Tiles last for decades, but the grout between them does not. Over time grout cracks, crumbles, stains and grows mould, especially in showers where it is wet every day. Once grout fails, water gets behind the tiles. That can loosen tiles, damage the wall behind and, in the worst cases, cause leaks into neighbouring rooms or under the floor. A cracked or drummy tile can also be a trip hazard or a sharp edge on a wall.

We regrout and repair tiles in bathrooms, ensuites, laundries and kitchens across Berwick, Narre Warren and the City of Casey. Regrouting and spot repairs can bring tired wet areas back to a clean, sound condition for far less disruption than a full renovation.

Tiling services we offer

• Raking out and regrouting shower walls and floors
• Regrouting bathroom, laundry and kitchen floor tiles
• Replacing cracked, chipped or loose wall and floor tiles
• Re-fixing drummy tiles where the bed allows
• Small tiling jobs: splashbacks, laundry walls, behind vanities, window sills
• Grout colour refresh with grout colourant on sound grout
• Sealing grout after regrouting where suitable
• Replacing failed silicone at internal corners and junctions (see silicone and caulking)
• Tiling small patches after fixtures are moved or removed
• Repairing tiled steps and thresholds

When regrouting is the answer

Regrouting suits tiles that are sound and well bonded but have grout that is:

• Cracked or missing in places
• Stained beyond cleaning
• Black or pink with mould deep in the grout
• Crumbly and sandy when touched
• Recessed and collecting dirt

The old grout is carefully raked out to a suitable depth with hand and power tools, the joints are cleaned, and fresh grout is packed in, tooled and cleaned off. In showers, we often use a grout with better water and stain resistance. The result is cleaner, brighter tiles and a sealed surface again.

When regrouting is not enough

Regrouting will not fix a shower that is already leaking through a failed waterproofing membrane. Signs of membrane failure include:

• Water stains or damp skirting outside the shower
• Swollen vanity or door frames near the shower
• Tiles that sound hollow (drummy) over a wide area
• Musty smells that persist after cleaning
• Water damage in the room below a first-floor bathroom

If we see these signs, we will tell you before doing any work. Waterproofing is regulated work in Victoria and must be carried out by someone appropriately qualified, and a leaking shower often needs to be stripped and rebuilt by a waterproofer and tiler. Regrouting over a failed membrane can hide the problem without fixing it.

Replacing broken tiles

A single cracked or chipped tile can often be replaced. We carefully remove it without disturbing the tiles around it, clean back the adhesive, set a new tile flush with its neighbours and grout it in. The main challenge is matching. Tiles go out of production, and older homes may have tiles that are no longer available. Options include:

• Using spare tiles left from the original job, often found in the garage or roof space
• Sourcing a close match from tile suppliers
• Taking a tile from a hidden area, such as under a vanity or inside a cupboard, and replacing that one with a near match
• Using a contrasting feature tile in a deliberate pattern

Drummy tiles

Drummy tiles sound hollow when tapped because the adhesive has lost contact. A few drummy tiles on a wall may stay put for years. Drummy floor tiles can crack under load. Drummy tiles in showers may indicate water getting behind. We assess drummy tiles and either re-fix them or advise if the area needs a bigger repair.

Grout colour and finish

Regrouting is a chance to change the look of a room. Lighter grout brightens a space but shows stains more. Mid greys hide everyday marks and suit most tiles. Dark grout can look modern with white tiles. Epoxy grouts are very stain-resistant but harder to apply. We can show you options and recommend a grout suited to the area.

Kitchen splashbacks

Splashbacks behind cooktops and sinks collect grease and moisture, and grout there tends to discolour. Regrouting a splashback is a quick way to freshen up a kitchen. If you are replacing a splashback, we can tile small areas, or remove old tiles before a new glass or stone splashback is installed by a specialist.

Laundries and toilets

Laundry and toilet floors are often small tiled areas that take a lot of wear. Cracked tiles around the toilet pan or near the washing machine are common. We replace cracked tiles and regrout. Moving the toilet or waste pipes is plumbing work and must be done by a licensed plumber.

Tiles in Casey homes

Bathrooms in 1980s and 1990s homes around Hampton Park, Hallam and Narre Warren often have smaller wall tiles with lots of grout lines, sometimes with decorative borders. These are prime candidates for regrouting. Homes in newer estates like Lynbrook, Lyndhurst and Narre Warren South usually have larger format tiles with fewer joints, but early movement can crack grout lines. Older homes in Berwick may have original tiles in bathrooms and fireplaces that are worth preserving.

Mould in grout

Black mould in shower grout is a common complaint. Surface mould can be cleaned, but when mould has grown deep into porous grout, cleaning only removes the surface and it returns. Regrouting removes the mouldy grout entirely. Improving ventilation, using an exhaust fan and squeegeeing the shower after use all help keep new grout clean.

How long it takes

Regrouting a standard shower usually takes most of a day, including time for the grout to cure before use. We let you know how long to wait before using the shower, usually at least a day. Floors may take longer depending on size.

Asbestos caution

Some older bathrooms have fibre cement sheeting behind tiles that may contain asbestos. When removing tiles in older homes, we watch for this and will stop and recommend testing if we have any doubt.

Related services

• Silicone and caulking
• Bathroom fixtures and accessories
• Floor and skirting repairs
• End-of-lease and rental repairs

Areas covered

Tiling and regrouting across Berwick, Narre Warren, Narre Warren South, Narre Warren North, Narre Warren East, Hallam, Hampton Park, Lynbrook, Lyndhurst and Harkaway.

Caring for grout after regrouting

To keep new grout looking good:

• Allow full cure time before heavy cleaning or using strong chemicals
• Use a pH-neutral cleaner rather than harsh acids or bleach on coloured grout
• Squeegee shower walls after use to reduce moisture
• Run the exhaust fan during and after showers
• Reapply sealer on cement grout periodically if sealed

Preparing for regrouting

• Clear toiletries, shower caddies and bath mats out of the area
• Let us know if the shower will be needed by someone that day, so we can plan
• Tell us about any leaks or damage you have noticed
• If you have spare tiles from the original job, leave them out

Tile repairs before selling or leasing

Cracked tiles and stained grout stand out in listing photos and at inspections. A quick regrout and tile replacement can make a bathroom look years younger. For rental properties, keeping grout and tiles sound also reduces the risk of water damage claims and maintenance calls.

Floor tiles in high-traffic areas

Entry halls, kitchens and family rooms with tiled floors take constant traffic. Grout in these areas wears down and darkens, and tiles can crack where something heavy was dropped or where the slab underneath has a hairline crack. We can regrout floors, replace damaged tiles and advise whether a crack running through several tiles in a line is likely to be following a movement in the slab below.

Outdoor tiles

Tiled porches, alfresco areas and pool surrounds are exposed to sun and rain. Outdoor grout and adhesive must suit external conditions, and loose tiles outdoors can be a trip hazard. We can replace loose or cracked outdoor tiles and regrout small areas. Large outdoor tiling or waterproofed balconies are best handled by a specialist tiler.

Regrouting versus retiling

If your bathroom tiles are sound but dated, regrouting and new silicone can make a big difference at a fraction of the disruption of retiling. If tiles are cracked throughout, loose over large areas or the room has waterproofing problems, a full renovation will give a better outcome. We are happy to give you an honest opinion on which suits your bathroom.

Tools and dust control

Raking out grout creates fine dust, especially with power tools. We use dust extraction where possible, mask off surrounding areas, protect drains so grout residue does not go down them, and vacuum thoroughly at the end. Bathrooms are compact spaces, so we keep the door closed while we work to contain dust from the rest of the home.

Tiling around new fixtures

When a vanity, toilet or towel rail is changed, the new fixture rarely covers exactly the same footprint as the old one. That leaves gaps in the tiling, old holes or patches of bare wall. We can tile small areas to fill these gaps, using matching tiles where available or a neat feature tile where not, and patch old fixing holes in tiles with suitable fillers.

Fireplace hearths and feature tiles

Some older Berwick homes still have tiled fireplace hearths and surrounds. Loose or cracked tiles here can often be re-fixed or replaced with care, keeping the character of the room intact.

Frequently asked questions