grout mixed to a watery consistency to wash over the old stuff. Depends on if the color works with the tile.
Good luck,
Mark

[turbo6bar]

Originally posted by bob tilton
thanks guys. need to tackle this one soon. i can't believe some people live like this.

Let me take a wild guess: rental property? I bought one property earlier this year, and according to neighbors, the previous resident had 8 cats, 3 dogs, and 7 birds. The cats and birds were inside pets. I wore nitrile/latex gloves to protect myself from the filth. It was so bad, I had to wash my gloves with soap and water every five minutes. I just couldn't accept the fact the only thing between my hands and utter filth was a thin layer of rubber.

I agree with wckrause. If the cleaners do not work, then I'd rip out the tile, especially if you can unscrew the top from the cabinet.

good luck,
Jürgen

[bob tilton]

yeah...it was a ten year rental. however it has all new carpets and paint throughout. makes me wonder what it looked like before.

i appreciate all the feedback. really crossing my fingers in hopes that this will not be a labor/time intensive project.

[ronin]

don't pull the tiles if they are in good condition. regrouting can be done without too much trouble and it's a lot cheaper than retiling. the tile scraper that Mark Wilson mentioned works rather well actually. you'll only need a float, a sponge and a few minor other things for the new grout. nice thing about it is that you can then choose a different grout color if you want. too bad you don't live close-by or I'd do it for you

if you decide to regrout, ask me and I'll give you all the details

[Moneyguy1]

I agree. Regrouting is quite simple as ronin says. However, my wife, cleaner of all things (we have all tiled countertops) says that Clorox and a brass "toothbrush" just might do the trick. But be sure to seal the grout when you are done, whether it is the current grout or a regrout. And remember to reseal at least once a year. Sealing is easy; just a rag soaked with the stuff wiped into the grout lines. Go gover it twice, at least a day apart.

[JavaBrewer]

Sites I've used are:

DIY forum
Ok advice, but a lot of amatuers. Generally a pretty rapid response time. Still worth searching from.

Tile advice
Tile forum
These links are to a great weath of tile related information. A must read for anyone interested in doing tile.

Good luck.

[RickM]

Some grouts can be very difficult to remove with a hand scraper. Also, using an acidic solution can etch the tile forever.

Dremel makes an attachment specifically designed to remove grout......

http://www.popularmechanics.com/home_improvement/home_improvement/2000/12/Grout_Removal_Accessory/print.phtml




ooops, I see that Mark may have mentioned this very tool.....

[RickM]

Another product I've heard as being an effective cleaner is this... ZEP grout cleaner/whitener. Perhaps others can chime in on this product.
http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/household/brands?tbl=brands&id=5005025&query=Grout&searchas=type

[turbo6bar]

Arggg, do not post links to tile bulletin boards. I spent the last half hour reading threads, and I want to upgrade to a new Felker tile saw...

bob, if this is your investment property, do not screw around. Time is money. Find your local pros and pick their brain.

The ZEP is similiar to the stuff I use. It not only does a good job on grout, but removes years of build-up on the tile/stone surface.


Jürgen

[bob tilton]

thanks for the continued info guys. it seems i found my "home improvement" website right here. no need to call in professionals when i can get solid advice from the experts here. i'll keep you guys posted. again - thanks everyone!

[RickM]

I wonder if the Dremel tool could be used to remove a minimal amout of grout, leaving enough room for a skim coat.

[JavaBrewer]

Man I had a tough time with the dremel tool. I got the kit and tried using it to take out some floor tile grout. Followed the instructions and burned up two bits in 30 minutes. Total grout removed was 4'. Perhaps my grout was harder than most? I elected to scrub and stain the grout.

FYI - resist the temptation of using a bargan priced sealer. HD sells some for like $9.00/qt. The stuff is crap. Get the good stuff or you will be sorry. Expect to pay $75-$100/gallon.

[BGCarrera32]

http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/

[ronin]

bob, prior offer still goes