• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About
  • Projects
  • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Snapchat
    • Twitter
Noting Grace
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • About
  • Projects
  • Shop
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • About
    • Projects
    • Shop
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Blog

    How to Easily Regrout Your Bathtub Walls Without Removing Old Grout

    by Jennifer Fancher 8 Comments Published: 4/18/22 Updated: 7/11/22 This post may contain affiliate links.

    1310 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet

    One way we are saving money on this bathroom remodel is to use what we have in place and give it a budget friendly update.  Here’s how to easily regrout your bathtub walls without removing the old grout.

    A huge thank you to Dremel for sending us the tools to try!

    dated bathroom with bad grout lines in the tile

    This bathroom was such an eyesore. And it was the one that greeted you if you were a guest in my home.

    Dated, ugly ceramic tile with so many mildew issues in the grout lines.

    For the past 5 weeks, we've been renovating this bathroom and it is slowly becoming a showpiece.

    We knew we needed to address the issues in our shower. The tile was in good condition, except for the missing and loose grout.

    I found a secret weapon.

    And today I’m sharing this good news with you!

    When we researched ways to save money on this bathroom remodel, our grout issues concerned us.

    It had the typical issues of mildew, which I knew I could fix, but I also noticed that some of the tile grout had worn away.

    dated bathroom with bad grout lines

    The dangers of water seeping into those pin holes and cracks and allowing mold growth were serious, so we had to make this repair a priority.

    So I went on a search on how to easily regrout tile without removing old grout.

    I have to admit I got a bit discouraged when I read the methods out there to remove existing grout.

    This grout removal blade, or grout rake, works, but with the amount of work we had ahead of us with this bathroom, a manual grout removal tool would be a slow process.

    I needed a grout repair option that wouldn't require us having to remove all the old grout but was also a quick and easy process.

    Then I found Dremel.

    Since I have been a Dremel fan for years, I called to see if they could recommend a tool that would work for this.

    They agreed to send me their Multi-max tool and carbide bit attachment to give it a try and I was wowed!!

    Here is a great way to approach your regrouting process without the need for any special skills.

    Table of Contents

    • Can you put new grout over top of old grout?
    • How to Easily Regrout Your Bathtub Walls Without Removing the Old Grout
    • STEP ONE: Prep Your Area
    • STEP TWO: Removing the Damaged Grout
    • STEP THREE: Start the regrouting process
      • See the Final Reveal of the Painted Tile Here!
    • Click Here To See How the Bathroom Looks Now!
      • Pin this for later
    • Don't miss the other posts in this Bathroom Makeover!

    Can you put new grout over top of old grout?

    The short answer is not really which could be bad news if you were wanting a quick fix.

    Grout is formulated to bond between the tile joints. If you add it to the top of the old grout, it won't adhere properly to the existing grout or tile edges. That means you're quick fix wouldn't last long and you'll have to redo your work properly.

    BUT - you can regrout small areas, like our bathtub walls, without having to removing all the grout! Here's how we did it.

    How to Easily Regrout Your Bathtub
    Walls Without Removing the Old Grout

    (Some affiliate links are provided below. Full disclosure here.)

    Here are the supplies you'll need for this job:

    • An oscillating tool - like the Dremel Multi-Max
    • Carbide Blade attachment
    • Fresh Grout
    • Rubber Grout Float
    • Painters Tape if you are only working on a small section like ours
    • Drop cloth or old towel
    • Utility Knife
    • Sponge
    • Small Bucket
    • Goggles
    • Face Mask
    • Shop Vacuum

    STEP ONE: Prep Your Area

    The first step is to prepare your area.

    Before we began, we taped off a line for our work area. The top of the existing grout for the shower was in great shape, so there was no need to try to repair that area.

    So that little tape line helped remind us where to stop.

    No need to create extra work, right?

    It's also a good idea to protect any areas that you don't want to get dirty. We had a few drop cloths on hand.

    Next grab some eye protection and a dust mask and you're ready to go!

    STEP TWO: Removing the Damaged Grout

    As I mentioned, removing some of the old grout is key if you want to have your new grout adhere to your bathroom walls properly.

    We started right away by attaching the Carbide Grout Blade to our Dremel Multi-Max. The blade has sharp carbide grit on the edge that turns the damaged dirty grout into dust!

    We thought the 1/16th inch thick blade was a good choice since we have narrower grout joints.

    Woman wearing mask and goggles grinding away old grout with a dremel multi max tool

    If you are hesitant to use a power tool, this is a great one to start with!

    Gently run the Dremel along the edges of the tile where you see the grout missing or pulling away.

    It was like butter! It's like a small electric grinder and I loved the variable speed options.

    We set the speed to about 6. The lower speed didn't seem to work without more pressure, and the the highest setting was a bit difficult to control. I was afraid I would knick the edge of the tile.

    Finding that sweet spot was key. If you are tackling this DIY, find a speed that works for you and your tub surround.

    Just be patient and take your time. Allow the tool to do the work for you.

    Here's what it looked like immediately after.

    close up of tile with grout removed

    We found that as we removed grout, small chunks remained in the cracks.

    One tool that helped clean that out was a utility knife.

    Simply run the knife down the grooves and it cleans out the broken up grout pieces you just worked on.

    close up of tile with grout removed

    The next thing we wanted to tackle were the ceramic fixtures.

    Again, this handy dandy tool came to the rescue.

    Dremel multi max removing old ceramic fixtures from a tile wall

    The Dremel Multi-Max blade was able to reach into the tight spots were the fixtures and grout met.

    TIP: Be care not to grind the tile while you are removing the pieces.

    bathroom with grout removed ready for new grout

    We removed 2 towel racks and one ceramic toilet paper holder.

    We just finished raising the roof of the shower. So we used some of that tile we saved and filled in those missing spots.

    Once we removed all the grout and replaced the missing tiles, it was time to regrout!

    STEP THREE: Start the regrouting process

    We had some grout leftover from our Master Bathroom Remodel, so I mixed a small batch together. Since we are painting our tile, the grout color wasn't an issue for us.

    TIP: One thing to pay attention to is the type of grout as well as the color of the grout. Try to match as closely as possible.

    red tray will with grout and all in one tool

    If you are mixing the grout yourself, the key is to add clean water to the dry powder a little at a time.

    You want it to be the consistency of a Frosty from Wendy's.

    close up of grout consistency

    Too much water means you'll be adding more grout powder which means you've mixed too much grout. It's better to start small and mix thoroughly.

    You want it thick enough to stay on the blade, but thin enough to start running off in a few seconds.

    TIP: There is premixed grout available for purchase if mixing it yourself seems daunting!

    Next, load it onto your rubber grout float.

    rubber grout float loaded with grout ready to apply

    We opted for a rubber based float like this one. I find it easier to work against the tile surface.

    Then you simply push the grout against the surface of the tiles at a 45-degree angle.

    apply grout to tile with a rubber float

    Work along following the lines of the tile spacing. You may have to alter your direction to ensure good coverage.

    apply grout to tile with a rubber float

    It does get messy and a few clumps will fall. But having a drop cloth in place to collect those clumps of grout as well as a damp cloth helps.

    Another important thing to do is to remove any grout that may have fallen where the tub and tile meet.

    cleaning excess grout from tile and tub line

    This area is intended for caulk to create water resistance blocking any water that may seep in.

    So after you have all your grout in place, it's time to wipe away any excess.

    tile with grout applied and ready to be wiped away.

    Using a bucket filled with warm water and a damp sponge, lightly wipe away the excess grout until it's smooth.

    wiping away excess grout with a yellow sponge

    But you may have to make a few passes with fresh water to ensure that all the grout haze is removed from the tile.

    And here's what it looks like once it's dry!

    shower surround regrouted

    After the grout has fully cured, the next day you can add a grout sealant to prevent future mildew from growing.

    Since we are painting our tile, now we are ready to wet sand the tile and finally paint it a bright white.

    gloved hand painting old tile with epoxy paint

    See the Final Reveal of the Painted Tile Here!

    So, with the help of a handy tool, we were able to get this knocked out very quickly.

    The Dremel Multi-Max MM50 has 5.0 amps of power making it easy to tackle any project you have.

    In fact, we even used the Multi-Max for sanding the vanity base and also to cut nails to raise the frame of our shower ceiling! We also have used it for removing carpet in our basement!

    So if you want to read more about the specs of this must have tool, you can find all the details about the Multi-Max MM50 over at Dremel.com.

    man holding Dremel multi max tool giving a thumbs up

    So, as you can see, it's a great tool with lots of attachments to help you tackle many projects!

    We also had the honor to try Dremel's Ultra-Saw as well and it came in handy when we removed the top to our vanity.

    Dremel ultra saw cutting through a countertop

    We were also able to swap the blades and use a grinding disc to remove some old thin set above the vanity.

    Dremel ultras grinding away old grout

    It's like having a mini circular saw that helps get into those hard to reach spaces. You can read all about the Ultra-Saw's specs here.

    So, I hope this helped you learn how to easily regrout your bathtub walls without having to remove all the grout. You don't have to knock out all the tile to get the job done.

    But having the right tools for the job is key.

    So stay tuned for the final reveal of this bathroom makeover. We are in the final stretch and can't wait to show it off! Sign up for my newsletter so you don't miss it!

    If you have any questions, be sure to leave me a comment below and I'd be honored to help out in any way possible.

    Click Here To See How the
    Bathroom Looks Now!

    Pin this for later

    Don't miss the other posts
    in this Bathroom Makeover!

    THE BEFORE
    RAISE THE ROOF: HOW WE MADE THE BATHROOM CEILING TALLER
    DIY SHOWER DOOR UPDATE
    HOW TO MAKE A BATHROOM VANITY TALLER
    REGROUTING BATHROOM TILE
    INSTALLING AND LIMEWASHING BRICK VENEER
    DIY CEILING PLANKS FROM LAMINATE FLOORING
    HOW WE CHANGED OUR BATHROOM TILE FOR $150
    HOW TO MAKE CEDAR FRAMED MIRRORS
    THE BIG REVEAL!

    « Welcome Home Saturday with The Aspiring Home
    Home Decor Finds from Home Depot »

    Join the List

    for your weekly Noting Grace fix.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Jennifer Fancher

      August 12, 2022 at 2:59 pm

      Great question Teresa - and I'm so glad this post has inspired you!

      There is a special kind of sandpaper used for wet sanding. It's a much finer grit than regular sandpaper used for wood and it's intended for glossy surfaces.

      And the process is exactly as it sounds - you wet the surface and then sand. I had a bucket of water nearby that I would often dip into to keep the surface damp.

      Hope that helps and send pics of your finished bathroom - I would love to see it!

      Jen

    2. Teresa

      August 06, 2022 at 11:09 pm

      Wow, I’m so glad I ran across your budget friendly post! Gave me such great information and I really think we can do this . I’ve definitely got to get that amazing tool you used for multiple things especially how to remove and re grout some areas . Our master bathroom isn’t really big the tile I’m so done with the brown’s and cream’s we’ve been saving $$$ doing our painting, it’s work Yesss but worth especially with some of the outrageous prices for anything. Just had a recent quote just to replace tile for the shower and around the big bathtub was over $5,000 I couldn’t believe it. So thanks for taking the time out to share your so helpful info. Oh what is wet sanding? Please holler back if you get a chance 🤗thanks again 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

    3. Jennifer Fancher

      November 08, 2019 at 6:34 pm

      Great question! I just posted the tutorial on how to paint your tile. It's super easy and super affordable - which I love!

      Painted Tile Tutorial

    4. Jennifer Fancher

      November 08, 2019 at 6:32 pm

      Dremel is the Bomb!! We've loved their tools for years, but this Multi-Max is the next level!

    5. Anonymous

      November 04, 2019 at 1:36 pm

      I love this blog since I am currently remodeling my guest bath too! After you wet sand the bath tiles, what kind of paint did you use on tiles? Or is that still coming up on your blog? Thanks for keeping me inspired!!!

    6. Cynthia

      November 03, 2019 at 6:38 pm

      It looks great and super easy!

    7. Cindy

      November 03, 2019 at 8:27 am

      Having the right tools makes all the difference. I tackled this job in our old house. I felt overwhelmed but once I got the right tools it was much easier. Have to love Dremel.

      Cindy

    Primary Sidebar

    Jen and Trent Fancher

    Hi, We're Jen and Trent!

    We’re the DIYers behind the projects here at Noting Grace. We know that having the home of our dreams isn’t a reality for most of us, but you can create a home you love with a little bit of ingenuity.

    Our hope is to encourage, inspire and provide you with all the tools to help you create a home with intention that you love to live in.

    Want to know a little about us?

    More about us →

    Latest Posts

    • How to Paint Dentil Moulding - the Easy Way!
    • Easy Seasonal Interchangeable Wreath
    • DIY Lime Slurry Terracotta Vase
    • Welcome Home Saturday - Family Changes

    Trending Now

    • How we Changed our Bathroom Tile for $150 bucks
    • Everything You Wanted to Know about Limewash
    • How to Add an Apron Front Sink to Existing Granite Counters
    • DIY Flooring: How We Changed our Kitchen in 3 days for Less than $400

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Meet Jen & Trent

    ABOUT
    PRIVACY POLICY
    DISCLOSURES

    Newsletter

    FREE PRINTABLES
    SUBSCRIBE to our Newsletter

    Contact

    CONTACT
    WORK WITH US /
    Brand Partnerships

    Noting Grace is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed
    to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

    COPYRIGHT © 2022 NOTING GRACE

    1310 shares