Kansas City Bathroom Remodeling is a big believer in making little changes for big impact! One of the simplest things you can do to improve the appearance of your bathroom is replacing grout and caulk. It’s so easy, in fact, that many homeowners choose to handle these tasks themselves.
Grout
We recommend that you replace grout every 12-15 years unless yours is damaged or was installed poorly to begin with. Kansas City Bathroom Remodeling can replace all the grout in your bathroom in one day, making it a fast, low-cost, hassle-free bathroom renovation project.
Removing Grout
For large areas, you’ll need a rotary tool that is operated by grout tool or a regular drill. To clean out the smaller areas, pros use a small grout removal tool that has a blade made of carbide so that the clean edges of the tile are exposed.
Hitting the tile while using a rotary tool can ruin the edge of the tile and prevent the new grout from giving you crisp lines, so go slow and use caution!
Reapplying Grout
If you’re replacing all the grout, it won’t matter what color you choose, but if you are replacing a small area that has been damaged or hopelessly discolored by mold and mildew, it will need to be chosen carefully for a perfect match. This is where Kansas City Bathroom Remodeling can really be of use.
You’ll need another special tool called a margin float to get a smooth, consistent layer of grout. You’ll also need to know the proper drying time before cleaning up – enough not to ruin your work, when excess grout can still be removed with a wet sponge or towel.
Caulk
New caulk is easy but messy to install, especially for a first timer. Kansas City Bathroom Remodeling can be of great assistance when you have a home project, big or small.
Caulk doesn’t last as long, as you probably know as a homeowner or renter. It needs to be replaced every 5 years or so, especially in and around the shower and tub where caulk is exposed to moisture every single day.
If you can actually see mold and mildew, it’s definitely time to replace your caulk!
Removing Caulk
Luckily, removal is easy. Old caulk can be peeled or scraped off. It may have even started to peel up on its own. A good cleaning will remove all the stuck-on bits.
Reapplying Caulk
It is possible to apply a wider strip over old caulk, but it’s not always a good idea if mold or mildew was present. You’ll just be masking a problem, not repairing it.
The surface to be re-caulked, whether the old caulk is being removed or not, should be cleaned and painted before the caulk is applied to get the best finish.
Kansas City Bathroom Remodeling has years of experience applying caulk, so we can guarantee a flawless finish. We expertly apply caulk at a 45 degree angle, squeezing steadily for consistent appearance, smoothing it as we go.
To quickly improve the appearance of your bathroom, call us now for grout and caulk replacement!
