When your bathroom is tiled for the first time, the grout will look perfect. Unfortunately, time will take effect and make it look old and discolored. If this happens, you’ll wonder if you have to redo the entire floor or simply paint it.
You can paint bathroom grout if it’s old and needs a makeover. The best way to achieve this is to use grout paint. Though the application process can be stressful, it makes your grout look brand new.
Painting your grout is more than just applying the paint onto the surface. This post gives a detailed explanation of grouts and how to make them look presentable.
What Is Tile Grout?
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Tile grout is a liquid used to fill in the joints between tiles after the tile has been set. Once it has dried, it will harden into concrete to keep your tiles in place.
Apart from completing a tile job, tile grout gives your tiles a unique appearance. These groups can make each tile stand out or create a clean transition between adjacent tiles.
What Is Grout Paint?
Grout paint is a mixture of fillers, latex, and pigments. These paints can be used to restore or change the color of the grout to make them look more appealing.
You apply this paint to grout lines with a simple brush. The paint seeps into the cement and colors it without discoloring or harming the surrounding tiles.
Grout paint is available in different colors, making it easy to match any design scheme or tile color. They also have different variations like the colorant-sealant, which colors the grout and protects it from fading.
How Do I Make My Grout Look New?
A fresh coat of grout paint is an excellent method to bring your grout to life. Remodeling your grout won’t only make it look new but will patch up cracks and other damages. In other words, it is a better alternative to replacing your grout completely.
Below are steps to take to make your grout visually appealing:
Clean Your Floor Thoroughly Beforehand
It’s critical to clean your floors before applying grout paint. If dirt and grime have gathered in your grout lines, it’ll be difficult for the new paint to stay. It could also lead to a dirty and unattractive job.
Patch up Your Grout Lines
After cleaning, it’s paramount to patch any cracks or chips you find in the grout lines. This is because the paint won’t conceal these cracks and damage your finishing.
The best way to patch up grout cracks and chips is to use a latex caulk. Latex caulk is a general-purpose material that fills cracks and makes your grout seamless.
Another thing to look out for in your grout lines is pinholes. Pinholes are usually a result of using a poor grout mixture when applying the grout for the first time.
Before remodeling, ensure you cover these holes by applying grout. This doesn’t mean that you’ll have to break your tiles and reinstall them.
You only need to mix little grout and apply it in the hole. However, you can only fix pinholes if they’re little. Larger holes will require the expertise of professionals.
Gather Your Supplies
After you’ve cleaned and patched your floor, you’ll need to gather the supplies for painting your grout. The first and most important material is grout paint.
You can choose a grout paint of any color, depending on the color of the tiles. If you want your tiles to pop out, use a contrasting color. For instance, if your tiles are dark, you can use white or sharper paint color.
On the other hand, if you prefer a subtle look, use grout paint that’s the same color as your tiles. However, a packaged grout paint color might be lighter or darker than you expect. Thus, it’s recommended you try out samples of your before purchasing.
The following essential item you should purchase is a brush. There are different types of brushes made explicitly for applying grout paint.
Notwithstanding, the regular toothbrush is the most effective of these brushes. Aside from being cheaper than other brushes, they apply paint effectively without wasting it.
Also, get a plate to pour out your paint to avoid dipping the entire brush head into the paint. Don’t forget to get hand gloves to protect your hands.
Paint the Grout
Put on chemical-resistant gloves before you begin painting. Gather the rest of your materials and set them in your bathroom, where you’d be carrying out your task.
Shake your paint to mix it thoroughly before pouring it into the plate. Start by sprinkling a small amount of paint into the middle of each grout line.
Use the brush to spread the paint on the line, moving it back and forth to spread the paint evenly. Ensure that the paint covers the line evenly before you move to another. If you want to make your lines thicker, apply the first spread of paint, let it dry, then apply again.
Clean up after Painting
Using a brush will create a mess as some paint will get out of the lines and onto the tiles. This shouldn’t concern you as grout paint is easy to get off the tiles. All you’ll have to do is scrub the tile surface with warm water and a clean towel.
It’s best to clean up after your paint is completely dry. This will prevent you from accidentally wiping the paint off the grout lines.
Leave your paint for at least 24 hours before getting water on the tiles. In other words, it’ll be best to avoid using the bathroom for a day.
How Long Does Grout Paint Last?
Grout paint, contrary to regular paint, can last a long time. If they’re well applied and allowed to dry, they can last as long as 15 years.
Maintain a regular cleaning schedule for your grout to prevent dirt from accumulating. This is one of the best ways to keep your grout in good condition until you repaint it.
Can You Paint Tiles?
Porous materials, such as wood and plaster, readily accept paint because of their absorbent quality. This aids them in absorbing paint; hence, paint easily sticks to them. On the other hand, Tiles are slippery, making it difficult for paint to stick to them.
Notwithstanding, it’s possible to paint tiles. However, the paint will look terrible on tiled floors and will never have the same look as concrete or wooden floors.
Can you Replace Grout?
Painting your grout is an effective way to repair minor damages and give your tiles a better outlook. Still, if the damage is far gone, replacing the grout is the most effective option.
Replacing grout can be a messy job. It’s possible to remove the grout without damaging the tiles though this is rarely feasible.
Before taking out your grout in the bathroom, it’s best to remove every property within the room. The process will be dusty and could mess up minor items like your toothbrush and bath sponge.
Remove the grout with a tile blade or manual grout saw. If the tiles are secured to the substrate, you don’t have to take out the tiles. On the other hand, if the tiles are hollow, you’ll have to replace the tiles.
