Re-Doing the Bathroom

Well, whenever you have a project that you don't like what to do, what's the easiest way of getting it done?  Just do it!  I learned a couple of days ago that I had used bad grout for my Master Bathroom tile project.  So it all had to come up.

The grout never cured properly.

But I had an inkling that it might not be as hard to get up as good grout.  And, wow, was it the easiest grout removal project ever.  Knowing I could turn the grout to powder with my bare finger, I decided to just grab a small-blade flat screwdriver and push it along the grout.

The grout just crumbled when pushed against.

The entire bathroom was un-grouted in seven minutes!

The grout literally came up with little effort!  Just a slight push on it, and it undid itself!  I had the entire bathroom un-grouted in seven minutes!  No joke!  Now, I did go back through with a a vacuum, a brush, and a set of eyes to check all the stragglers that tried to stick to the tile, but it was a quick project!

Once again, the tiles are ready for grout.

I have seen this somewhere before...

All ready for grout!

Grout is supposed to be like concrete!  This was like sugar.

The grout turned to powder.

I removed the toilet (again!) and cleaned up the grout underneath the stool.

Then I vacuumed, brushed, and inspected some more.  And after a good cleaning, I applied new grout.  I had purchased a new box.  What's crazy is that I went to three stores after seeing the price on the box from five years ago!  Grout has gone up 50% in five years!  But I needed it.  I chose Delorean Gray (who doesn't like a dose of Back to the Future in their home renovation projects?!).

I mixed the grout the exact same way, waited the exact same amount of time, and applied the exact same way.  The only difference I noted was in how it cleaned up off of the tiles after application.  This grout dried so much quicker for whatever reason.  But other than that, I did the exact same thing!

The grout all mixed up!

The start of Grout Project #2!

Almost done!

It's a lighter color, and I think I like it more.

All cleaned up and HOPEFULLY in the process of curing!

After grouting the Master Bathroom, I prepped the Main Bathroom for tiles tomorrow.  I scrubbed the black mold area once again, then let that dry.  I then cut out a new piece of luan for underneath the new tiles.  I then added a layer of linoleum on top in order to bring the "old" floor back up to the height of the actual old floor.  That way I have a smooth surface for the tiles tomorrow.

No more mold!  Ready to be built back up.

A new piece of luan added.

All secured and ready for linoleum.

A new piece of linoleum was added to raise the height of the floor to match the rest of the old floor.

Another day forward.  I will find out pretty soon how this new grout sets up!  But I'm feeling optimistic.