You can change the grout color in order to bring back the bright appearance of the tiled flooring. Here is a step-by-step guide for changing grout color.
We select tiles as flooring material mainly because its attractive look remains intact for several years. However, the drawback of tile flooring is the discoloration of tile grout after some time. The porous nature of grout is basically responsible for this. It easily absorbs moisture, dirt, and germs on its surface which make it look stained and discolored. The most effective solution to this problem is to apply grout colorant, also known as grout paint to change its color.
Steps to Change Grout Color
There are lots of preparations that are needed in order to change tile grout color. It includes preparation of the floor, selection of the right type of colorant, and paint brush.
Step 1: The first step involves preparation of the grout so that the colorant adheres properly to its surface. For this, thorough cleaning is a must in order to remove all the loose dust particles, old grout sealers, oily residues, and soaps. You can use acid base grout cleaners available in the market for this purpose. Since these cleaners contain harsh chemicals, you should protect yourself with safety gears like hand gloves and goggles.
After using the cleaner, rinse off the tile grout with warm water so that the chemicals are not left behind on the floor. Finally, allow it to dry up properly before you proceed to the next step. You can repeat the steps of cleaning and rinsing if you find the remains of dirt and grime on the grout lines.
Step 2: There are several brands of colorant that are available in the market. Each one of them have different drying time and the waiting time in between the application of two coats. Water based grout paint is preferred simply because they penetrate well into the grout while an enamel paint will only sit on top of the grout. No matter which brand you choose, you should read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and follow the same while applying the colorant.
Step 3: Selection of the right type of brush is also very important. This is because you want a thin, even coat of colorant to be applied on the grout lines in such a way that it does not overlap the surrounding tile surface. The artist brush found in paint stores are just perfect for this purpose. Choose a size for the brush that will enable you to move it through the grout line in one stroke. If required you can trim the bristles at the end with scissors to get a proper width of the brush. Then run your fingers over the bristles so that all the loose hair of the brush fall off.
Step 4: Pour some colorant into a small container with a flat surface. Dip the tip of the brush into a bowl of water first and then into the colorant, and then apply the paint into the grout joint with long strokes. Special attention should be given to the nook and crannies of the grout. Continue the application of colorant till all the tile grouts are covered. Make sure you move the brush back and forth a number of times. If required, repeat the application several times. Thus you can get a uniform coat of the paint on the tile grout. Keep the newly painted grout untouched for the next 24 hours so that it dries up thoroughly. You should apply at least two coats so that the color can last for a long time.
Step 5: Finally, it’s time for floor cleaning to remove the colorant that got spilled over the tiles. You should wait until the paint has dried. Sprinkle some water on the tiles and wait for a few minutes. This is done to protect the tile from any kind of harsh abrasion. Then take a scouring pad which is suitable for plastic surface and clean the tiles with it. Take one small area at a time and scrub it with small, circular motions. Do not scrub the colorant. If the paint is too firmly attached to the tile, it has to be removed with the help of a sharp razor blade. Once you are done with the cleaning job, apply a grout sealer to the joints.
There is no doubt that when you want to change the tile grout color, you will have to work very hard for it. However, the end result will be highly fulfilling. You can maintain this new look of the tile flooring for a long time if you use a good quality dust mop to sweep the floors. Placing area rug in the areas near the entrances can prevent accumulation of dirt into the grout to a great extent.
