Menu

Restoring old picture frames


About Me

Restoring old picture frames

I love how much work went into old picture frames. They often told as much of a story as the picture inside. I see lots of frames in my business that have not been treated well, that have been stored badly in sheds or sat in rooms with smoke building up on them for years. It's great to be able to get the frames back to their glory days and let their beauty shine on through. If you are looking to do some restoration of your own, my site has a collection of the tips and tricks I've learnt over the years to get the best effects.

Chipping Grout? Undertake DIY Tile Re-grouting in 3 Simple Steps

Chipping grout on your kitchen and bathroom tiles is more common than you think, because these two rooms are most susceptible to heat and moisture. If you discover worn out grout and tile loosening, then it's perhaps time to undertake the process of re-grouting. This simple DIY task is easier than you think, as long as you have the right materials. You will need pre-mixed grout, water grout sealer, a utility knife, a plastering trowel, a chisel, a vacuum and a sponge –– all of which can easily be purchased from a home improvement store. Once you've got your materials, follow these simple re-grouting steps for your wall or floor tiles.

Remove Old Grout Carefully

Your first step is to remove your old and chipping grout as carefully as possible so you don't end up damaging the tiles. With a utility knife, pry out the loosened grout in the tile joints. While the adhesive holds the tiles together, try not to use excessive force, as the tiles may get knocked loose. Clean the dirt and loosened grout with a vacuum. Ensure that no grout is left in the joints before the re-grouting process.

Apply Pre-Mixed Grout Paste to the Tile Joints

There are plenty of ready pre-mixed grout pastes available at local stores to make the process of tile re-grouting simple for homeowners. You may need to mix some water into the grout to get the desired elasticity. Standard grout comes in grey, brown or white colours for a complementary or contrasting effect. Once you have carefully selected your grout paste, start applying it along the tile joints with a chisel and pack it well into the open spaces –– leaving no room for air bubbles to form. Use a plastering trowel to smooth the grout into place for an immaculate finish. Remove the excess grout that spills on the tiles with a sponge and let the grout dry for a few hours before applying the sealer.

Apply Grout Sealer

Purchase a water-based grout sealer that matches your grout colour for a neat finish to your tiles. The sealer elongates the lifespan of grout by penetrating through it to protect and reduce the damage caused by moisture and heat. Most water-based grout sealers have a brush connected to the bottle for easy application. Alternatively, you can use a normal paintbrush to apply the sealer on the grout lines. Apply the grout sealer along the joints, but take care to remove it from the tiled surface so you don't ruin the glazed effect of your existing tiles. Let the sealer dry and your tiles will look as good as new.

The process of re-grouting is simple when you follow these easy steps. However, if you don't have time, don't feel confident in your abilities, or just don't want to worry about it, contact a company like Regrout Services.