How to Remove Tile Grout

 Removing tile grout is remarkably easy, clean, and fast. Though it may seem daunting, this task can take as little as an afternoon, depending on the size of the tile area.

The Spruce / Ashley Luciano

While you can remove grout manually, an oscillating multi-tool equipped with a grout removal blade makes the job considerably faster and easier. With this handy tool, you can remove 15 square feet of grout on 4-by-4-inch tile in about an hour.

The Spruce / Michela Buttignol

Why Remove Tile Grout

• Mold and mildew: The old grout might be moldy and beyond cleanable. In many cases, it is faster and easier to remove the grout than to clean it.
• Design: The existing grout color is no longer pleasing to you, and you wish to change it. One way to change grout color is to colorize existing grout. But the more effective way is to use entirely new tinted grout.
• Grout in poor condition: The grout is chipped and falling out. Patching in with new grout doesn’t work well; it’s better to remove everything and grout it again.
• Repair tile surface: Grout from poor tilework that has been allowed to dry on the surface of the tile should be removed.

What You’ll Need

Equipment / Tools

• Safety goggles
• Oscillating tool and grout removal blade
• Carbide tip grout removal tool
• Utility knife with a dull blade
• Shop vacuum

Materials

• Garbage bag

Instructions

How to Remove Grout in Tile Seams

 The Spruce / Ashley Luciano

1. 
   

   Grind Grout Straight On

   Put on safety goggles to protect your eyes. Fit the oscillating tool with a blade designed for removing tile grout. Start by holding the tool horizontally (or vertically in the case of vertical seams), turning on the power, and lightly pressing the blade to the grout.

   Let the power tool do the work; do not force it. The blade should easily chew through the grout. As you work, place only large chunks of grout in the garbage bag. You’ll be able to vacuum up smaller pieces later.

   Tip

   An oscillating tool removes grout without harming the tile because the grout is much softer than the tile. However, it is possible to damage the tile if you press too hard or for too long. Work carefully and keep your eye on the blade.

2. 
   

   Grind the Grout at an Angle

   Once you have removed as much grout as possible by holding the tool horizontally, it is time to gently angle the blade to remove more grout. Work slowly and patiently to help ensure that you do not damage the edges of your tile.

   One trick is to support your arm on a toolbox, so it does not get tired during the process. Or you can hold the tool primarily with your strong hand, then support the tool underneath with your other hand.

3. 
   

   Scrape With a Carbide Tip Grout-Removal Tool

   After you have done as much grout removal as possible with the power tool, your next line of attack is the small carbide tip grout-removal tool. The head will fit into the joints and allow you to scrape out stubborn chunks of grout. Do not try to remove every last bit; that is for the next step. Your intent is to knock out hunks that the oscillating tool may have loosened but not completely removed.

   Tip

   Be careful not to pry the grout removal tool against the tile edges, as this can easily chip them.

4. 
   

   Clean up With a Utility Knife

   If you are still finding bits of grout that will not come out, switch to a utility knife with a dull blade. You want a dull blade for several reasons: First, it makes no sense to use up a nice, sharp blade on tile grout. Use that sharp blade for something else first. Second, you do not want to risk snapping off the sharp point of the utility knife and getting injured.

5. 
   

   Vacuum as You Go

   Use a shop vacuum to frequently clean up the grout joints as you work. This helps you see what you are doing and helps pull loose material out of the joints. It also minimizes the mess in your work area. When you’ve finished removing the grout, give all of the joints a final pass with the vacuum to remove all loose debris.

How to Remove Grout on Tiles

Grout sometimes will end up on the surface of the tile. If the grout is still wet, simply wipe off with a wet sponge. If the grout has hardened, a few simple and gentle tactics will remove most dried grout from the tile surface.

1. 
   

   Scrape With a Plastic Scraper

   Starting at one side of the dried grout, lay the edge of the scraper firmly on the tile surface. Press the scraper forward to dislodge the grout. Back up and scrape forward again.

   Tip

   To avoid scratching the tile, use only a plastic scraper, never a metal scraper. If you don’t have a plastic scraper, try using an old credit card or an ice scraper.

2. 
   

   Scrape in Short Strokes

   Work in short strokes. Do not continue scraping farther than is necessary. Long scrapes may scratch the tile with dislodged grout. Frequently wipe up the debris to avoid scratching the surface with the grout.

3. 
   

   Wipe With a Wet Sponge

   Soak a sponge in clean, warm water. Wipe up the dried grout with the sponge. After the tile surface has dried, assess your work and scrape again if necessary.

Grout Removal Tips and Troubleshooting

• Make sure that you’re using a masonry blade on the oscillating tool. Metal or wood blades are inappropriate and require more effort.
• For delicate tile areas, run a strip of painter’s tape or electrical tape along the side of the tile seam to protect the tile.
• To protect the face of the tile, tape down cardboard.
• If you’re able to remove the grout all the way down, that’s good. But if you can only remove as far as 1/8-inch, that will work, too. When re-grouting you don’t necessarily need to remove grout all the way down to the substrate.
• If you’re using a battery-powered oscillating tool, you can incorporate water to hold down the dust. Lightly mist the tile surface with a spray bottle. For safety reasons, do not use water with a corded oscillating tool.
• If you’re having a hard time seeing the work due to grout dust, turn on the shop vacuum and keep the nozzle next to the tile seam as you work. Be sure to equip the vacuum with a HEPA filter to avoid broadcasting grout dust throughout the house.