Eliminating Grout is a special, small-scale demolition project that requires specialized tools. Because tiles should remain in place during grout removal, a slip can only break a tile or break its enamel. To avoid damaging the surrounding surfaces during grout removal, grout strip professionals with power tools and manual specific task tools. Grout removal equipment is available in the average home improvement store and, with the right set of tools, you can replace your grout without sacrificing your tile.
Chisel and Mallet
Almost any chisel will cut the grout as long the tip fits into the grout line. However, using sharp chisels to remove grout, such as wood chisels, will simply ruin the chisel edge. Chisel of a narrow mason and a hammer effectively pulls grout from a tiled surface. On the other hand, many builders use a flat head screwdriver to remove the grout in a pinch. Although a hammer may be replaced by a hammer, metal-headed hammers tend to chisel butts to warp and break screwdriver handles.
Carbide Grout Remover, brushes
The carbide-tipped grout remover, also called a grout removal tool, is similar to a knife with an offset, protruding blade. Unlike the half-blade, the grout removal Tool has grit-carbide-coated abrasives. To use a grout removal tool, you simply rub the tool's abrasive sheet along a grout line. The blade scrapes, pulls and removes grout. Grout removal tools are often used in conjunction with hard bristle brushes. While the grout removal tool removes most of the grout, the wire brush eliminates residual bits and grout bits.
Manual Rotary Tools
Portable rotary tools are similar sized power tools in shape to a dentist's drill. Hand rotating tools rotate a variety of attachment cutting, drilling and grinding, including attachments remove specially designed grout. Grout Removal Tool fits directly into the thin space between adjacent tiles and quickly turns to grind the grout away without damaging the tiles. Portable rotary tools offer an effective method of eliminating grout from thin grout lines, in corners and areas that are difficult to access.
Grinders and circular saws
For large projects involving thick grout lines, tile workers often use angular grinders or circular saws to remove grout. Equipped with masonry knives, standard angle grinders and circular saws are able to remove grout from grout lines. Sets the depth of the cutting tool to a grouting dimension without damaging the tiled surface substrate and running the tool blade that rotates through the grout line.