Do not use a router, that's nuts. Use a Fein tool (or Bosch or whatever brand) some

Not to be insulting, but you guys giving advice on an "easy" way or special tools for grout removal, have obviously never done this.

This is a HUGE job. It will be noisy, dusty, frustrating and expensive.

Using a Dremal or high speed tool takes about 5 minutes per lineal foot.
Multiply that times 900.

It's 75 hours plus. ( if you take no breaks and don't damage the tile )
Who wants to spend two weeks carefully removing grout?

There are only two correct answers to this question:

Restore the grout or replace the entire tile floor.


KT

You're the expert Trekkor. But what about an acid wash?

Yes, I suggested that in post #10.


KT

Well. in my opinion..... I would say, listen to Trekkor.;)

Listen to Mr. Wills. Grout is hard stuff. Sanded grout is hard stuff because it has sand (glass) in it. If modifers were used, it's even harder. Acid will clean and weaken the grout a little. That will make it ready for repairs and re-coloring.

The Mrs and I have considered doing hardwood where we now have carpet, 12" tile and laminate. $50K is starters. I think that the tile can stay. She didn't like the dirty looking grout. I shamed her into actually trying to clean it. Brush and Borax is what she came up with. OxyCLean is supposably good. We borrowed a steam generator cleaner from a neighbor which was good after an OxyClean presoak. But the grout was coming up in a few places from where a carpet cleaner did a tile cleaning - I figured he agitated and vacuumed it up.

3-1/2 in. Diamond Grit Half-Moon Multi-Tool Blade for Masonry

Oscillating Multifunction Power Tool w/ Variable Speed

While she was out of town I used the diamond grit half moon blade and oscillating saw from Harbor Freight and some sorta-matching grout and fixed up the voids and defects. She hasn't noticed.... but maybe that's good?

I likely did about 4 linear feet total, but 30 spots - took an hour. The saw and blade are the way to go. I wouldn't rip that up until I gave it a good cleaning or the grout restore. If you like the tile - fix or repair the grout. It is a perfect sweat equity savings plan.

Oh no, Personally I would never do this. HIre a grout cleaning company if the grout is sound but dirty. Forget cleaning or removal with all of the fancy tools and grout removal attachments that go on a Sawsall. Hey they ask thinking DIY. That is a lot of freaking grout line to remove. Chip it out and start fresh would be my choice.

Yes, those tools are great for repairs. I have them all.

Having the 900 square feet cleaned and sealed should only cost $1500 or so.
The colorant will add as much as $2000 in labor.

It's slow and tedious.

The grout in the open spaces can be cleaned with a bristle brush on a paint extension pole.
Use a commercial mop and wringer bucket to rinse the floor.

The grout can be sealed the next day when fully dry.


KT

Are any steps necessary to protect the tile from the acid? I have natural stone in my bath.

Tile and stone are completely different. For natural stone, you would need to paint the acid on with a small brush, let it do its work, dilute and vac up and then neutralize.

This.

Unless you really like the tile, I would seriously look at replacing it.

We had 1200 sqft of tile floor with the grout in bad shape, several tiles with chips and wife didn't really like the tile (the tiles were 8" so you can imagine how much grout there was). Rented a Bosch rotary hammer with a wide bit. I took two days (taking it slow and taking a lot of breaks) to take up all the tile. You will need a good pair of knee pads. Protect woodwork, walls, etc. from flying chips (some tiles pop right up, some come up in many pieces).

The biggest pain was getting rid of the tile.. 1200 sqft of busted up tile is heavy, many sharp edges, etc. and no, the garbage men will not take it.

Thanks all, the grout isn't that bad, so we are going to try recoloring

I was thinking that cleaning our total replacement were the only good options but figured I should check just in case there was something else

Unless is real bad, you might not need to use acid.

There are neutral cleaners that are especially developed for stone.
Acid tends to etch the surface polish and is not recommended at all.


KT