Short answer: regrouting is popular because it makes a tired bathroom look brand new in about a day — without ripping a single tile off the wall — and it costs a fraction of a renovation. After 26 years sealing and regrouting showers across Sydney, it’s the job I get asked about more than any other. Here’s why it’s taken off, what it costs, and when it’s actually the right call.
What Regrouting Actually Is
Regrouting means cutting out the old, cracked, stained grout sitting between your tiles and replacing it with fresh grout — these days, almost always epoxy. We don’t remove the tiles. The waterproofing membrane underneath stays intact, the tiles stay where they are, and the area is back in use within a day or two. It’s the core of what we do — see our shower regrouting service for the full rundown.
Why Regrouting Has Become So Popular
It comes down to a simple trade-off: you get most of the visual lift of a renovation for a small slice of the cost and disruption. Here’s what wins people over:
- No tile removal — your bathroom isn’t turned into a demolition zone.
- Sealed and back in use in a day (allowing dry and cure time around it).
- A fraction of a renovation — a full epoxy shower regrout typically runs $1,400–$2,500, against $25,000–$50,000+ to rip out and re-do a bathroom.
- Epoxy grout doesn’t crack, stain or grow mould the way old cement grout does.
- You can completely change the grout colour — a genuine before-and-after, not just a clean.
The Colour Change Most People Don’t Expect
This is the one that surprises clients. Sometimes you pick a beautiful tile and end up with a grout colour that fights it — and there’s nothing more disappointing than a finish that isn’t what you pictured. With epoxy we can regrout in almost any colour you can think of, and unlike cement grout it won’t fade or discolour over time. A grey-grout bathroom can come back looking like a different room entirely.
What Regrouting Costs
Pricing depends on the size of the area and the type of tile, but here’s the honest ballpark so you can compare it against the alternative:
| Job | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Small patch / spot repair | $200–$500 |
| Full shower regrout (epoxy) | $1,400–$2,500 |
| Full bathroom renovation | $25,000–$50,000+ |
Every job is different, so we quote on the actual room — and the quote is free.
When Regrouting Is the Right Fix — And When It Isn’t
I’ll always tell you straight. Regrouting is the right call when the waterproofing membrane is still intact and the tiles are sound but the grout is cracked, discoloured or letting water through. That covers the large majority of tired showers. Where it won’t fix things is if the membrane underneath has failed, or tiles are drummy and lifting — at that point water is already getting behind the tiles and you’re looking at a tile-off repair or a renovation. AS3740-2010 is the standard that governs how those wet areas are waterproofed, and it’s why a proper assessment matters before anyone quotes you.
DIY Regrouting vs a Professional
Can you regrout yourself? Technically, yes — with the right tools, some patience and proper PPE, because removing old cement grout is a seriously dusty job you don’t want to be breathing in. But the gear that gets a clean, fast result is expensive and not something most homeowners own, and getting the new grout laid and finished well takes practice. A professional has the shower regrouted in a single day, the tiles only out of action while it dries and cures, and the right product chosen and applied for your tiles. For most people it’s the difference between a weekend that drags into a fortnight and a job that’s simply done.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does regrouting take?
The regrouting itself is a one-day job for a typical shower. The area needs to be dry before we start and then left to cure afterwards, so the shower is usually out of action for around one to two days in total — not the weeks a renovation takes.
How much does it cost to regrout a shower?
A full epoxy shower regrout typically runs $1,400–$2,500 depending on the size of the shower and the tile. Small patch repairs start from around $200–$500. We quote on the actual room and the quote is free.
Will regrouting stop my shower leaking?
In most cases, yes — if the leak is coming through cracked or missing grout, or through old silicone around the screen, regrouting and resealing fixes it. If the waterproofing membrane itself has failed, regrouting won’t be enough and we’ll tell you that honestly rather than take your money.
Does the new grout colour really last?
Epoxy grout doesn’t fade or discolour the way cement grout does, and it’s stain- and mould-resistant. The colour you choose is the colour that stays.
Ready to see what a regrout could do for your bathroom? We service the Hills District, the North Shore and Western Sydney — get in touch for a free quote.
About Leaking Showers Sealed
Leaking Showers Sealed is owned and run by Andreas Jagle, who has spent more than 26 years sealing, regrouting and repairing showers across Sydney. Andreas is Ardex Academy trained and works to Australian Standard AS3740-2010 for waterproofing wet areas, so every job is done the way it should be — not the quick way. We service the Hills District, the North Shore and Western Sydney. Every quote is free, honest and upfront.
