Give your tile a facelift with new grout

Tile lasts a long time, but the grout is another story. It can become stained and cracked over time. You can give that wall or floor a facelift by just scraping out the old grout and replacing it.

It's an inexpensive way to give your bathroom or kitchen a fresh, new look. Let's get started.

The first thing to consider is you will need to select the grout. If you are doing just part of a room, then you need to match what the rest of the grout looks like. If you are doing the whole room, then it's your choice. There are a couple of types of grout, so also consider that when picking it out.

A sanded grout is for spaces wider than inch. Most of the time, marble and other tiles that are easily scratched will have thin lines so you don't have to use sanded grout. If your tiles are delicate like these but have wide gaps, use unsanded, no matter how wide the gaps are.

Some grouts are more resistant to mildew and stains, and might be a better choice for kitchens and bathrooms.

To remove the grout, use a grout saw or a rotary tool with the special bits designed to scrape out the grout. Always be careful not to grind or chip the tiles along the edges.

Once you have all the grout out, vacuum and clean the dust and loose material from the joints, and make sure everything is clean before installing the new grout.

Mix your grout, if it's not already prepared, and use a rubber float to spread it into the joints. Go across the tiles to install the grout, and make sure to cover every gap. Wipe as much excess grout from the tile face as you can, but avoid pushing it too far down into the joints. You can use a specialized tool to get the joints smooth and even if you want.

Once the grout has set up and everything is clean and looks good, apply a grout sealer to keep it looking good for a long time.

Add luxury to a room

Looking rich is almost as good as being rich, but without the big tax bite. Adding molding to a wall will really give it a rich look. Sound like a tough job? You can do it the easy way. Shop for plain, wooden frames that you can attach directly to the wall with brads or glue. A series of frames, spaced out along the bottom half of a wall, will look like it was installed by the pros when painted to match. This same treatment works great on doors, too.

Steppingstones

Watch your step … steppingstone, that is. These stones are great for certain spots in the yard. We have them next to outdoor faucets, pool maintenance areas and other spots where mud or dirt can be an issue. Most are simple, concrete squares that don't cost a lot of money. But you can customize them with paint, tiles, shells, rocks and other materials. Just use clear silicon sealant to apply the materials. This will act as a water-resistant adhesive. Use outdoor grout if the gaps are wide. Take a step to get creative and have a little fun!

Super hints

Ÿ Oven exhaust filters get caked with grease and are hard to clean. Put them in your dishwasher when running a full load, and let it do all the work. You might have to run them through a couple of cycles, but they should look a whole lot better when you are finished.

Ÿ With paintbrushes, like so many other things, you get what you pay for. I go ahead and spend a little extra when I have to replace a paintbrush. I've learned that the hard way. One thing I always do when I'm finished cleaning my brushes is give them a final wash in shampoo and conditioner. The shampoo gets all of the solvent and other cleaners out of the bristles, and the conditioner softens them so they will be ready and like new again when I need them next.

Ÿ You will be much better off if you take a door down and lay it flat to paint it. Also, don't forget to paint the edges, all the way around. This will prevent moisture from getting into the wood and causing it to swell later on.

Q. We need your advice. After a water leak was repaired, we have a section of drywall that is flaking off. What do we need to do to fix the problem?

A. You really need to take out the damaged drywall and replace it. Cut out all of the part that was wet, clean for mold behind the wall and let it dry completely before replacing the drywall. Tape and bed it, then add texture and paint.

Q. Our water supply has a high mineral content, and it has always caused problems for us. I really need to find a way to clean my dishwasher. I can see the grit inside it, and, more and more, I see it building up on the dishes. What will cut this crud?

A. You should know that vinegar is a super mineral-deposit cutter and can be used in most appliances to cut through this crud. Dilute it if you need to, and wear gloves to protect your hands. For a dishwasher, as well as a toilet, pour a small bottle into the unit, and run it through a short wash cycle while empty of dishes. This should knock off most of it. Use a dishwashing soap that has a water softener, or “spot-preventer,” built in.

Q. Well, now I've done it. I accidentally left a caulking gun out, with caulk in it, and it leaked all over the back patio. My wife is furious with me. I was able to pull some of it up with my hands, but there still is a lot of it slopped on the concrete. I just don't know what else to do. I don't want to ruin the patio, or my marriage! How can I get this stuff off the surface?

A. Your best bet is going to be to try a series of things. Use a razor or utility knife to cut off as much of it as you can. Be careful not to cut yourself in the process. Then use a good paint scraper for the rest of it. If you still have some left, you can try a gel paint stripper. Good luck, and be more careful next time!

Reader tips

Ÿ I have a great tip for you and your readers. When I get paint on my hands or on some other surfaces, I use WD-40 to get it off. Just a squirt of the stuff on your hands gets the paint right off. Don't use it on wood or other porous surfaces, but it's great on many things. It really works well.

Ÿ I installed some foam insulation panels on the wall between my office and my garage attic. It had some insulation, but it always seemed too cold along that wall. The foam panels really seem to make a difference, so I feel like it was money well spent. I had some leftovers, and have found that they make great bulletin boards for areas around the house. My wife uses one in her sewing room, and both of the kids have one in their rooms. I even put one up in my shop. They are great as is, but I guess you could paint them or something like that.

Ÿ We installed a theater seating group along with our big-screen television in the den. Before we installed the carpet, we did a little research and found that if we put a layer of cork on the floor before the padding and carpet, the cork would dampen the sound a little bit. It did more than that. The room is very well insulated from noise, and the cost was minimal. Great advice for anyone else doing this project inside their home.

Ÿ Our granite countertops are really nice. They seem to be impervious to just about everything, and we've had them in heavy use for several years now. One thing that did happen was an oily stain that occurred. After reading up on this problem and talking to several installers, we found a poultice mix that you can buy from kitchen-countertop installers and some hardware stores. Apply this to the stain and let it set on top and draw out the oil. It worked really well on our stain, and it might just work on yours, too.

Ÿ Last fall, we had trouble opening our windows. Before closing them for the season, I cleaned the frames and tracks really well, and even smeared some petroleum jelly around the edges where they slide. I opened and closed them a few times to lubricate them, and just opened them up for the first time last week. They all operated just like new. That little bit of extra maintenance last fall will make this spring a breeze!

Shop talk

Ÿ Sitting in the “hot seat” isn't so bad. In fact, the Chaheati is rather nice. It looks like a standard fold-up camping chair but has a built-in, battery-operated heating system with four settings, and can provide up to six hours of heat. What a great idea for outdoor activities of all kinds! Check it out at www.chaheati.com and see for yourself. It comes in a couple of different colors, and you can even buy extra batteries as well as a handy, 12-volt car charger.

Ÿ Would you be more amenable to decorating if it was a simple peel-and-stick process? RoomMates is just that, and it comes in tons of patterns for just about any decor. It's perfect for kids' rooms, offices, game rooms and your home. You can buy everything from small stickers to full-size murals, and there even are chalkboards, dry-erase boards and mirrors available. Best of all, you can change them in seconds. Go to www.roommatespeelandstick.com and see for yourself how easy it is to do this and to find a local dealer.

Ÿ Write to Al and Kelly Carrell in care of the Daily Herald, P.O. Box 280, Arlington Heights, IL 60006 or visit the Carrells' website at thesuperhandyman.com.

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