Three Tips for Shower Grout Repair

When your once-dazzling shower is beginning to look downright depressing and the clean, sharp lines that once framed attractive tiling are beginning to look dingy and worn it is time for grout repair. If things are bad, the grout may be cracking and falling out from between the tiles. Obviously, it is time for shower grout repair. Although the job is manageable for novice do-it-yourselfers, there are a few things you can do to make the task easier and safer. This article will examine three great tips for shower grout repair.Keep an Eye on the ClockShower grout repair isn’t a project that homeowners can expect to complete quickly. The actual work may or may not take a great deal of time depending upon your exact circumstances and needs, but the overall process requires patience.Shower grout repair is a ninety-six hour project. So, before you decide to tackle the job, make sure you have some other plan for showering for a few days! On the first day, you do the work. After you actually re-grout and caulk the areas in need of repair, you will need to allot two days for the grout to cure. Then, you will need to apply a sealant and wait another full day before you can use the shower again.Resist the urge to rush. If you don’t allow the grout to cure or the sealant to set, the moisture produced when the shower is used can undo all of your hard work and you’ll be back at the home improvement store in record time. Don’t tempt fate by bathing, either. The curing grout or sealant probably won’t provide great aromatherapy, and unintended splashing or steam from your bath can be just as damaging as any shower. The humidity you’d create could destroy your shower grout repair work.Don’t Forget the Tub FloorNo matter how careful you are, the shower grout repair process will produce some messiness. Place tape over your drain hole or plug it using some other means before beginning your work. This will help keep debris from finding its way into the drain. Then, cover the floor of the tub or shower with a canvass cloth, blanket or old sheet. You don’t want to accidentally allow grout to cure on the shower floor, nor do you want any other accidents or damage to occur.Even after taking those precautions, you might end up with grout sealant on the shower floor. This key ingredient of shower grout repair can be quite slick, so be careful when moving about in the tub. If you find some sealant on the floor, clean it up as quickly as possible using nothing more than soapy water. Harsher cleansers are unnecessary and may damage the finish of your tub.Protect YourselfIt is important to protect your tub when performing shower grout repair, but protecting yourself is critical. You will be dealing with an assortment of tools and appliances. You will be handling some powerful chemicals. As such, you must be careful.Make sure your bathroom is ventilated adequately in case the grout or sealants you are using create any unattractive odors or fumes. You should wear eye protection at all times, especially when chipping away at dried grout. You should also perform all work while wearing heavy-duty rubber gloves in order to protect your skin and hands from cuts and chemicals. Shower grout repair isn’t dangerous, but there is no reason to create unnecessary risks when you can avoid them easily.Shower grout repair is a great way to revitalize your tired shower. It can bring a new look to an old shower while protecting walls from water damage. By following recommendations like these, you can get the job done effectively and safely.