What tool removes grout

If you are looking for a multi-purpose DIY tool for everything from home improvement to hobbies, this is your tool. However, its fatal flaw is its size.

It is so small, that a large area of work will take a large amount of time. And if you need to change the blades, you have to use a chuck key like on a power drill. There are variables with all tools that make them the right one for the job.

Things like:. Speed of motor and variable speed options Power of motor and level of vibration Versatility of the unit Size of the unit Ease of switching blades when one breaks or becomes ineffective That is why picking the right tool is of paramount importance to the task at hand.

Choose a tool with too high of an RPM and your tile shatters from the vibrations, choose one that is too low and the grout just laughs at you. What is the application?

We know you are removing grout, but were, and how big are the tiles, and how long have they been in place? All of these variables factor into which tool is best. If you are removing tile and grout that has been in place for many years, then the more powerful options are the best bet.

Just make sure you have the best blades available because cheap ones will not work here. If you are swapping out the tiles in your shower and your home is only a few years old, a less powerful tool, or a variable speed tool that has a lower setting will work perfectly. The grout is like cement, but just like cement, it becomes more hardened with age.

Grout that is only a few years old has some give in it. So, a lighter touch is fine. After you figure out where the grout is being removed from, picking the right power source is next on the list. The options are:. Where you are planning to do the work will help determine what power source you need, given what you have at your disposal. Price is also a factor. Buying a grout remover , or any multi-tool that can be used as a grout remover, is an investment.

But remember, you get what you pay for. If you need replacement blades, sanding wheels, etc. If you are a brand-loyalty kind of DIYer, then there are always replacement options through your local home improvement store or online marketplace. However, if you love your model of grout remover, and the blades are always a little shoddy, it might be time to reconsider where your loyalty lies.

It had the right history of quality units, the right construction, the right level of versatility, and the durability that will make it last for plenty of years removing grout. The best option for the price was the GALAX PRO Oscillating tool , which had many of the features a grout removal professional wants, with a price point they will love. A very economical choice, and a great unit to have, even if you have never heard of the brand before now. When the batteries are toast in your devices, do you throw them unashamedly in the trash, or feel bad for two minutes then throw them.

Pete Ortiz Last updated: Jan 10 We have some reviews of top grout removal tools that might help. Check Latest Price. Powerful 5-amp motor Compact size Push-down mechanism to remove tool heads Long cord Carry bag. Expensive Short warranty. Make an incision down the middle of each grout line using a grout saw, preferably one with a carbide blade.

Do this to all the grout lines that you want to remove. Remove the grout. Remove the grout from between the pieces of tile with a grout scraper, using the incision as a starting point. You can use the drill bit on both floor and wall tiles without damaging the underlying floorboards or drywall. You don't need to remove all the grout , or even most of it, but removing the dirty grout on the surface gives the new grout something to which to bond.

After all , grout primarily is just cement. Use warm water and wipe it over the surface of the tiles with a sponge. Then using some fine wire wool, rub gently over the grout which will begin to dissolve and rub off at the same time. Once the tile is clean and has no more hardened grout , wipe over with a damp cloth and leave to dry. While it's possible to apply new grout over existing grout , the results are usually less than satisfactory. Once you've removed the old grout , vacuum up any remaining loose grout and dust before applying new grout to the tile.

Use a sponge and clean water to remove any excess grout or grout haze on the tile. Mix 1 cup of white granulated sugar into a gallon of hot water. Stir until the sugar fully dissolves. Pour the solution over the grout , or apply it to vertical surfaces with a sponge. Leave the sugar water to soak into the grout for about two hours. To clean grout haze all you need is some simple white distilled vinegar , warm water, a bucket, scrubby sponge, and a mop.

Start by mixing a solution of one part vinegar to four parts warm water in your bucket. The white distilled vinegar should cut through the grout haze with no problem. How to Clean Grout Scrub dirty grout using plain warm water and a stiff-bristled brush. Specifically designed to grind through and remove grout, this carbide blade attachment takes our top spot thanks to its high-speed capabilities.

Its extremely rapid oscillations—tiny side-to-side motions—quickly cut into grout lines between tiles to remove the grout right up to the wall or corner, and it does so neatly, and without much effort from you.

That means a lot less stress on your hands, wrists, and arms. Note that an oscillating blade like this one works best for long lines of grout where you can move quickly along a continuous line, rather than surfaces with a lot of zigs and zags between tiles. With a double blade, the tool acts something like a reciprocating saw, only powered with your own muscle instead of electricity.

The double steel blades include one with deep serrations and one with carbide bits for extra effectiveness. Use both blades in tandem for most projects, but if working with very thin grout lines, you can remove the serrated blade to thin the tool down. Plus, the electric device creates very little grout dust, which is a big plus when working in a bathroom or other low-ventilation area. Use it for removing grout on kitchen counters, backsplashes, vanities, and bathtubs. That can be an issue with many grout removal tools, especially when working in tight spaces.

Instead, reach for the Tile Grout Cleaning Hand Tool, which is easy to use while working on a vertical surface. But what makes it really handy is the attached brush at the opposite end from the blade. That makes it easy to brush away accumulated grout dust while you work; too much dust makes it hard to see the often-tight line of the grout underneath.

The Spyder Grout-Out Multi-Blade is a single-edge cutting attachment that works with any reciprocating saw. Unlike oscillating tools, reciprocating saws work in a back-and-forth motion, providing heavy-duty power to muscle through even large areas of tough grout. Plus, as a general rule, reciprocating blades produce much less dust than most other types of grout-removing tools. Both are made from carbon steel with a carbide grit edge for maximum ability to chew through even tough epoxy or urethane grout.

If you are not just replacing grout, but are also laying a new tile surface, heed the advice of Thomas Hawkins, handyman, master electrician, and owner of Electrician Apprentice HQ , who recommends, "For DIY tiling, get a whisk attachment for your corded or cordless drill so you can properly mix your grout and mortar, be sure to seal your tile when your project is complete, and use a mortar that is self-leveling so you're starting off with a completely flat surface before you set the first piece of tile.

There are a wide variety of tools used to remove grout. The right one for you depends on the size of your job, the amount of time and energy you want to spend, and whether or not you already have suitable power tools on hand. The type of grout is also important; any of the following tools can handle regular unsanded grout, but sanded or epoxy-based grouts are much harder and require equally strong removal tools.

A reciprocating saw with a grout-removal attachment is one of the best ways to attack very tough grout, including sanded or epoxy-based grout. If you just have a small counter or wall to de-grout, a rotary tool with the appropriate attachment will get the job done, albeit much more slowly than a oscillating tool or reciprocating saw.

It will also create quite a bit more dust than either of those options. Still, for small jobs, this is an effective way to remove grout without using your own muscle power.

These one-trick electric tools are basically small grinders designed to wear away grout without a lot of effort. Note that electric grout removers work best on unsanded or sanded grout, but struggle a bit with epoxy-based grout. There are a variety of manual tools designed to chip, scrape, or saw through grout. The two most common designs are a jagged-edged blade attached to a handle, or a screwdriver-shaped device with a triangular or pointed tip.

Whatever you choose, be prepared for a workout, as manual grout removal is a tedious, dusty, and slow job.

Still, these tools are typically quite inexpensive, and if you only need to remove a small area of unsanded grout, this may well be all you need to get the job done. This article is edited and updated by Michelle Ullman , the tool expert for The Spruce. She has extensive experience not only in writing about all things related to the home, but also in carrying out various DIY projects, including landscaping, painting, flooring, wallpapering, furniture makeovers, and simple repairs.