Regrout or retile your bathroom?

How to tell if grout has failed

Healthy grout is firm and evenly coloured. Failed grout crumbles when scratched, has hairline cracks along the joints, or has dropped out in places. In a shower, dark lines that will not clean are often mould living in porous grout rather than on the surface.

• Cracks running along joints rather than across tiles
• Gaps where grout has washed out
• Grout soft enough to scrape out with a key
• Staining that returns within days of cleaning

Mouldy grout: fix or replace?

Surface mould can be cleaned, and better ventilation stops it returning. Mould that has grown into the grout itself rarely cleans out fully. Raking out the old joints and regrouting with a fresh, ideally more water resistant grout restores the look. Pair it with a working extractor, otherwise the problem comes back.

Signs the tiles need replacing

Tap tiles gently with a knuckle. A dull, hollow sound means the adhesive has let go. A tile that rocks, a bulge in the wall, or a soft patch near the tray tells you water has reached the backing. At that point the honest answer is to strip the area, repair or replace the board, tank it and retile.

Bathroom regrouting cost compared with retiling

Regrouting is mostly labour: raking out, cleaning, regrouting and resealing. It costs far less than retiling, which adds removal, preparation, waterproofing and new tiles. The cheaper job is only good value if the tiles and wall are genuinely sound, which is what we check first.

Do not forget the silicone

Internal corners and the joint along the bath or tray should be silicone, not grout, because those joints move. Replacing tired silicone at the same time as regrouting finishes the job properly.

Choosing a grout that lasts

Not all grout is the same. Standard cement grout is fine on most walls, while more water resistant or epoxy based grouts suit busy showers and floors. A mid tone colour hides everyday marks far better than brilliant white. Whatever type is used, the joints must be fully packed and the tiles cleaned off properly, or the surface will look patchy and wear early.

Allow the new grout to cure fully before the shower is used, following the maker's guidance.

When to ask for a survey

If you have regrouted before and the problem has come back, or you can see staining on a ceiling below, it is time for a proper look rather than another surface fix. We will tell you honestly whether the tiles are worth keeping.