How to Remove and Replace Grout?

How to Remove and Replace Grout?

www.megasealed.com.au

Ceramic tiles are unquestionably one of the most durable tiling solutions when it comes to leaky bathrooms. Not only are they the most durable, but they are perhaps the most water-resistant. However, it’s the grout that you use that ultimately determines the life expectancy of any tile.

Most grouts are porous and soft and therefore prone to stains and damage, but with a little maintenance you can prevent your grout from future damage. However, if you neglect your grout, repairing it can be a difficult, time consuming and costly task.

Megasealed has you covered with our ‘how-to’ guide when it comes to replacing grout. And with over 23 years under our belt, these are the tried and tested tricks of the trade.

Budding DIY-ers pay close attention.

1. How to clean grout

With the bathroom being one of the most frequented rooms in the house, it is no wonder grout often gets dirty. It is not unusual to see a buildup of soap scum, mould and even dirt in your grout, so the first order of business is to buy a stiff-bristle brush.

Using a strong gumption, a brush and a fair amount of elbow grease you should be able to easily remove any soap scum or dirt from in between your tiles. However, stubborn stains may need some extra attention - Try soaking the tiles in bleach for 10 minutes before you get down to scrubbing - Rinse and repeat until the stain is gone.

This should get rid of mould and stains quick-smart and will leave your tiles looking good as new.

2. How to Remove Grout

If after your initial clean you can still see stains this might mean you have a leak. For more on fixing leaks read our How To Fix A Leaking Shower article and get one step closer to that hassle free bathroom. 

The most foolproof way of preventing any further damage is to remove and replace the grout. The easiest way to remove grout is with specialised de-grouting tools. Everything you need should be supplied at your local bunnings, including:

1. Protective gloves and goggles
2. A multi-tool to remove grout, and
3. A grout saw to remove the hard to reach grout without damaging the tiles

Pro Tip: For DIY-ers, an oscillating multitool is your ‘top of the line’ de-grouting tool, but this might be hard to get if you’re on a strict budget.

3. Applying Epoxy Grout

After all the grout is removed it’s time to prepare a grout mixture. Megasealed’s two-part epoxy grout Megagrout is the top of the line grout mixture and comes in a range of colours to suit all bathrooms.

Then hire a grout float to deeply fill the tile joints, waiting up to 30 minutes before you remove any excess grout mix. In most cases grout takes up to 36 hours to dry, but to be totally safe we suggest letting it set for a full 48 hours before you use your bathroom again.

While this sounds simple enough, this can be a tough task for even the handiest of men, so why not get in touch with us here. Megasealed is the largest company in the industry. We have the most ISO accredited technicians handling the largest volume of clients across the country.

Plus we have one of the fastest turn-around services in the business. We complete most jobs within 48 hours of quoting – helped by having consultants and technicians in your local area.

To arrange for your local Megasealed consultant to do an in-home no obligation free quote call us on 1300 658 007.

Does My Balcony Need Waterproofing?

Does My Balcony Need Waterproofing?

There’s nothing Aussies love more than having a beer on the balcony, patio, veranda, porch or any other word you use to describe that perfect outdoor area that the summer sun hits just right each time you’re ready to clock-off. Unfortunately, due to a balconies exposure to the elements they are  susceptible to waterproofing failures. Therefore, every Aussie should understand the consequences of untreated balcony leaks.

There are a multitude of reasons why leaking balcony repairs might be necessary including: dodgy construction work, lack of maintenance, poor water drainage, the failure of membranes and natural building movements, just to name a few.

Here’s our guide on how to repair a leaking balcony.

Prevention

It goes without saying that prevention is better than cure. So, when your balcony is being constructed the correct care and preparation must go into planning. And while we love the “my-father-built-this-house-with-his-bare-hands” sentiment, perhaps this is one you best leave up to the professionals. Megasealed’s team of professionals with over 25 years experience adhere to the building codes and compliance standards from the outset because we understand that shortcuts can result in some very costly headaches. Improper balcony waterproofing leads to leaks, compromises the structural integrity of a home, and can eventually lead to collapse.

Perhaps your best course of prevention is Megasealed’s cost-effective ISO accredited sealing system, in which they apply a sealant both over and under leaking tiles to produce a full seal (watch the step by step video here). Get it done right the first time and save you and your family time and money in the long run. 

Cure

If you don’t have the luxury of building your balcony from scratch and cure is your only option, make sure you do a thorough inspection for balcony leaks. Better yet, get a Megasealed technician to save you money and trouble by using our revolutionary Thermal Imaging Water Detection Technology to identify those sinister leaks you can’t see, and catch moisture intrusions at the source.

After leak detection it is important to act fast as to not cause further damage to your waterproofing membrane. That’s why Megasealed has you covered with our cost-effective Standard Service in which we use our award-winning liquid repair membrane sealant Megabloc, to help repair damaged membranes and have you waterproof in no time.

Alternatively, you can get our Tile Over Tile Service which includes priming, waterproofing and retiling the existing surface to elevate your balcony to the next level. Call Megasealed at 1300 658 007 to get a FREE quote today or visit Megasealed here and let us help you get back to enjoying golden hour with a beer in hand.

How To Determine The Cause Of A Leaking Shower

How To Determine The Cause Of A Leaking Shower

www.megasealed.com.au

Is your water bill looking a little more expensive than usual? Is your bathroom floor mysteriously damp? Is there mould forming in those hard to reach places? Does something smell a little musty at home? If you answered yes to any of these, chances are you have a leaking shower.

A leaking shower base can ruin the integrity of your home’s foundations. Not to mention it causes a build up of mould, chipped paint, decaying grout and can make your bathroom look like a total mess. Too often we go about de-moulding, re-paining and re-grouting without actually remedying the problem at the source - The leak! So, to save you money and time we have compiled this list of how to fix your once beautiful bathroom, starting at the source.

There are many possible reasons your shower might be leaking, including:

✔  A blockage in the plumbing system i.e. pipes

✔  A broken waterproofing membrane

✔  The use of poor quality products during the construction process

✔  A problem with the shower head

Repairing a leaking shower often ends up being quite expensive depending on who you get to do the job. With Megasealed’s range of services including our Standard Service or our Tile Over Tile Service you can not only pick the perfect shower waterproofing solution, but also one that is cost effective. But keep in mind this all depends on how early you identify the problem.

We can not stress enough that leak are time sensitive. The longer it takes you to identify the problem, the more money it will cost to fix. So stay on top of your bathroom maintenance by checking for these signs:

✔  A dripping sound - Simple, but effective

✔  Dampness in and around the shower

✔  Accumulation of mould on the floor, walls and ceiling

✔  Cracks appearing in the paint

✔  Cracks in the grout

✔  Loose tiles

If you spot any of the above, then contact Megasealed to get quality service without breaking your bank. 

Megasealed's standard service provides you with a complete shower seal:

1. Starting with a comprehensive leak check using non-invasive thermal water-leak technology. 
2. A wall-to-wall degrout, focusing on problem areas such as a leaking shower base. 
3. A full waterproof membrane repair using their award winning non-invasive waterproofing solution, Megabloc. 
4. And finally, a shower regrout applying an extremely durable two part epoxy grout to shower wells, perimeter joints and the leaking shower base.

Megasealed will provide you with ISO accredited experts who will help you find the right solution for your leaking shower. So, call us on 1300 658 007 for a free quote today or visit us here.

Bathroom Restoration Rules

Bathroom Restoration Rules

www.megasealed.com.au

As a homemaker, upgrading your bathroom is an extremely exciting prospect. In this blog, we uncover the top 7 bathroom restoration mistakes and how to best avoid them.

Planning: The biggest mistake people make when it comes to restoring a bathroom is getting started without any prior planning. Preparation and planning are the keys to save you time, money and sanity.

Spending too much or too little: How much budget you allocate to your bathroom restoration depends upon your individual needs. Perhaps you require shower resealing, tile regrouting, or simply grout repair? You may even want to go for a full bathroom overhaul. As a rule of thumb, it is best to spend anywhere up from 2% of the total cost of your home to get the best outcome possible and to avoid cutting corners.

Pro tip: Prioritise quality, not quantity and this will give your bathroom a longer shelf life.

Unskilled DIY: If you’re not a natural handy man it is best to leave bathroom restoration up to the professionals, especially in areas where water is involved. In bathrooms the most minor mistake can lead to detrimental problems – the main one being leaks.

Poor Ventilation: A bathroom requires proper ventilation otherwise you may find tiny black specks of mould marching up your newly painted walls and ceilings. Your hired knows which vent fan is best for your bathroom and which professional mould removal would be the best.

Waterproofing Issues: It is easy to fall into the trap that what looks good to the eye, is good enough for your bathroom. WRONG! A leaking shower is often invisible to the naked eye. It is for that reason you need to apply a quality waterproofing membrane. Better yet, Megasealed can apply one for you. Our non-destructive membrane repair is extremely durable and cost effective.

Shower Sealing: Sealing is perhaps the most important step when it comes to bathroom restoration and should be at the forefront of your mind. Check for decaying, mouldy or missing grout as these are usually the tell-tale signs of a leaking bathroom. In these circumstances Megasealed can offer a complete and fully licensed shower tiling and regrouting service, where we perform a wall-to-wall degrout, focusing on problem areas such as a leaking shower base. Followed by a regrout using our ward winning two-part epoxy grout, applied by a trained technician. The wells, perimeter joints and leaking shower base are then resealed using our extremely flexible, weather resistant, Megasealed Gold.

Pro tip: One bathtub is enough. By having a second bathtub you put your house at unnecessary risk as baths are heavy and can compromise the floor joists in your home.

If you are considering restoring your bathroom, contact Megasealed today! Our professionals provide a bespoke solution for your bathroom, instead of the one-size-fits-all approach that our competitors offer. By tailoring our service to your specific needs, you only pay for what you need. Get a free consultation and quote today and call 1300 658 007.