Tiles last for decades, but the grout between them and the occasional tile that cracks or comes loose do not. Grout that has turned dark grey or black, cracked and crumbling grout lines in the shower, a hollow-sounding floor tile that rocks underfoot, a chipped tile where something heavy was dropped, or a missing tile behind where the old vanity used to be: these are the tiling problems that make a bathroom or kitchen look tired, and some of them let water get where it should not. Tile repairs and regrouting are a regular part of our work in Dandenong and the surrounding suburbs.

Our tiling service focuses on repairs and small tiling jobs: replacing damaged tiles, regrouting, re-fixing loose tiles, splashbacks and small areas. Full bathroom renovations, new waterproofing and large floor tiling projects are best handled by a specialist tiler or renovation builder, and we will say so if your job is better suited to them.

Tile repairs we carry out

• Replacing cracked, chipped and broken wall and floor tiles
• Re-fixing loose and drummy (hollow-sounding) tiles
• Raking out and regrouting shower walls and floors
• Regrouting kitchen and laundry splashbacks and benchtop edges
• Replacing crumbling and missing grout on floors
• Cleaning and sealing grout
• Grout colour refreshing with grout colourants
• Tiling small splashbacks behind sinks, cooktops and laundry tubs
• Tiling small areas after a fixture has been moved or removed
• Replacing broken tile trims and edge strips
• Repairing tiled steps and entry tiles

Regrouting: why and when

What grout does

Grout fills the joints between tiles, locks them in place and stops dirt and water from getting behind them. It is not waterproof on its own. Behind the tiles in a shower, a waterproof membrane does the real job of keeping water out of the walls and floor. But cracked, missing or porous grout lets water soak behind the tiles much more readily, putting extra strain on the membrane and the tile adhesive.

Signs grout needs replacing

• Grout that is cracked, crumbling or missing in places
• Dark staining and mould that does not clean out
• Gaps where grout has washed out, especially low on shower walls
• Tiles that have started to move or sound hollow
• Water stains or damp patches on the other side of a shower wall

How we regrout

We rake out the old grout to a consistent depth using grout saws and an oscillating tool, taking care not to chip tile edges. The joints are vacuumed and cleaned, then new grout is packed in firmly, tooled to a neat finish and the tile surface cleaned. Once cured, the grout can be sealed to resist staining and mould. In showers, we replace the silicone in internal corners and at the junction with the floor and bath at the same time, because those joints must be flexible rather than grouted. See our silicone and caulking page.

Replacing a cracked or broken tile

Matching the tile

The hardest part of replacing a single tile is often finding a match. Many homes have a few spare tiles in the garage or under the house from the original job, so check before we come. If not, we can take the broken tile to tile stores for matching, but older ranges are often discontinued. Where an exact match cannot be found, a contrasting feature tile, or swapping a tile from a hidden area such as under the vanity or behind the fridge, can be good solutions.

Removing the damaged tile

We cut out the grout around the damaged tile, then break the tile carefully from the centre outward to avoid damaging neighbouring tiles. The old adhesive is scraped back so the new tile sits flush.

Fitting and finishing

The new tile is set in fresh adhesive, levelled with its neighbours, left to cure, then grouted to match the surrounding joints.

Drummy and loose tiles

Tapping a floor with a coin or the handle of a screwdriver reveals hollow-sounding, or drummy, tiles. A few drummy tiles on a floor are common and not always a problem, but tiles that rock, crack or lift need attention. Causes include poor adhesive coverage when laid, movement in the floor, moisture getting under the tiles, and on concrete slabs, ground movement on reactive clay soil. Loose tiles can often be lifted, cleaned up and re-laid. Where a large area is drummy, or tiles are lifting into a tented ridge, the floor may need relaying by a tiler.

Leaking showers: a word of caution

If there is water damage on the wall behind a shower, a damp skirting board outside the bathroom, or a musty smell, the shower may be leaking. Sometimes regrouting and resealing stop a leak caused by failed grout and silicone. But if the waterproof membrane underneath has failed, regrouting will not fix it, and the shower needs to be stripped and rewaterproofed. In Victoria, waterproofing in wet areas is part of building work regulated by the Victorian Building Authority, and should be done by a qualified tradesperson. We will be honest about what we see. Regrouting and resealing are worthwhile first steps for minor leaks, but they are not a substitute for a new membrane when the old one has failed. Any plumbing leaks from pipes or tapware need a licensed plumber.

Small tiling jobs

We tile small splashbacks behind kitchen sinks, cooktops and laundry tubs, and tile small areas such as a hearth, a window sill or the space left after removing a fixture. Splashbacks are one of the most effective ways to refresh a kitchen or laundry without a renovation. We set out the tiles so cuts are balanced and neat, fit trims on exposed edges, and silicone the junction with the benchtop.

Grout cleaning and sealing

If the grout is sound but stained, a deep clean may be all it needs. We clean grout with suitable cleaners and brushes, then apply a penetrating grout sealer that helps resist staining and mould. Grout colourants can also give stained grout a uniform, fresh colour, which works well on floors where full regrouting is not necessary.

Asbestos in older tiled areas

Some bathrooms and kitchens in homes built before 1990 have asbestos cement sheeting behind the tiles, and some older floor tiles and adhesives may contain asbestos. If we suspect asbestos, we stop and recommend testing before any tiles are removed.

Tile problems by room

Showers

Showers take more water and more cleaning chemicals than any other tiled surface, and grout there wears fastest. The lower rows of wall tiles and the shower floor take the worst of it. Grout in the corners cracks because the walls move slightly, which is why corners should be siliconed rather than grouted. Black mould in shower grout is common in bathrooms with poor ventilation; regrouting with a mould-resistant grout and improving airflow keeps it away much longer.

Bathroom floors

Floor grout in older bathrooms is often stained dark around the toilet and in traffic paths. Cracked floor tiles near the toilet or vanity can be a sign of movement in the floor, or of a leak that has softened a timber subfloor. We check the floor feels solid before replacing tiles, because new tiles on a soft floor will crack again.

Kitchens

Splashback grout behind cooktops collects grease and discolours, and grout along benchtops breaks down where water from the sink splashes. Kitchen floor tiles chip where heavy pans and cans are dropped. Many kitchens in 1980s and 1990s homes around Endeavour Hills and Noble Park North still have original tiles in good order but tired grout, and regrouting alone makes them look years younger.

Laundries

Laundry floors take water from leaking machines and tubs. Tiles near the washing machine can lift if water has been getting under them for a long time. Regrouting and resealing the junction between tub and wall prevents further water damage.

Entries and outdoor areas

Tiled front porches and outdoor areas deal with sun, rain and temperature swings. Tiles crack and lift where the slab underneath moves, and grout erodes. Outdoor tiles need flexible, exterior-rated adhesives and grouts, and expansion joints where large areas are tiled.

Choosing grout

Cement-based grout

The standard choice for most walls and floors. Affordable and easy to work with, it should be sealed in wet areas to resist stains.

Epoxy grout

Highly resistant to stains, chemicals and mould, and does not need sealing. It is more demanding to apply and costs more, but is excellent for showers, kitchen splashbacks and commercial kitchens.

Grout colour

Lighter grout looks crisp but shows stains; mid greys hide everyday dirt well. We help you choose a colour that suits the tile and how the room is used.

Caring for grout after the job

Run the exhaust fan during and after showers, squeegee shower walls after use, and wipe up spills on kitchen grout quickly. Clean with a pH-neutral cleaner rather than harsh bleach or acidic products, which wear grout and sealers over time. Reseal cement grout every year or two in wet areas. With simple care, new grout stays clean and sound for many years, and you will not need to think about regrouting again for a long time.

If you have spare tiles left over after we finish, store them somewhere dry and labelled, so future repairs can be matched easily.

Areas we cover

We repair tiles and regrout across our service areas, including Springvale, Noble Park, Doveton and Dandenong North.

Related services

Tiling repairs go hand in hand with silicone and caulking, bathroom fixtures and accessories, kitchen and cupboard repairs and end-of-lease repairs.

Frequently asked questions