A client recently reached out to me regarding a shower-room refresh in their tenement flat located in Edinburgh. The job involved restoring the stained grout between their ceramic wall tiles and replacing the mouldy silicone sealant around the shower area.
Over time, the grout had become heavily discoloured, and the silicone sealant was showing signs of mould growth—both common issues in older properties. The customer had seen my previous work and read my positive reviews online, which gave them the confidence to get in touch. After receiving photos of the bathroom, I was able to assess the job remotely and provide an accurate quote, which helped save time for the client. Fortunately, I had availability, allowing the work to be completed before a scheduled boiler installation in their kitchen.
Deep Cleaning and Preparing Grout for Colouring
To begin, I sprayed the tiled surfaces with a solution from Tile Doctor, an effective cleaner for removing soap scum, grime, and mould from grout and tile surfaces. Although this removed most of the surface dirt, some areas of the grout remained deeply stained and would require further treatment.
Rather than completely re-grouting, which can be time-consuming, potentially cause damage to tile edges and quite costly, I opted for a more efficient solution: applying an epoxy grout colourant. This not only restores the appearance but also seals the grout, making it resistant to future staining.
Before recolouring, I applied a grout pre-treater to help the colourant bond properly. After scrubbing it into the joints and allowing it to work for about 10 minutes, I rinsed the area thoroughly with water.
Removing and Replacing Mouldy Silicone Sealant
Next, I removed all the old silicone from around the shower, and corner joints. This step is crucial, as any remaining silicone can affect adhesion and the final look. Once the area was fully cleaned, I applied fresh white mould-resistant silicone sealant, specifically formulated for bathrooms and wet areas.
Applying White Epoxy Grout Colourant
With the grout dry and prepped, I used a small detailing brush to apply a White Epoxy Grout Colourant along all the grout lines. Care was taken to clean off any excess product from the tiles using baby wipes, which are excellent for this type of clean-up. Only one bottle of colourant was required for the entire bathroom.
Final Result: A Like-New Bathroom Finish
The final phase of the project involved reapplying the silicone sealant along all areas the silicone had been removed from, ensuring a watertight and hygienic finish. The combination of recoloured grout and new silicone transformed the overall look of the bathroom—giving it a bright, fresh appearance that looked as though the tiles had just been installed.
The epoxy grout colourant not only improved the visual appearance but also acts as a protective barrier, making the grout lines more resistant to dirt and easier to maintain over time.
Services Provided:
- Grout cleaning and recolouring
- Silicone sealant removal and replacement
If you’re based in Edinburgh or elsewhere in Central Scotland and need professional help with shower and bathroom grout restoration or silicone replacement, feel free to get in touch. I provide a quality, reliable service with lasting results.
