Grouting & Regrouting Melbourne

Although we specialize in making your natural stone look new again by our process of cleaning and polishing. We also can grout and regrout the areas that need it to complete your home.

If you are grouting existing tiles, you need to make sure you remove the existing grout before preparing to lay down new grout. This will keep the appearance clean and even, as well as prevent mold contamination.

Grout is usually a cement-based material that is used to fill in spaces between tiles, and it can come in various colours. There are also other types of grout, like epoxy grout. These grouts are made from plastic resins of epoxy, and are mixed with the grout at installation. They are usually a lot more expensive than cement grouts and are also available in many colors. We currently ONLY offer grouting services using normal cement based grout. We no longer offer epoxy grouting services.

Areas where we can perform grouting and regrouting:

• Bathrooms
• Showers
• Floors in common areas
• Kitchen splashback tiles
• Balconies and garage floors
• Pavers and patio areas
• Pool surroundings
• All wall areas internal and external

Common reasons for regrouting are:

• Leaking showers
• Cracked grout lines
• Leaking balcony floors
• Missing grout lines
• Permanently stained grout lines
• Efflorescence deposits
• Choice to change the colour of grout
• Crumbling grout lines

GROUT TYPES

There are several choices when selecting grout for a tile floor, wall or countertop. An understanding of the types available can save headaches later. Grout, rather than tile, accounts for some of the worst problems associated with tile. A beautiful white marble floor is not very attractive when the white grout is black and dirty.

CEMENT GROUT

There are basically two types of cement-based grout: sanded and un-sanded. There are several latex additives that can be mixed with the grout, when installed, to provide stain resistance. After installation, it is always recommended to seal your grout with a water based grout sealer to further help prevent staining.

SANDED GROUT

Sanded grout is the most common grout used for ceramic tile, stone, and any tile with a grout joint 1/8 inch or larger. Sanded grout is made of Portland cement, sand, and other additives. When installed, it is mixed with water and toweled into the grout joint. It takes approximately 24 hours for the grout to dry. Sanded grout is as hard as concrete when fully cured, but can have several problems. Sanded grout is very absorbent, and if not sealed, will soak up stains, dirt, and any other liquid spilled on the tile. Care should be exercised in choosing a good sealer to prevent staining and water absorption. Many grouts can be mixed with a latex additive upon installation that will reduce absorbency. Sealing is still recommended. Using sanded grout with a polished marble installation, presents another problem. The sand in the grout will scratch polished marble. This is a common problem with tile contractors who are not familiar with stone installation. Never use sanded grout on polished marble. Polished marble should be installed with a grout width smaller than 1/8 inch.

UNSANDED OR WALL GROUT

Un-sanded grout, commonly called wall grout, is similar to sanded grout without the sand. Wall grout is used on ceramic tile, and polished marble, with grout joints smaller than 1/8 inch. All the cleaning problems associated with sanded grout apply to wall grout. It should be sealed after installation to reduce absorbency.

LATEX MODIFIED GROUT ADDITIVES

Several latex additives are available that can be added to both sanded and un-sanded grouts. These additives are blends of acrylics and latex. They will lower the water absorption, increase the strength, and improve color retention. Some grouts have dried latex powder added at the factory, and, therefore, do not require additional additives. Some manufacturers also add anti-fungal and mildew resistance additives.

EPOXY GROUT ( NO LONGER OFFERED )

Epoxy grout is another type of grout that can be used. However we are currently unfortunately unable to help you with epoxy grouting.

Properties of Epoxy Grout include:

1. Does not stain
2. Repels most chemicals and acids
3. Does not shrink, chip or crack
4. Provides a hygienic surface as it absorbs nothing
5. Very hard wearing
6. Can be installed on floors and walls
7. Variety of colours
8. Never needs sealing

Most common areas where epoxy grout is used are hospitals, commercial kitchens, floors applications in heavy traffic areas, cafes, pubs, cool rooms and freezers.

Epoxy grout is much harder to work with and requires experienced technicians like MELBOURNE TILE SOLUTIONS. It involves up to 4 times more work and time to grout an area with epoxy grout compared to regular grout. It consists of 2-3 components which have to be mixed carefully and precisely in order to achieve best results. Epoxy grouting and regrouting requires a lot of experience as it has to be installed and cleaned at much higher speeds then regular grout. A mixture of epoxy grout has a pot life of about 30 minutes whereas a mixture of regular grout has a pot life of up to 90 minutes.

Epoxy grout residue must be removed within 20 minutes of installation and require 3-4 rinses with special cleaning solution in order to be completely removed. It also requires special tools and personal protection during application. Some fumes might be present during the clean up process so the areas of installation require adequate ventilation.

Epoxy grout costs more per square meter than regular grout. The components themselves are 4 times dearer and involve 3 times more work of regular grouting. Having said that, epoxy grout can last a life time with minimal maintenance and never needs to be sealed. 

FURAN GROUT ( NO LONGER OFFERED )

Furan grouts are similar to epoxy, but are composed of polymers of fortified alcohols that are highly chemical resistant. They are rarely used for residential installation. They are used for industrial projects such as laboratories, dairies, and meat packing plants. Furan grout is only available in black. Special skills are required for proper installation.

Contact MELBOURNE TILE SOLUTIONS today for a obligation free quote on grouting and regrouting.

To schedule your appointment or to obtain a free estimate, please Call 03 5410 7929 or use our online enquiry form. We cover all Melbourne suburbs.