How to Regrout a Shower Like a Pro Is your shower looking worn, stained, or, worse, water-damaged? Don’t get into a costly remodel just yet. Often, the culprit is simply old, worn-out grout. We at EZ Shower Repair and Tiling Australia know the significance of a tidy shower. It not only adds to the aesthetics of your bathroom but also guards against water damage, which can lead to expensive replacements. As you read on, we will lead you through each step of how to regrout a shower like a professional. What Factors Make Tile Regrouting Necessary? It makes your tiles last longer. Regrouting improves the appearance of your bathroom. It prevents water-related damage and the growth of mould. The level of cleanliness and hygiene can be improved by regrouting. Saves money on costly tile replacements Understanding When Your Shower Requires Regrouting Grout creates a water-resistant seal that prevents moisture from leaking behind tiles and damaging the structural framework. This seal will eventually wear away, especially in Australian weather. The following are clear signals that your shower requires regrouting: Crumbling or broken grout between tiles Discoloration that persists Visible moulds or mildews Water leaks behind tiles or adjacent walls Loose tiles that slide when pushed Flaking or powdery grout surface Tools and Materials for Shower Regrouting If you want to proceed with “how to regrout shower tiles,” you will need the right tools and materials. Tools Grout removal tool (utility knife, electric grout removal tool, or hand grout saw) Rubber grout float Grout sponge and microfiber cloths Mixing bucket (for powdered grout) and stirring tool Measuring cup Safety gear (rubber gloves, glasses, and dust mask) Materials New grout (sanded cementitious grout for larger joints, typically 3 mm or more; unsanded cementitious grout for narrow grout lines, less than 3 mm; and epoxy grout for showers, resistant to mould, mildew, and stains) Grout sealer Painter’s tape A plastic sheet or drop cloths Clean water How Do You Regrout a Shower in 7 Steps? In this section, you will be guided step-by-step on how to regrout a shower to get professional results. 1: Preparation Take away all shower accessories, bottles, and curtains/doors if possible Cover showerheads, taps, and drains with tape or plastic to avoid damage Protect the shower floor using drop cloths, particularly if it is porcelain or some other material that might scratch easily Open windows or use fans to provide sufficient airflow during the process In Australia’s climate, moderate humidity should be 40-60% for best grout curing 2: Remove the Old Grout Position your grout remover at a 45-degree angle to the grout line Proceed systematically along each line, with consistent pressure Strip at least 2-3mm thickness of aged grout to offer adequate adhesion for the new application Give special attention to areas with noticeable damage or mould growth Vacuum clutter frequently to keep your work area visible 3: Clean the Grout Lines Vacuum out all remaining debris from the grout lines Wipe down the area with a moist sponge to remove dust If mould is present, apply an appropriate mould killer Clean tiny spaces with a little brush Clean the tiles with warm water and mild detergent before you re grout shower tiles Scrape the grout lines with an old toothbrush or a stiff brush Use clean water to rinse the tiles and remove any soap residue Leave the area to completely dry (24 hours is recommended) before adding new grout 4: Mix and Apply New Grout Always mix grout strictly according to the directions provided by the manufacturer Mix in small batches to prevent premature hardening Reach a peanut butter consistency—not too wet, not too hard Let the combined grout stand for 5-10 minutes (slaking) before the final stir Spread grout to a section that you can control (around 1 square metre) Place your rubber float at a 45-degree angle and use it to force grout firmly into joints Move diagonally across the tile joints to get complete filling Remove any excess grout from the tile surfaces as you work 5: Clean Excess Grout and Allow it to Dry Use a moist sponge in gentle circular motions to remove excess grout within 15-30 minutes (when it begins to set but does not harden) Wring and rinse your sponge regularly to prevent grout residue from spreading Be careful not to remove grout from between the joints After the first clean, use a microfiber to remove any remaining dust Allow the fresh grout to dry as directed on the container (usually 24-72 hours) 6: Seal the Grout Make sure grout is fully dry and cured Use a tiny brush, applicator, or spray to apply grout sealer Work carefully to cover all grout lines evenly Remove any extra sealer from tiles after 5-10 minutes Use a second coat if advised by the product instructions Wait for the sealer to completely dry (typically 24 to 48 hours) before taking a shower 7: Apply Silicone Caulk to Corners and Edges Apply painter’s tape to corners and edges on both sides Fill a caulking gun with the appropriate silicone caulk (a mould-resistant kind is recommended) Apply in a continuous, smooth bead Use a caulking tool or damp finger to smooth the bead right away Remove painter’s tape while the caulk is still wet Let the caulk completely cure before using it in the shower Common Regrouting Mistakes Use these recommendations to achieve professional shower regrouting results: Mistake Why It is a Problem How to Avoid it Not removing the old grout New grout won’t bond properly Remove at least 3–5mm of the old grout Using the wrong grout type for the tiles May lead to cracks and leaks Use waterproof, mould-resistant grout Skipping the application of grout sealer Grout absorbs moisture and stains Always seal after curing Completing the procedure in a hurry Poor finish and weak joints Allow sufficient drying and curing time Not fixing the damaged tiles Water can penetrate through tiles Repair or replace before regrouting The Benefits of Using

5 Ways to Stop Your Shower Leaking Do you agree that there is nothing worse than discovering a puddle on the floor after taking a relaxing shower? A leaking shower is more than just an inconvenience; it can cause water damage, mould growth, health risks, and higher utility bills. These challenges must be addressed on a proactive basis. In this blog, we will discuss 5 ways to stop your shower leaking while keeping your bathroom functional and damage-free. Signs You Have a Leaking Shower You need to look out for these signs of a leaking shower to avoid water damage: A foul smell in your bathroom may be a case of blocked drains or extreme mould. Movement of tiles inside the shower is a sign of there being trapped water under it. Cracked or broken ones let in more water. Peeling paint from poor ventilation or water damage around the shower area. Do not repair this by painting over it; instead, find the source of the problem. If there is grout missing/loose in the shower area, seal this off as soon as possible before the water works its way underneath the tiles. Discoloration of the grout is an absolute sign of leakage. Jamming of the door of a shower signifies that behind a wall, because of a leak in a shower, there is considerable moisture within a wall. The deformation of a wall and its stains indicate there is water damage behind. Can You Repair a Leaking Shower Yourself? Even when used appropriately, most retail goods only offer temporary relief. Typically, only visible gaps in grout or between tiles are sealed, and other leaks can go overlooked. Furthermore, after all of your hard work, silicone-based materials tend to grow mould quickly and may not withstand building movement. Ez Shower Repair and Tiling is the industry leader, with the most experienced specialists managing a number of projects nationwide while maintaining the highest quality. Effective Methods to Repair a Leaking Shower We have listed below some of the methods that you can use to repair your shower leak: Fix the Showerhead A malfunctioning showerhead is one of the main reasons for leaks due to the worn-out washer or a loose connection. Common Signs Water dripping from the shower head even if the valve is off. There is a loose connection between the shower head and hose. Solution It may just require tightening. An adjustable wrench, a bit tightened but with care for it will damage, can solve this issue. You can replace the washers, as it is just another source of leak when worn washers exist. These are easily available and cheap. Materials/Tools Replacement washers. Get the ones compatible with your showerhead. Adjustable wrench and pliers Procedure Turn off the water supply for the shower. Unscrew the showerhead with the wrench; pliers may be needed to hold the arm steady. Remove the old washers and replace with new ones. Reassemble the showerhead and hand-tighten the connection. Fix the Faucet When internal components, such as the valve seats or cartridge, wear down and let water come out of it, you will get a leaky faucet. Common Signs Water continues to drip from the handle in a full-closed position. Solution Change the faucet cartridge. The job is complex but doable. Materials/Tools Replacement faucet cartridge—Specific to your faucet type Adjustable wrench and Allen wrench Screwdriver—flathead or Phillips Procedure Turn off the water supply for the shower. Remove the handle. The cartridge is exposed when a concealed screw or decorative cap is removed from the majority of handles. Use the wrench to replace the old cartridge with a new one, ensuring that it is correctly placed and tightened according to the instructions. Reattach the faucet handle and switch on the water supply to check for leaks. Replace Broken Tiles If you have cracked tiles in your shower area, they can often allow water to seep through, causing leaks behind the wall. Common Signs There are some prominent cracks or chips in the tiles. You can see discoloration or mould around the grout lines. Solution You can replace broken tile to fix this problem. Materials/Tools Safety glasses Hammer and chisel, or grout removal tool Putty knife Tile adhesive for wet areas Replacement tile, matching the existing one Grout, matching the existing Grout float and sponge Procedure Put on protective gear. Use a hammer and chisel or grout removal tool to carefully remove the damaged tile without damaging the surrounding tiles. Clean off debris from the area. Apply tile adhesive to the back of the replacement tile and press into place, making sure spacers are in place for even spacing. Let the adhesive cure with directions given by the manufacturer. Re-Grout the Tiles You can see that grout seals up the water passage between the tiles against infiltration. Over the passage of time, it can start showing crack, crumbles, and spots Common Signs The grout is cracked, crumbling, or missing. It has become dirty or discoloured. Solution Your shower area needs re-grouting of tiles to renew the way they look and prevent water damage. Materials/Tools Safety glasses and rubber gloves Grout removal tool and grout float Wet sponge Grout cleaner and grout sealer Procedure Turn off the water supply to the shower. Use a grout removal tool to carefully scrape away the old grout without damaging the tiles. Clean the area between the tiles to remove dust and debris from it. Press the grout into the grout lines with a grout float, working in small sections at a time. Hold the float at a 45-degree angle and press the grout into the joints. Wipe off excess grout from the surfaces of the tiles with a damp sponge before it dries. When fully dried, apply a grout sealer to protect the area against water damage and stains. Hire Shower Sealed to Fix Your Leaking Shower Temporary solutions can work for common shower leaks; some repairs do require professional help. The signs that you need to contact a professional