If your grouting is discoloured or mouldy you should replace your grouting. However you may want to change your grouting if it is a bad colour or if it was done badly in the first place.

Replacing grouting is an undesirable task. However, armed with the right tools and some basic knowledge you can make sure that you won’t have to spend longer than necessary and achieve a good finish at the same time.

Before starting try cleaning the tiles and grout, you may find that discolouration or black mould will be removed instantly. Any leaks must be stopped before doing any grouting or it is likely you’ll have to do it all over again. If your wall has brown mould it is likely that water is leaking through from behind.

Any pointed tool should be suitable to remove the grout although a specialist grout rake will complete the job much faster than most other tools if you choose to buy one. However, a simple nail will be able to the same job if you are willing to spend more time grouting.

1) Use a pointed tool to scratch out existing grout. Remove at least 2mm. However, slightly deeper is preferable.

2) Use a damp cloth to clean off the area, if the surface is slightly damp the new grout will adhere better. Check that you have removed an even amount of grout from the surface.

3) Re-grout the tiles. Make sure you have chosen the right product, choose the colour carefully. Apply the grout to the grooves using a suitable tool: a squeegee, grout float or a plastic scraper should be fine. Spread the grout evenly and gently wipe a wet finger over it to smooth it out.

4) Let the grout dry. Unless you have bought non-shrinking grout then it is likely that it will shrink and leave gaps around the edges. This is common and you may need to apply another layer of grout.

5) When dried you will need to apply a grout sealer to ensure that the new grout will not become stained or wet at a later date.

The main thing you will need when grouting is patience. Keep trying and you will be able to finish the job to a good standard.

Any tools required for this task can be bought from toolbox. They provide a wide variety of tools and equipment.

http://www.toolbox.co.uk

With bathroom accessories made from brilliant stainless steel, sparkling porcelain, and shimmering glass, a German company called Blomus is setting a new standard in home decor. Blomus bath products feature Euro-inspired designs and timeless quality, ranging from spa-inspired Ambience Fragrances to Wastepaper Baskets. Interior designers around the globe are big fans of the company’s graceful interpretations of ordinarily mundane bathroom accessories; their stylish takes on the toilet paper holder and the paper towel holder, both in stainless steel, are built to last and catch the eye at the same time.

Elegant Solutions, Endless Possibilities

The Blomus philosophy is based upon combining simple function and beautiful materials to create designs that enhance your everyday experience while harmonizing form and function. Soap dishes never looked so good; a wall-mounted stainless steel soap dispenser has inspired many a designer to find new ways to outfit a bathroom vanity (the same goes for the company’s cosmetic mirrors.) Their variations on the toilet brush (or what is more modestly known as a “water closet brush”) is perhaps the most attractive of its kind, and is built to last.

The Duo line features a variety of stunning bathroom accessories, including a glass and stainless steel toothbrush holder that’s redefines the form, and a variety of clothing hooks that are far from ordinary. The Primo line features delightfully attractive variations on the towel bar and towel rail that might make you think twice before you hang anything on them! Add a couple of glass shelves for an elegant solution to any bathroom’s space limitations. Even the smallest bathroom details surpass the rest when they’re produced by Blomus.

Simply put, when planning a bath or powder room remodel, consider this: Blomus products add that final finishing touch that distinguishes a room of exceptional beauty apart from one that is merely serviceable. When decorating your bath or powder room, with Blomus accessories, the possibilities are endless.

I am a freelance writer who likes to write about home decor and remodeling.
More About Blomus Bathroom Accessories

There are many home remodeling projects, but one of the most valuable in terms of increasing the value of the home is the bathroom remodeling job. Remodeling an aging bathroom can have a great many benefits, both in terms of livability and in terms of home value, but it is important to do the job the right way.

Start with proper planning

The great bathroom remodel starts with proper planning, and it is important to plan the project properly in order to have it turn out how you want. One priority, and unfortunately one that is often overlooked, is to obtain all the necessary permits from local and county governments. It is important to notify the township and other authorities of your plans, as failure to do so could leave you with a big fine o pay.

Another part of planning is to draw up a good set of architectural plans. A good set of plans will be a great help when hiring a contractor, and it will help the contractor more easily visualize the finished bathroom. If architectural drawings are beyond your abilities, a quick drawing, or even a set of photos from the architectural magazine you have been using as your guide, can be a good substitute.

Remember the utilities

Remodeling the bathroom may require moving utilities, and it is important to let the contractor know where the water lines are located, and which lines may need to be moved. It is important to know that structural changes may be needed in order to reroute water lines, or to bring in plumbing, electricity or telephone lines.

Start with a good foundation

The floor of the bathroom is one of the most important considerations, since the bathroom floor gets much more of a workout than the floor of most other rooms. The most durable of all bathroom floors is stone or ceramic tile. When properly installed, stone or ceramic tile will last a lifetime.

Of course the expense of stone and ceramic tile, coupled with the difficulty of installing it properly, puts it off limits to many homeowners. Vinyl flooring can be a good and more cost effective substitute for stone and ceramic tile. Vinyl is durable, and easy to clean, and it is comfortable, quiet and skid resistant as well.

No matter what type of flooring you choose for your bathroom remodel, it is important to install it properly. Improperly installed flooring will not last, and the last thing you want to do is end up doing is remodeling that bathroom all over again in just a few years.

Brooke Sikula is a freelance writer based in Ventura, CA and writes on a wide range of topics from home improvement to credit repair and everything in between. She is a regular contributor to http://www.get-home-improvement.com and http://www.credit-card-faq.com

For more information and advice on home improvement projects, check out http://www.home-improvement4u.com