Nottingham pool regrouting, with straight answers on grout.

Stained, growing or failing

Dark grout is not always failed grout. It may be staining, or surface growth that comes off with the right clean. Grout that is genuinely breaking down feels soft or sandy, has dropped below the tile edge, or has gone from the joint altogether.

Close-up photos in good light help us tell which it is. On a visit we may try a small test clean before suggesting a full regrout.

Choosing a grout

Epoxy grout is dense and resists chemical attack well, which is why it is often chosen for pools. It is also harder to put in: short working time, sensitive to temperature, and it has to be washed off thoroughly before it sets. A suitable cement-based grout is the right answer in some pools.

We explain why we recommend one over the other for your pool. We will not promise a lifespan for either, because water chemistry, use and cleaning all affect it.

• Epoxy suits many pools but is not a cure-all
• Cement grout can be right in the right setting
• Hollow or loose tiles need refixing before any regrout

Two things to check

Tap the tiles near the worst grout. If they sound hollow or move, regrouting alone will not last, and tile repairs need to go into the same job.

Look at the water balance records. Water that is out of balance can etch cement-based grout and speed up its wear, so it is worth talking to whoever runs the pool plant.

Nottingham pools

We take on public leisure pools, school and university pools, hotel and spa pools, health clubs, and private pools across Nottinghamshire. A full regrout needs the pool drained and dry and a planned closure, so it is worth talking dates at the first visit.