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Views: 86 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2023-11-24 Origin: Site
There are many ways to remove grout, but each type of tool has benefits and drawbacks. Generally speaking, the more powerful the tool, the more dust it will produce, so be sure to wear a mask and all other applicable personal protective equipment when removing grout.
An oscillating tool equipped with a grout removal blade is one of the best options and can be used for any type of grout as long as the right blade is available. Rather than grinding the grout into a messy dust like a reciprocating saw, rotary tool or angle grinder, this tool operates at a slower speed and uses an oscillating motion to remove larger pieces of grout. Although much quicker and easier than removing grout manually, oscillating tools take more time and effort than the higher powered options.
A reciprocating saw with a grout-gripping blade is the ideal tool for removing hard grout, such as the sanding or epoxy varieties. It gets the job done quickly, but if you lack experience with these powerful saws - which can jump around and damage nearby tiles during use - then take your time until you get the hang of it.
A rotary tool with a grout removal attachment is the slowest of the power grout removal methods, but it will still kick up a lot of dust, so it's best suited to smaller grout removal projects. To avoid hitting the edges of the tiles with the rotary tool, make sure there is at least 1/8" clearance between the tiles.
Angle grinders are a powerful tool and are best suited to large grout removal projects with lots of long straight lines. They can easily cut epoxy, sanded or grit-free grout. As with rotary tools, their rotating discs require a 1/8" clearance between tiles to avoid damage. The main disadvantage of angle grinders is that they throw so much dust into the air that they can quickly become a breathing hazard, so wear a standard N95 dust mask to filter out particles.
Manual grout removal tools generally consist of a handle and blade, which vary in shape and degree of ergonomic support. They make grout removal a long, difficult and tedious job, so only rely on them for very small projects using sand-free grout, or to clean tile lines after using the electric option.
When looking for the best grout removal tools, there are some important aspects to consider to ensure you pick the best tool for yourself and your project.
Manual versus mechanical
The size and time frame of your project will determine whether you use a manual or mechanical grout removal tool. Please note that the mechanical tools mentioned here all have various uses beyond grout removal, such as cutting and sanding.
Manual grout removal tools can be used for smaller projects such as dressing room floors or kitchen backsplashes. They also come in handy for precise detail work, for example removing fine deposits from tiles after the power tools have removed most of the grout. Grout knives for grinding grout and carbide cutters for unsanded grout are among your options; don't try to remove epoxy grout with hand tools.
Mechanical grout removal tools are faster and better suited to larger projects. Less powerful options, such as oscillating or rotary tools, can easily cut through unsanded grout, while more powerful options, such as reciprocating saws or angle grinders, can handle sanded or even epoxy grout.
Blade material
Blade material becomes important when working with harder grout types such as sanded and epoxy grout.
Carbide blades are the preferred choice for most grout removal tools as they are affordable and hard enough to handle the toughest grout.
Tungsten steel blades are harder and more expensive than carbide blades, but they work fast and are particularly suitable for handling large quantities of epoxy grout.
Stainless steel blades are the softest and cheapest option and are ineffective on hard grout. Use them to remove sand-free grout or to clean the edges of tiles.
