This article is dedicated to all the DIY warriors out there planning to re-grout their bathroom floors with epoxy. While it’s not impossible, let’s face it epoxy isn’t the friendliest material to work with, especially if you’re new to the gig. It’s doable, sure, but risky: worst-case scenario, you ruin your bathroom; best case, you end up with a permanent cloudy haze on your tiles that lasts forever.
This guide will help you supervise the process for those hiring a local contractor, especially since most waterproofing contractors in India aren’t certified and often don’t follow proper procedures. So, without further delay, let’s discuss the things to watch out for when using epoxy grout.
Clean the surface thoroughly
Remove all dirt, dust, and soap residue. Make sure the floor is completely dry before proceeding — moisture can interfere with epoxy bonding.
Tape both sides of the grout lines
This step adds precision and protects your tiles from epoxy stains, making cleanup much easier later.
Remove the old grout
Use an angle grinder or oscillating tool to remove the old grout. Maintain a consistent 2mm to 3mm gap between tiles while being careful not to damage the tile edges.
Vacuum the dust thoroughly
Clear out any remaining grout dust and debris. Use a damp cloth followed by a vacuum to ensure the joints are perfectly clean.
Mix the epoxy grout
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. Only mix as much as you can apply within the working time (typically 30–45 minutes).
Apply the grout into the grooves
Use an epoxy grout float to press the mixture firmly into the joints, ensuring full coverage and smooth finish.
Allow it to cure
Let the epoxy grout cure for the recommended duration — usually between 24 to 72 hours, depending on the product used.
Carefully remove the tape
Do this before the epoxy fully hardens to avoid pulling up the grout edges with the tape.
Give the tiles a final wash
Use a damp sponge or cloth to clean any haze left on the tiles. Don’t delay this — dried epoxy is very difficult to remove later.
Cleaning the surface and letting it dry properly is essential before you move to the next step. If the tiles are wet or dusty, the tape won’t stick and if the tape doesn’t stay in place, it can ruin the precision of your grouting. For a successful epoxy grout job, it’s crucial that the tape stays firmly stuck throughout the process.
So take your time: clean thoroughly, let it dry completely, and only then proceed.
If you're new to epoxy grouting, the safest choice is a 48mm masking tape. It's wide enough to catch spills, easy to apply, and peels off cleanly after the grout sets. Taping helps you maintain clean lines and protects the tiles from epoxy stains.
If you’ve hired an experienced waterproofing contractor, you probably don’t need to worry — they’ll usually handle this step properly. But if you’re doing it yourself, don’t skip the tape — it’s your first line of defense against a messy finish.
Once your tape is nicely in place (like a border for your masterpiece), it’s time to kick out the old grout. You’ve got two weapons here: the angle grinder (aka the beast) or the oscillating tool (aka the gentle hero).
Now listen if you’ve never used an angle grinder before, maybe don’t start today unless you’ve got insurance and a backup bathroom. It’s powerful, fast, and just a bit too eager to cut anything in its path including your tiles or your fingers.
The safer, smarter choice for beginners is the oscillating tool. It’s slower, but way more forgiving. It won’t launch dust storms across your living room, and your fingers will thank you.
Just be super careful near the tile trims. One wrong move and you’ll be staring at a chipped edge forever, wondering why you didn’t call a pro.
Recommended: If you’re hiring a contractor, ask them to use an oscillating tool instead of an angle grinder. It kicks up little to no dust, which means you won’t be left cleaning every corner of your house for the next three days. Trust us — it’s easier to prevent a mess than to fight one after the job’s done.
After removing the old grout, you will be left with residual dust and grout particles within the joints. It is crucial to clear out this debris before applying the new epoxy grout.
Failing to remove dust and loose material can result in poor adhesion and uneven filling, compromising the durability and appearance of the grout lines.
The most effective method is to use a high-suction vacuum cleaner to extract all particles from the grooves. Ensure the joints are completely clean and dust-free before proceeding to the next step.
Proper mixing is the foundation of long-lasting and durable grout joints. However, the mixing ratio and method vary depending on the brand of epoxy grout you are using. While we’d love to provide exact proportions, it's best to refer to the manufacturer's guidelines printed on the packaging.
In general, high-quality epoxy brands provide precise instructions to ensure correct mixing of the resin and hardener components. Accuracy here is critical — even a slight imbalance can affect performance and curing.
It’s important to note that epoxy grout begins to harden as soon as it's mixed. To avoid wastage and ensure smooth application:
Failing to follow this may result in the mixture hardening into a solid, unusable mass before you even finish applying it.
We’ll be publishing a dedicated blog soon reviewing the best epoxy grout brands available in the market — stay tuned.
With the tape securely in place, you can proceed to apply the epoxy grout with confidence. While the application process may feel challenging at first—especially for beginners—you will get more comfortable as you progress.
You can use a scraper, grout float, or spatula designed for epoxy application. The key is to ensure the grout is fully pressed into the joints for a complete seal.
Take your time during this step, as a clean and even application will greatly impact the final appearance and performance of the grout.
Once the grout has been applied and finished, the next critical step is to let the epoxy cure properly. Curing time varies depending on the brand, temperature, and humidity levels.
For reference, we use SP-100™ Tile Joint Epoxy Grout, and the curing timeline is as follows:
Initial Set Time: 2 to 3 hours
Light Foot Traffic: After 24 hours
Full Cure: After 7 days
This step plays a crucial role in defining the final finish of your epoxy grout application. The timing and method of tape removal directly affect the cleanliness and sharpness of the grout lines. If the tape is removed too early, it may pull up the edges of the grout, creating gaps. If removed too late, the hardened epoxy may bond to the tape and tear off the edges, resulting in uneven, chipped joints.
Start removing the tape within 45 to 50 minutes after applying the grout, depending on the product’s working time and room temperature.
Precision here ensures a professional, clean finish—so take your time and proceed with care.
Once the tape has been removed, it’s time to clean the surface of the tiles. Most epoxy grout kits include a sponge specifically designed for this step.
Dampen the sponge with clean water (avoid soaking it) and gently wipe the surface to remove any excess grout or residue left on the tiles. It’s important to perform this cleaning as soon as possible — once the epoxy dries, it becomes extremely difficult to remove.
Use light, circular motions and rinse the sponge frequently to avoid spreading the haze. A timely and thorough wash will ensure a clean, professional finish without any sticky or cloudy buildup on the tiles.
Wallah if you've followed each of these steps carefully, you should be left with a picture-perfect grout job that’s ready to withstand the test of time. A well-done epoxy grout can easily last 7 years or more, depending on usage and water exposure. Remember, water is a natural eroder so the less standing moisture your grout faces, the longer it will hold up.
And for those who’ve hired a contractor: if they’ve followed this process properly and used a high-quality epoxy grout, you can rest assured that you’re looking at a professionally executed, long-lasting finish.