Grout joint renovation in Riga

When new grout is enough and when it is not

Joints are renovated when they have darkened, are crumbling or have fallen out, but the tiles themselves are intact and firmly fixed. If a tile sounds hollow, moves or is cracked, new joints do not solve the problem. Then individual tiles or the whole finish need replacing, and that is already tiling work.

If damp appears under the tiles or on the neighbours' ceiling below, the cause may be in the waterproofing or the pipes rather than the joints. In that case write in the request where the damp is, because then waterproofing in the bathroom has to be looked at. For black spots in the joints see mould in the bathroom.

Grout and silicone: which goes where

The manufacturer of Ceresit CM 17 tile adhesive states that joints in corners, at the floor and by the plumbing are filled with silicone, not grout. So joint renovation usually involves two jobs: grout on the flat surface and silicone in all the connections, for example between the bath and the wall.

New grout needs time. The manufacturer of Ceresit CE 40 states that a grouted floor can be walked on after 6 hours, water load is permitted after 24 hours, the grout reaches full strength after 5 days, and for the first 5 days it is cleaned with clean water only. Another product may have different times.

The work in its usual order

1. Removing the old grout The old grout is removed from the joints without damaging the tile edges.
2. Removing the old silicone The silicone is cut off and cleaned from the bath, the shower and the corners.
3. Cleaning The joints are cleaned of dust and dirt so that the new grout holds.
4. New grout The joints are filled and the tile surface is cleaned of excess grout.
5. New silicone Once the grout has hardened, silicone is applied in the corners and by the plumbing.

What to decide and write in the request

• Which surfaces: bathroom walls, floor, shower area or kitchen splashback.
• The approximate area in m² or the room dimensions.
• The colour of the new grout: the same or a different one.
• Whether to replace the silicone by the bath, the sink and in the corners as well.
• Whether any tile moves or is cracked.

How much grout joint renovation costs

For grout joint renovation the price is calculated in the estimate. It depends on the area of tiled surface in m², the tile size (the smaller the tiles, the more joints per square metre), the condition of the joints and whether the silicone is replaced as well. Prices are for labour. Materials are calculated separately in the estimate.

If the tiles do have to be replaced, for comparison: tiling costs from €24/m², and demolition of old tiles from €9/m². All prices are on the renovation prices page.

What is included and what is not

We agree the price and the list of work before the job starts.