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How to Regrout Tile (and When Not To)
Get the old grout out
Fresh grout won’t bond over crumbling old grout. Rake the joints with a grout saw or an oscillating tool, at least halfway down, then vacuum the dust out. Protect the tile edges as you go. This is the slow part — and the part that makes the new grout last.
Sanded vs unsanded — pick right
Use sanded grout for joints wider than 1/8″; it resists shrinking and cracking. Use unsanded for thin lines and polished tile that scratches easily. Mix to a peanut-butter consistency and only as much as you can use before it sets.
Float, wipe, cure, seal
Press grout into the joints with a rubber float held at an angle, then wipe the haze with a damp (not wet) sponge, rinsing often. Let it cure per the bag, buff the haze, and seal it — sealing is what keeps Broward moisture and mildew out of the joints.
When regrouting won’t fix it
If tiles are loose, hollow-sounding, or the floor flexes, the problem is underneath — new grout will just crack again. Same with a shower that leaks: the waterproofing failed, not the grout. We repair grout and tile and tell you straight when it’s a deeper fix.
Frequently asked
Can I regrout over old grout?
No — you need to rake the old grout out at least halfway so the new grout can bond. Grouting over crumbling grout just fails again.
Should I use sanded or unsanded grout?
Sanded for joints wider than 1/8 inch; unsanded for thin lines and scratch-prone polished tile.
Do I need to seal grout?
Yes — sealing keeps moisture and mildew out, which matters a lot in Broward’s humidity. Reseal periodically.
Why does my grout keep cracking?
Usually movement underneath — loose tile or a flexing floor — not the grout itself. That needs to be fixed before regrouting will hold.