{"id":420,"date":"2021-03-09T17:36:01","date_gmt":"2021-03-09T17:36:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cohesivehomes.com\/?p=420"},"modified":"2022-07-07T07:29:11","modified_gmt":"2022-07-07T07:29:11","slug":"how-do-you-fix-thick-uneven-grout-lines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cohesivehomes.com\/how-do-you-fix-thick-uneven-grout-lines","title":{"rendered":"How Do You Fix Thick & Uneven Grout Lines?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Construction workers are notorious for cutting corners when they know no one is looking or as they get closer to the finish line. One of the last bits that they need to work on includes filling grout between tiles. It isn\u2019t uncommon to find thick and uneven grout lines when you move into a new construction home or a used home you just bought.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No matter how beautiful a tile is, if the grout isn\u2019t applied correctly, the end product will look nothing short of ugly. Contractors usually take a long time to fix these because they\u2019re really not that easy to \u2018fix\u2019. So how do you fix thick and uneven grout lines yourself? Is it something that a DIY-er can do?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Definitely. However, grout lines usually need to be \u2018fixed\u2019 before the grout dries up. Once dried, the best option you have at your disposal is to extract the grout entirely and apply new grout in its place. On the other hand, you could also use some at-home mixes or grout haze removers<\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/strong> <\/em>to clean it up. We\u2019ll be discussing these options in detail below.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dealing With Uneven & Thick Grout Lines<\/h2>\n\n\n
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An outdoor tiling project with porcelain tiles and grout – some of the grout lines are uneven or too thick.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

As mentioned above, grout is one of the most important aspects of any tiling job. Not only does it seal off the surface below, but it also adds significantly to the job\u2019s aesthetic. The tiles aren\u2019t as big a determinant as the grout lines are when it comes to improving the overall appeal of your room, so it stands to reason that your grout lines must be straight and even.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The solution to thick and uneven grout lines depends entirely on how long it has been since the grout was initially applied<\/a>, i.e., whether it has dried out or not. For dried grout, you will have to remove it entirely and apply a new one. <\/strong>Surprisingly,\u00a0this is relatively simpler than the alternative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You also have the option of scrubbing your walls with an acid mix or the grout haze remover we mentioned above. This is also a very straightforward way of dealing with the issue but may require some elbow grease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Applying new grout over the old one is relatively more difficult because grout, unlike caulk or silicon, is a rather rigid and inflexible material. It isn\u2019t exactly strong,<\/em> but it isn\u2019t that weak either. Remember, the biggest issue won\u2019t be removing grout (provided the tiles were applied correctly). The hardest part is cleaning up afterwards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, if you have just applied the grout (no more than 12 hours before), fixing the issue could be as simple as using a wet sponge!<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Removing Old Grout<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Cracked grout in between some tiles<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Let\u2019s say that you had a new construction home<\/u><\/a> built. As the project completion date drew nearer, you have to be at your old home helping your family pack up. Since you weren\u2019t present, the contractor may end up doing a terrible job with tiling and you only find this out well after the grout lines have dried up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you ask the contractor to fix it, they won\u2019t say no. They usually give you a year to let them know of any issues that are present in your house. However, they might take a lot of time doing the work, not to mention the inconvenience you\u2019ll have to face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The good news is that<\/strong> you can fix the problem yourself<\/strong> as a DIY-er<\/strong> \u2013 even if this is your first time! You will simply need a grout saw, utility knife or a small hacksaw blade to scrape away the grout. To make sure you don\u2019t end up scratching the tiles, glass, or marble, a soft touch is recommended. Take your time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Start by scraping away excess grout with the blade. Once the excess has been removed, take a step back and analyze the grout lines now. Are they even and to your satisfaction? If so, you are done!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If not, you will have to go deeper. We would recommend that you go with this option and remove all the grout in one go since the blade or saw is very likely to leave behind some scratch marks on the lines. Clean out the gaps between tiles, but make sure you don\u2019t damage the substrate below<\/strong>, especially for walls! You could risk bringing down the tiles as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wear a facemask when doing all this because there is most likely going to be a lot of dust and debris flying around. We recommend keeping a vacuum cleaner nearby and your space well-ventilated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is also the option of using grout haze remover.<\/a> <\/strong>Grout haze is basically the residue left behind by the old contractor:<\/p>\n\n\n

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The white dust is grout haze – residue from the grouting process<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

You can find these removers in ceramic tile stores near you very easily. if you\u2019d like to make one on your own, you will need:<\/p>\n\n\n\n