Reasons for removing grout

Before we begin our guide, let's take a quick look at why you need to remove tile grout and what the benefits of removing old grout are.

- Removing grout to safely extract tiles - If you want to replace a damaged or chipped tile, you will first need to remove the grout around it. This is to break the connection between adjacent tiles and prevent them from being damaged when you remove the broken tile.

- Update your grout to a modern, easier-to-clean grout - Chances are you have an old, outdated tile grout that is worn and faded, and also difficult to keep clean because it is highly porous and tends to attract dust. By simply extracting the old grout from your tiles, you can re-grout them with a modern and more durable grout which will make cleaning and everyday life much easier.

- Dramatically change the look of a room without spending a lot of money - many first time home buyers or flippers like to replace the grout on old tile surfaces. It's a cheap and effective way to do this or refresh an old surface while saving money. A complete grout removal kit and a few hours of your time is much cheaper than removing and resurfacing a floor or wall.

- Change the colour of your grout - similar to the previous tip. You may find that you don't like the colour of your grout, either because someone else has chosen it or because your home décor has changed. By removing this grout, you can re-grout your tiles in a colour that suits your new design and taste.

- Repair cracked or damaged grout - A common reason for removing grout is that it has been damaged, spalled, cracked or heavily stained with dirt. This is particularly true of shower floors, where the grout has been badly damaged and washed away due to constant exposure to water. Removing the old tile grout and applying a new batch of modern is the best way to remedy these problems.

- Clean up odours around pet areas - you love your pets and they love you. Unfortunately, they do leave traces of that love indoors and will start to stink over time.

No matter how hard you scrub or steam clean, the urine will seep deep into your grout and be impossible to remove.

This is because standard grout is porous and liquids can penetrate deep into it, sitting underneath the tiles.

A tile replacement project. The first step is to remove the grout.

The best way to remove pet odours from grout is to remove it completely and replace it with new grout or even epoxy grout.

Epoxy is completely waterproof and will not allow any dirt to penetrate.

This last tip also applies to other smells and odours, especially in wet areas such as around showers or toilets. Odorous liquids can penetrate the grout and stay underneath it, leaving an unpleasant smell that you can't get at. Replacing it is your best bet.

Now that we know what we want to remove from tile grout, let's take a look at the list of equipment needed to effectively remove grout.

Now it's time to assemble your grout removal kit.