Though ceramic tile surfaces can be beautiful and durable, the Achilles heel of tile is grout. Unlike tile, grout can stain and discolor with spills and everyday wear. And because grout is a rigid, cement-like material, it can crack with even slight movement in walls or floors—minor settling or ordinary deflection caused by something as innocent as jumping on a floor or filling up a bathtub. Most cracks start tiny and grow wider, deeper, and longer over time. Eventually, cracked grout lets water seep through and damage the substrate or the home’s structure.

Caulking compound, used to seal tile around sink bowls and bathtubs, can be a problem, too. Though new tub-and-tile caulk is flexible, older caulk may become brittle, discolor with stains, or peel away from the surface.

Fortunately, anybody who can spread toothpaste on a toothbrush can caulk a sink or tub. Regrouting is a bit more challenging but within reach even for beginning do-it-yourselfers.

However, if, after looking over the following information, regrouting looks like a job you would rather leave to a pro, the best way is to ask a local tile supplier for recommendations. It’s advisable to get at least a couple of estimates.

Clean your grout as it needs it. There is no way to completely prevent grout stains, but you can minimize visible stains by selecting natural grout colors because they offer better hiding. Applying a grout sealer helps protect grout from staining; grout should be resealed after a thorough cleaning every two or three years. Renew caulking around tubs and sinks annually.

Recaulking

1. Using a utility knife, cut the seal and pull away all old caulk from the joint around the sink or bathtub. Clean out the crevice thoroughly to ensure good adhesion of the new caulking compound.

2. Apply a smooth, even bead of high-quality silicone tub-and-tile caulk around the sink bowl or bathtub’s perimeter. Holding the caulking tube at an angle, draw it along the crack, applying a single bead about the size of a pencil (avoid doubling back over the bead). Be sure to completely fill the crack.

3. Smooth out the bead with your finger and then carefully wipe off the excess with a damp rag. Allow the caulk to dry.

Cleaning Grout

1. Buy a pH-neutral tile-cleaning solution from a tile store. Wearing rubber gloves, mix it according to the label’s directions. Pour it onto floors or other horizontal surfaces and brush it onto walls or vertical surfaces using a relatively soft bristle scrub brush (do not use a wire brush). Don’t use cleansers that contain bleach because it may lighten the grout’s color (unless your grout is white white). For colored grout, test your cleanser in an inconspicuous place.

2. Using the brush, thoroughly scrub all grout lines and surfaces.

3. Use a sponge to rinse the surface with clear water to remove the solution. Once it becomes wet, grout darkens, hiding stains, so mop or sop up the wetness with a rag and allow the grout to dry. Repeat scrubbing with the cleaning solution if necessary. For really tough stains, consult your local tile dealer for a stronger cleanser.

Regrouting

1. Cut away old grout and caulking compound around the tub using a utility knife. Clean away dirt and debris with a soft-bristle brush, being careful not to scratch the tub’s finish. Between tiles, use a grout saw to cut away any cracked or loose grout and to score stable grout.

2. Fill the tub about three-quarters full of water to weight it down so the grout won’t crack when you fill the tub later. Then, wearing latex gloves to protect your hands from the caustic lime that is an ingredient of grout, mix up the new matching grout in a bucket according to label directions.

3. Using a rubber grout float, apply grout along the joint between the tub and the wall, working it deep into the crevice. Hold the rubber grout float’s leading edge up at a slight angle.

4. Apply grout to the field tiles’ joints with a rubber grout float; use your finger to smooth the grout.

5. Allow the grout to set up slightly. With a damp sponge, wipe off the excess from the surface of the tile and tub. After the grout dries, drain the tub. Allow the grout to completely set up for several days and then apply grout sealer with a sponge brush for protection. If small cracks develop between the tub and the wall, caulk the joint.