Sealed bathroom floors

[JW]

At some point in the future, I need to set about re-flooring and re-grouting the bathroom. I've a couple of questions...

Re-Flooring ===========

I like the way that some hotels/motels extend the floor covering up the wall by a few inches, foregoing the need for skirting board, and also sealing more of the floor area. How is this done? They always seem to have a perfect curve at the bottom? Is this filler, or is a thick floor lining doing this? Above all, is it a suitable concept for home implementation?

Re-grouting ===========

Is re-grouting literally just chipping out the existing grout, and re-applying it? If so, what is the easiest/most-effective way to do so? I want to avoid broken tiles wherever possible!

[Donwill]

We used to have radioactive laboratory floors done like that by specialist floor companies. as far as I remember it may have been a cement fillet they put in . The plastic floor was heated up with a hot air gun to follow the contours of the fillet and of course the joints were welded with the hot air gun using a similar colour filler rod.

Not sure about regrouting. Don

[Tabby]

Yup

A few options. A manual grout rake works, but can be very slow. If the grout is in less than tiptop condition, just using a bradawl is faster

- but everyone I've asked to do it has done it wrong until shown. Never try and pick grout out with it. I gather a multimaster can make short work of grout removal, I've not tried. A die grinder is quicker than hand work if the grout's very hard.

At the end of the day, either the grout's rock hard or its not. If it is, leave it there, if its not its not too bad to strip out. You shouldnt get any broken tiles.

NT

[JW]

OK - thanks - I guess I need to assess the existing grout then.

You say that a bradawl shouldn't be used to pick grout out. So what is the correct method of use?

[JW]

Thanks - looking like I would need a specialist to do this then. Back to lino and skirting boards I reckon! ;-)

[Tabby]

If the tiles are laid horizontal, hold the bradawl point down, run it back and forth very fast, several times a second, applying enough pressure for the grout under it to break up. It simply relies on it being a point, and thus transforming a comfortable force into destructive pressure. /Don't/ pick with it. But as I said, I always say this and they always start doing it wrong.

NT

[RayL12]

Hi JW, Flooring. You may want to watch this as a start to further research..

> Re-grouting

De grouting tool...

[Donwill]

done. I suppose it can be done as a DIY project but I wouldn't tackle it, apart from my back it takes a lot of learned skill to end up with a floor that looks good and is also sealed at the end. Don

[JW]

Thanks for those links. Re: the flooring - yep - definitely a job for a pro methinks! :)

[brass monkey]

I do so hope he's a clueless yank, t'would be bloody embarrassing otherwise. He's barely good enough for demon.local

[LMFAO]

I'd have to disagree with that. Besides causing great hilarity, sonny Jim is only playing at destroying newsgroups. Click on a thread (no need to read any posts) and see how often he's forced to reply due to no takers, the kid is a lamer. He has more chance of flying to the moon than of provoking arguments. Bloody funny to watch though, 10 outta 10 for amusement value :D I sincerely hope he's one of yours.

[Onetap]

He's English. He gave himself away by using a slang term that isn't much used in the US. He has no previous military experience and only knowledge of 'Nam' from Rambo movies. Colon Burke's posts start around UK end-of-school time, replies from Pounder, Peeler, etc., shortly after when no-one answers. Ignore it, he'll eventually get bored and go back to pulling the legs off spiders.

[LMFAO]

He's English.

Pity

He gave himself away by using a slang term that isn't much used in the US. He has no previous military experience and only knowledge of 'Nam' from Rambo movies. Colon Burke's posts start around UK end-of-school time, replies from Pounder, Peeler, etc., shortly after when no-one answers.

Ignore it, he'll eventually get bored and go back to pulling the legs off spiders.

That'd be a shame, I'm enjoying watching the lamers efforts :D

[Skipweasel]

And I'll bet he thinks we're all being provoked by him, sitting feeling smug about having got us all riled - but I'd bet most of us just view him as a sad little prat - Billy No-mates.