Cost to Regrout Bathroom Tiles

How Much to Regrout a Bathroom?

There are a number of reasons why people decide to clean, remove and replace grouting in the bathroom. Probably the most common reason is simply that's the grout colour has faded and looks dirty so needs changing.

The next most common reason is that the grout is cracked, crumbling or missing out of the joints, this can happen if the grouting was not done properly in the first place or it could simply be due to the age of the grout.

If the grout is simply stained or black and mouldy, then usually it can simply be cleaned using some sort of bleach preparation to remove the mould.

Removing and replacing the grout can transform your bathroom tiling and make it look brand new again, but this won't last if you have a mould problem and you do not address the root cause. If the mould is brown in colour this can often mean water is getting behind the wall tiles and soaking through the joints. In this case there is no point re-grouting until you have found and fixed the leak.

To remove the old grout a drill is perhaps the ideal tool as you can go over the surface of the grout removing as much as possible without damaging the actual tiles. When using power tools to remove grout, always wear safety goggles as flying debris could possibly injure your eyes.

Once you have removed as much grout as possible with power tools you can finish the job with a screwdriver or a Stanley knife blade then going over the surface with a vacuum cleaner to remove any last traces.

So, which type of grout do I need?

There are many different types of grout for tiles, some of which are designed for floor tiles and some for walls. There are ready-mixed grout products and others you have to mix yourself, but if you are replacing your grout due to mould problems then some grout products have built-in bacterial and antifungal protection which may be useful. The ready-mix grouts on sale are far easier to use and are highly recommended.

Regrouting Prices

To provide accurate pricing information we have contacted local and national companies, plus have used various online quotation tools. The figures provided should give a good rough idea of the costs involved if you are looking to regrout your bathroom tiles. You should of course gather relevant quotes from local bathroom specialists and handymen so as to get the best price for your requirements. You can get up to 3 free quotes from local tradespeople by clicking the "Get a Quote" button.

The average material cost to regrout your bathroom will depend on the price and quality of the grout, as well as the size of your bathroom (how many tiles need regrouting). Typically you can pick up a 12.5kg bag for £15 to £20.

The average bathroom specialist will usually charge around £150 per day. The total cost of regrouting a bathroom will mainly be from the labour with very little material costs. Depending on the size of the area to be regrouted, you can expect it to take anywhere from 1-2 days to fully regrout your bathroom.

Below are some estimated costs to clean and replace the grouting of your bathroom tiles:

DIY Regrouting

To grout your tiles you need a special tool called a grout float, a tool to mix the grout if you do not buy the ready-mixed variety plus a scraper to get rid of any excess grout as you work.

You should always clean off any excess grout as you go along as this is easier than cleaning the tiles later when the grout is dry. Once you have grouted all of the titles you can then use a damp sponge to remove any excess grout then leave the grout to dry according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

Before you start removing the grout it is always worth seeing if it is possible to perhaps salvage some of the grout by cleaning it and perhaps using a mould treatment. There are also some great tile revival systems on sale which can clean and colour your tiles, in many cases avoiding the labour intensive job of completely re-grouting the tiles.

Sometimes you can simply make your own cleaning solution using bleach and baking soda to make a paste which can be applied to the old grout using a toothbrush. But please remember if you're using bleach always wear goggles and gloves with old clothes.

Home-made grout cleaners will work but not in all cases, however, they are so cheap to use it is always worth giving them a try. But the fact that you're reading this article probably means you have already tried cleaning the grout and have found that replacing the grout is now your only real option.

Be careful when removing grout as it is possible you could chip or crack the bathroom tiles which will mean increased time and costs replacing broken and cracked tiles ( Assuming, of course, you can even find tiles to match!).

If you do damage the tiles you need to remove the grout from around the damaged tile then use a chisel to remove the tile itself full stop then apply adhesive to the back of the new tile and position the tile using spacers to maintain proper grout gaps. When the grout is dry simply remove the spacers and grout the joints.

10%

Materials
£25

90%

Tradesmen
£225

0%

Waste Removal
£0

Cost Affecting Factors of Regrouting Bathroom Tiles

It's always good to understand the variables that might increase or decrease the price of a job. Here are the things to consider when regrouting a bathroom:

Area to be Regrouted

A larger area means more grouting and more time taken, which will increase costs.

Condition of Existing Grouting

Severely damaged grouting and tiles might be an indication of moisture having collected under the tiles. This means more damage to fix before regrouting, which is likely to increase costs.

Type of Grout

Different types of grout sell at different price points. If you opt for anti-bacterial and anti-fungal mixtures, you'll have to pay more, but it might well be worth it!

Ease of Access

If the entire area to be regrouted is easily accessible, the job will be much swifter and will save some money on labour fees. On the flipside, awkward or hard-to-reach areas will take longer and cost more in labour fees.

Geographical Location

Unfortunately we're all at the mercy of our local pricing trends, so contractors in some areas will be more expensive than others.

FAQs

Can I just tile over existing wall tiles?

Yes, you can, but first, you have to check that the old tiles are still firmly bonded to the surface and then you need to clean and degrease the tiles making sure that the new adhesive will work. If any existing tiles are loose they will, of course, need removing and replacing. However, you need to consider the total weight of new plus old tiles.

Can I tile newly plastered walls?

No, you will need to allow the new plaster to completely dry which could take up to 3 weeks before fixing tiles.

What is an expansion joint and do I need to use one?

An expansion or movement joint is a trim which is normally used in floor tiling to absorb expansion and movements - they are not normally required with wall tiles.

Can I do bathroom tiles as a DIY Project?

Good tiling with a professional finish needs years of experience, patience and attention to detail. If it was really easy then we'd all be professional tilers! However, you can tackle this project if you take your time and are very patient.

Do I need to use grout joints?

Yes, you always need a gap between tiles to allow for expansion due to changes in temperature. In addition, they are also required to stop moisture reaching the substrate and causing damp problems behind the tiles. The rule of thumb recommendation is to use 2 mm joints when tiling a wall, unless using natural stone or similar tiles in which case a 5mm gap is recommended.

What does the CE mark on tiles mean?

The CE Mark confirms that these products meet required EU performance, safety, health or environmental requirements. This marking enables the free movement of products within the European market but does not indicate that a product was made in the EU.

Sources

https://www.tileshop.com/resources/how-to/how-to-regrout-bathroom-tile
https://www.qualitytilecare.co.uk/shower-tiles-and-grout-cleaning-and-sealing
https://www.mirashowers.co.uk/blog/how-to/how-to-regrout-bathroom-tiles