How to update the seams between the tiles in the bathroom?

Tile is a universal finishing material. It is used both for finishing floors and walls in the bathroom, in the kitchen, and for the hallway, and even for the veranda, terrace. When laying, in order to achieve the perfect appearance of the finished surface, carefully close all the joints between the elements of the grout. But over time, any seam between the tiles begins to darken and lose their attractiveness, especially quickly this happens in the bathroom, where there is high humidity. In this article we will talk about how to update the seams between the tiles in the bathroom, without spending a lot of effort on this process.

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How to determine if an update is needed?

Removing contaminants in the bathroom should occur regularly. At a minimum, cleaning with a brush and special products should occur every 3 months. But over time, there always comes a moment when you need to update the grout on the tiles in the bathroom. This is due not only to the aesthetic appearance, but, first of all, precisely with the hygiene of the bathroom. Another factor is that due to this frequent leaving, the grout layer is erased. In order to understand whether to update the seams in the bathroom, consider the following:

1. The joints between the tiles darkened and acquired a “dirty” shade.
2. The grout began to crumble or crumble.
3. You have mold or fungus.
4. Also the cause may be the presence of dirt and grease.
5. Routine cleaning no longer helps get rid of stains.

Important! With the manifestation of at least one given sign, this is a clear signal to action.

Factors affecting the condition of the joints

Everyone knows perfectly well that in order to get rid of a problem, it is necessary, first of all, to eliminate the causes of this problem. If the seams between your tiles lost their appearance earlier than you expected, find out the reason for this.

Among them may be such:

1. Failure to comply with the rules that are necessary for laying tiles.
2. Seams were not pre-processed.
3. Poor ventilation system.

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Getting to work

In fact, there are many options for updating grout in the bathroom.

Determine the way

Among them, 2 main groups can be distinguished: cosmetic methods and capital method. The first includes such methods as:

1. Cleaning with household chemicals.
2. Cleaning folk remedies.
3. Marker.
4. Seam painting.

The second has only one capital method available, which involves a complete replacement of the grout between the tiles.

Important! If you are going to restore the joints due to the appearance of mold, then of all the above methods, only the last one will suit you. Applying, for example, paint will only slow down the growth of the fungus, but will not stop it.

Preparatory stage

Before you update the seams between the tiles in the bathroom, you need to decide which method you will use to improve the appearance, and also prepare for the process itself. To do this, remove all excess furniture and household appliances from the bathroom. If necessary, remove even the toilet and sink.

Important! In addition to creating comfortable conditions, you also need to protect yourself. Prepare special goggles, a respirator and gloves. For work, clothing from the store is most suitable. It does not interfere and protects against everything that could threaten you at the time of repair.

Household chemicals

One of the most common and fastest ways to update tile joints in the bathroom is cleaning with household chemicals.For this event, you will need a brush, which will be updated, and washing. An old toothbrush is ideal for your work - its bristles are most consistent with the required stiffness.

Detergent can be 3 types:

1. Powdery. In order to start working with it, pour a little powder into a container, soak it with water to form a slurry. Apply the resulting mixture to the brush and wipe the problem area. After cleaning, rinse the seam with water and let dry.
2. Gel. Unlike powder, the gel does not need to be mixed with water. It is enough to apply it to the brush and use it to place the product on the seam. After that, leave it for five minutes. After the time, wipe the seams with a sponge and rinse with water.
3. Spray. This type of detergent must be applied to the tile joints with a spray. In order for the effect of the spray to have an effect, leave it on the surface for several minutes. After - clean the surface, rinse it and wipe the tile.

Important! When working with household chemicals, be sure to think about protecting your body. From prolonged contact with bare skin, you can even get a burn. When using concentrated substances, consider airing the room.

Folk remedies

The use of household chemicals is not always appropriate. This happens in situations with poorly ventilated rooms, as well as in the presence of allergic reactions to drugs. In this case, in order to update the grout on the tiles in the bathroom, folk recipes for cleaning products are used.

The most popular and effective recognized 2 ways.

Peroxide with soda

This mixture is prepared simply, does not cause any harm to humans and is very effective against pollution. To prepare it, take the key ingredients in a ratio of 4 parts soda to 3 peroxides. Next, smear this mixture on the seams, rub it and wait about 2 hours. After - rub the processed places.

Important! It is not recommended to use this method for seams that have a variety of color shades.

Soap solution

The easiest and most affordable way to update the grout in the bathroom:

1. To prepare the solution, grind the soap into small pieces. This can be done with a knife or using a coarse grater.
2. Pour everything with warm water, stir until the soap completely dissolves.
3. Take a sponge and wet it.
4. Put the product on the seams and wipe until the visible traces of dirt disappear.
5. After cleaning, rinse the foam after cleaning with water and wipe dry thoroughly so that soap scatter does not form on the ceramic surface.

Important! For use, both ordinary soap and laundry soap are suitable.

Marker

A simple and short-lived way to renew the joints between tiles in the bathroom. Such a tool is not sold in every store, which means that it still needs to be searched. Use is nowhere simpler. In order to paint over the seams, it is necessary:

1. Wash the surface of the grout with soap and water.
2. Restore cracked and fallen areas.
3. Remove excess and clean seams.
4. Apply marker paint for joints.

The advantage of this method, of course, is the simplicity of the work performed. The disadvantage is the fragility of the work. Such a tool is suitable for those who urgently need to put the bathroom in order before the arrival of important guests.

Important! It is only necessary to apply the marker on a dry surface, otherwise, all your efforts will be wasted.

Stitch painting

Another quick and easy way to upgrade tile joints in the bathroom.

Important! Like the previous method, this method is short-lived and requires repetition after 6 months. Seams are painted over the old grout.

Choose a paint for this purpose is not difficult. Many manufacturers offer a wide variety of specially designed paints of various shades. This recommendation is suitable even for those who have unevenly applied the first coat of paint and want to even out the tone.

To properly stitch seams, follow these instructions:

1. The enamel layer of the tile can harm the process. Therefore, it must be removed using a large emery cloth.
2. Sand the wiped surface.
3. Degrease the surface with acetone or another solvent.
4. Apply a primer to the surface and let it dry.
5. Grind the seams, remove excess soil.
6. Now feel free to paint on the surface.

Important! For lovers of creative design, there is an option to decorate the seams using the decoupage technique. For this necessary size of the strip with a pattern, glue it to the surface and fix it with varnish in two layers.

Popular means for updating tile joints

In fact, the market offers a wide variety of options. But among all there are the most effective ones who have been leaders for several years now. Among them:

1. Edding 8200 - is a marker. Its main advantage is water resistance. It has 2 shades in the palette: white and gray.
2. PUFAS FRISCHE FUGE - paint for updating seams. It has the usual white color, but at the same time there is the possibility of adding colors to it to give it the desired shade, suitable for the color of the tile coating.
3. COLORED STAIN REMOVER - a means for cleaning a variety of contaminants, including organic. Effective in combating mold.

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Grout replacement

If you have long been going to carefully update the seams between the tiles in the bathroom, and just removing dirt or painting does not help, the last option remains. Even a novice can replace the grout in the bathroom - just follow the instructions.

Necessary tools

Before starting the replacement work, you need to prepare the following list of tools:

1. A tool with which you will remove the mixture located between the tiles. It can be a thick iron rod, a special saw or a simple screwdriver.
2. Hard bristle brush. A toothbrush can act in its role.
3. Narrow rubber spatula.
4. Grout. There are 3 options for the basis of the product - Portland cement, furan resins, epoxy. The compositions themselves differ in price and some properties - this is worth paying attention to when choosing.
5. Paint for seams.
6. Sponge.
7. Vinegar and water.
8. Primer.
9. Clothes for work. Gloves and glasses.

Stage 1. Cleaning the seams

Before starting work, wear protective clothing, gloves and glasses. After that, follow the instructions:

• Make a solution of water and vinegar in a ratio of 1 to 2.
• Use a brush or sponge to apply all the seams that are to be removed.
• Leave the seams for 20-30 minutes so that the mortar can soften the old grout.
• After - using the tool that you have prepared, proceed to stripping the seam.

Important! It is necessary to act with extreme caution in order not to touch the tile and not to chip it.

• After removing the main grout, use a stiff brush to remove any old mixture.

Important! If a cement mixture was used as a grout, then simple water with vinegar will not be enough. A specially designed acidic cleaner is used here, which is very carefully applied with a brush to the grout surface. Further, everything happens, as described previously.

• The last important cleaning action is to wash the seams with soapy water, after which you need to wait half an hour and let the seams dry.

Important! If the fungus was the reason for replacing the seam, then the seams must be treated with special antiseptic agents before starting the primer.

Stage 2. Primer seam

After everything is neatly cleaned, proceed to the next step. Walking with a primer is not difficult, and even a beginner will do it. Just remember a few rules:

1. Usually the soil dries up for 2-3 hours. But it is best to look at the time in the application instructions and maintain the period specified by the manufacturer.
2. If traces of soil remain on the tile, they must be removed immediately, otherwise it will be much more difficult to do this later.

Stage 3. Apply the grout

When our soil has dried up, it is necessary to start applying the grout. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Stir the selected grout until smooth.
2. Apply it with a rubber spatula to each seam. This should be done carefully and quickly, since the mixture hardens quickly enough.
3. The composition should not be too thick. This may interfere with normal stitching.
4. Excess mixture is removed with a damp sponge.
5. Next, leave it for 12-20 hours until the mixture completely dries.
6. After the time has passed, apply protective agents with a water-repellent and antifungal property.

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Stock footage

With all the recommendations in this article, you can easily update the seams between the tiles in the bathroom, while choosing the most optimal way for you to do this. It will also help you stay “in trend”, because the colored seams between the tiles are an individual note of each person. Use our recommendations and keep your bathroom clean and comfortable, applying quite feasible measures to this.