When renovating an old home, a common area where work and attention is needed, is in the bathroom. Often, issues are more aesthetic than structural – older bathrooms can be full of stains and mould and can feel unloved.
You don’t need to spend a fortune to brighten up a bathroom if everything is structurally sound. There’s a real sense of satisfaction that comes with improving something older, rather than ripping out everything.
Mould and condensation – enemy number 1
Some old bathrooms have plenty of stains and mould, but often it is purely cosmetic, caused by condensation.
A piece of renovation advice to stop condensation and mould forming: over-specify bathroom fans and ensure they’re big enough to get rid of condensation. Another tip: always tile bathrooms floor to ceiling to waterproof the entire room.
To have old bathrooms looking their sparkling best, prepare and clean all surfaces with a mild soap or sugar soap. All surfaces must be clean and dry before starting the real work.
How to replace old grout
Grotty grout has gotta go! Select a grout remover that’s suitable for the joint width and remove most of the grout down to 1mm. Use a strong bristle brush to remove any loose grout.
Next, apply the new grout. Davco Rejuvenation Grout is tacky which means it will easily bond with the remaining old grout. Ready to use straight from the tub, it is mould-and bacteria resistant to keep bathrooms fresh.
Filling the joints correctly is essential to ensure no water finds its way in small gaps. Allow to dry for 30 minutes before giving it a final wipe.
How to apply silicone in an old bathroom
Next, seal the grout with silicone to keep it looking fresh and clean. This ensures moisture stays out and keeps the entire bathroom dry and pristine.
Use a utility knife and a flat chisel to remove existing silicone by carefully scoring along the top and bottom of the silicone to make a clean cut on either side. Gently apply pressure on the chisel, running the flat blade against where the tile meets the silicone until the silicone is removed from the joints.
Ensure area is completely dry and free of any loose material like dirt, and then the resealing fun begins. Apply Sikasil®-702 All Purpose following directions on the packaging.
Improve tired tiles
Another area where family bathrooms show their age is the floor tiles. An easy DIY fix to improve the look of a bathroom is to replace tile grout.
Use Davco Tile & Grout Cleaner to get rid of tough dirt, mould and mildew. Mix the solution with water, sponge on and wipe off. Allow 24 hours to fully dry.
Next, apply Davco Sanitized Tile & Grout Sealer, which can be used on new or old grout. Seal the grout using a narrow brush, and wipe any excess product off tiles with a damp cloth. Allow 24 hours before walking on the newly sealed floor. This simple DIY project can easily transform an old family bathroom from worn-out to wow.
Products and tools required
- Grout remover
- Davco Rejuvenation Grout
- Sikasil®-702 All Purpose
- Davco Tile and Grout Cleaner
- Davco Sanitized Tile & Grout Sealer