I need to remove a lot of grout between tiles and regrout with waterproof grout. Does anyone know of a cheap rotary tool that can do this. Those Fien Multimaster tools look like they can do the job with a frighteningly high price. There must be a chep DIY effort around that can do a similar job. Those rotozip type of tools look like they could wander and cut into the tile, so I am ruling those out.
TIA.
I doubt anything would do it. A bradawl will break and clear out grout out in under 10 seconds per side of tile. Just run it back and forth acrosst he grout, pressing down enough to break the surface up as it goes. Very fast. Just dont make the common mistake of using it like a toothpick, thats silly slow.
NT
I have one of these (the manufacturer is Fein, BTW) and the price isn't frighteningly high at all. It's probably my most used power tool because of its versatility and worth every penny. They now have a starter version, without many accessories for just over £80.
I've used it for grout removal with the segment saw blade
In comparison with making a bollocks of the job with some cheap and unsuitable tool and having to replace the tiles, it is very inexpensive and frankly would pay for itself on one job. Then you would have a tool that would get a lot of use.
I don't think so, and I've looked. Fein hold a set of patents on several aspects of the Multimaster.
That's exactly the issue. Dremel do a grout removing kit for their little tools. I've used one and it is both slow and does not do as neat a job as the Multimaster.
Why? All grout is relatively waterproof, especially on vertical surfaces. What are the symptoms? A bitch of a job, even with a grout rake.
Does anyone know of a cheap rotary tool that can do
Brick acid and a scrubbing brush. Use rubber gloves.
If you're talking about wall tiles with 2mm or so spacing, I agree - an awl or a bradawl will both do the job quite effectively. One proviso - some combinations of steel and glaze will allow the tool to leave pencil-like lines on the glaze, which are IME almost impossible to remove. Depending on the profile of the tool and the tile edge profile, these marks may be visible after re-grouting. It hardly needs saying that it's a good idea to test in the least conspicuous area first.
However, since you're considering using a power tool, I guess you're talking about floor tiles with a somewhat larger spacing...
Alternatively, use thinners and a roughish cloth (preferably white) - I use workshop towels. I have found this works well. Ensure good ventilation of course.
CRB
These things are incredibly effective & very cheap
Tried Bar Keepers Friend? Removes the "pencil" marks left by stainless steel cooking tools on white glazed cookware.
Dave,
I have never heard of it. Where do you get it?
Dave,
Thanks, would the likes of B&Q sell this?
Water is leaking through the tiles, the grout, to the ceiling below. The tiles are top quality and look well and it is a shame to get rid of. The only other quick option is to tile over the tiles, which is an expensive thing to do.
Hi,
IME a wallpaper steamer with nozzle will soften grout, also might be worth grinding down a cheap screwdriver for scraping the grout out.
AIUI the tile cement should form a waterproof barrier, if this is a tiled floor then renewing the grout may not be enough.
cheers, Pete.
So this is a bath/shower? Tiling usually only lets water at the bottom of a run where the tiles meet the bath edge or shower tray i.e. where the water hits its first horizontal obstruction and has time to sit and soak. Don't rush into anything.
Asda stock it or at least thats where I bought the last lot, Tesco don't. Truncated plastic conical packaging
A shower. There is definately a crack around a few tiles that water is getting through. I know that hairline cracks can let water through. The tray to tile join has a silicon seal and that looks in good condition and not allowing water through. I want to do "all" of the tiles and remove and reseal the silicon to be sure.
Thanks for that. I never thought of a steamer. How long does it take to get soft?
Not that long, I've steam cleaned grout and it came off onto the scourer rather easily.
While the grout is out you could try getting some exterior PVA in between the tiles to help seal any cracks in the tile cement.
cheers, Pete.
Thanks. How long does the PVA need to dry? Goes the grout stick to the PVA well? Do Wickes, etc, sell exterior grade PVA.
Exterior PVA (EVA) is only waterproof when mixed in cement/mortar. I don't think it will do much good painted on like that.
Use a waterproofing additive in the grout, such as BAL Admix GT1 (which probably contains EVA and plasticiser).
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