U.S. General Services Administration
Technical Procedures Disclaimer
Prior to inclusion in GSA’s library of procedures, documents are reviewed by one or more qualified preservation specialists for general consistency with the Secretary of Interior Standards for rehabilitating historic buildings as understood at the time the procedure is added to the library. All specifications require project-specific editing and professional judgement regarding the applicability of a procedure to a particular building, project or location. References to products and suppliers are to serve as a general guideline and do not constitute a federal endorsement or determination that a product or method is the best or most current alternative, remains available, or is compliant with current environmental regulations and safety standards. The library of procedures is intended to serve as a resource, not a substitute, for specification development by a qualified preservation professional.
Rewrite
We’ve reviewed these procedures for general consistency with federal standards for rehabilitating historic buildings and provide them only as a reference. Specifications should only be applied under the guidance of a qualified preservation professional who can assess the applicability of a procedure to a particular building, project or location. References to products and suppliers serve as general guidelines and do not constitute a federal endorsement nor a determination that a product or method is the best alternative or compliant with current environmental regulations and safety standards.
PART 1–GENERAL
1.01 SUMMARY
A. This procedure includes guidance on regrouting ceramic tile where the grout is deteriorating, loose or missing.
NOTE: EXTENSIVE REGROUTING OF TILE WORK SHOULD BE DONE BY A SKILLED MASON.
NOTE: WHERE TILE MEETS A DISSIMILAR MATERIAL, CAULK OR SEALANT SHOULD BE USED INSTEAD OF GROUT.
B. See 01100-07-S for general project guidelines to be reviewed along with this procedure. These guidelines cover the following sections:
- Safety Precautions
- Historic Structures Precautions
- Submittals
- Quality Assurance
- Delivery, Storage and Handling
- Project/Site Conditions
- Sequencing and Scheduling
- General Protection (Surface and Surrounding)
These guidelines should be reviewed before performing this procedure and should be followed, when applicable, along with recommendations from the Regional Historic Preservation Officer (RHPO).
PART 2–PRODUCTS
2.01 MANUFACTURERS
A. American-Olean Tile Co.
1000 Cannon Ave.
P.O. Box 271
Lansdale, PA 19446-0271
215/855-1111
B. The Stanley Gold-blatt Tool Co.
511 Osage Ave.
Kansas City, KS 66105-2198
913/621-3010
C. Harrington Tool Co.
P.O. Box 39879
Los Angeles, CA 90039
818/552-4020
D. Marshalltown Trowel Co.
P.O. Box 738
Marshalltown, IA 50158
515/753-5999
2.02 MATERIALS
A. Pre-mixed grout - either Portland Cement or Organic grout. Available from lumber yards or tile supply stores such as American-Olean Tile Co. or U.S. Gypsum Co., or approved equal.
B. Clean, potable water
C. Kraft paper or grocery bags
2.03 EQUIPMENT
A. Dental pick
B. Grout saw (Harrington Tool Co., American-Olean Tile Co.). Also available from hardware stores or home centers.
C. Tile grouting float (Marshalltown Trowel Co., The Stanley Gold-blatt Tool Co.). Also available from hardware stores or home centers, OR window squeegee.
D. Tempered plexiglass jointers - for tooling narrow tile joints. Available in different sizes from building supply stores.
E. Grout bags. Available in two sizes from tile supply stores.
F. Clean natural fiber rags, or sponges
G. Stiff bristle brushes (no iron wire)
H. Goggles
PART 3–EXECUTION
3.01 EXAMINATION
A. Examine the ceramic tile surface carefully to detect the type and cause of staining before proceeding with any cleaning operation.
3.02 ERECTION, INSTALLATION, APPLICATION
A. Remove loose grout using a dental pick and grout saw. Clear the joints to at least 1/8” deep and form a squared-off bottom to receive the grout.
B. Brush out or vacuum loose debris from the joints.
C. Mix grout thoroughly following manufacturers’ instructions.
D. For Portland Cement Grout:
- Dampen joints to receive grout.
- Apply grout using a tile grouters’ float, forcing the grout deep into the joints, or apply by squeezing grout into tile joints through grout bags.
-OR-
For Organic Grout:
- Apply grout using a window squeegee, or apply by squeezing grout into tile joints through grout bags.
E. Wipe off excess grout and allow to set until it feels firm.
F. Clean the tile surface with a damp sponge.
G. Tool joints at curved edges with a plexiglass joint tool. Square-edged tiles can be filled flush with the tile surface.
H. Damp cure the regrouted area for at least 72 hours. Cover the area with Kraft paper or grocery bags. DO NOT USE PLASTIC SHEETING.
I. When dry, remove any residue from the tile surface by wiping with a clean, dry cloth.
3.03 PROTECTION
A. For the first month after re-grouting, wash the tile surface every 2-3 days with warm water and bar soap (such as Ivory), rinse thoroughly with clean, clear water and dry with a clean, soft cloth.
B. DO NOT USE DETERGENT ON THE TILE SURFACE UNTIL THE GROUT HAS FULLY CURED - APPROXIMATELY 30 DAYS.