Replacing Tile Grout

Tom Kraeutler asks,

I just finished laying down ceramic tile on my kitchen floor. Once the grout was down, my wife and I decided we don't like the color. I would hate the work, not to mention the mess, of having to remove the old grout and put down new. Am I able to grout over what's there with a different color?

Our Answer

Changing the color of your grout is a big job. I'd give it some time to get used to the color of your grout. Considering how new this ceramic tile floor project is, perhaps you are just suffering from the home improvement version of buyer's remorse.

This happened to me recently when I chose a sand textured paint color based on a swatch. I swore it was gold but when it went up, it looked green! After the shock wore off, I decided I liked the paint color and have subsequently matched new furniture and accessories for the room based on the paint color.

If you do want to change the grout, you have two options: removal or dyeing. If you want to remove the grout, I'd recommend a handy tool called The Grout Grabber (see photo). The Grout Grabber attaches to most reciprocating saws and allows you to grind out the old grout.

Dyeing the grout is the other option. I'd suggest an epoxy based dye for maximum adhesion to the old grout.

But again, I'd give it some time to get used to the color of your grout. You might end up liking the grout, and save yourself a boatload of work!