• The perimeter grout joint around the shower floor.
• The vertical corners.
• The perimeter caulk joint around the composite shower floor pan if used instead of tile.
• The backsplash joint on the kitchen counters where the counter meets the vertical wall tile.
• Sometimes the tile looks nearly good as new but the grout is cracked and missing. Professional grout cleaning can remove years of stains and dirt from grout by carefully hand scrubbing each grout joint with special commercial tile and grout cleaners. The grout can then be sealed with penetrating grout sealers to minimize future stain problems.

The color of grout can often be changed without re-grouting. The process also stain proofs the grout so that dirt and spills are unable to penetrate into the grout in the future. When grout is missing, cracked and stained beyond cleaning, it can be regrouted. After sufficient curing the new grout should be sealed with a good penetrating sealer.

Moldy caulking is unsightly and unsanitary, it can also allow water to leak into the walls. The most common problem is at the joint between bathtub and tile or shower pan and tile. If these joints are not fixed in a timely manner, great damage to the structure can occur. Professionals can remove the old caulk, clean and apply mildew-cider to the open joint, then thoroughly dry, wipe the surface with solvent and apply a new bead of mildew resistant caulk to the open joint.

In the kitchen, the cracked backsplash joint is mostly a cosmetic irritation. But because shower and tub grout cracks can lead to serious water damage behind the tile, these joints should be properly repaired in a timely fashion. If allowed to leak for long periods of time, bacteria can grow in the damp wallboard and wood behind the tile. The problem goes beyond tile repair making it necessary to hire a general contractor to replace all the rotten building materials.

All tiles are subject to damage, especially by impact. However, porcelain tiles are becoming increasingly popular because they are very tough. These man-made tiles are harder than granite - a razor blade won't even scratch them. Porcelain tiles also have consistent color from top to bottom. Scratches are extremely rare; if they occur, they have little cosmetic or structural impact.

When matching replacement tiles are unavailable and the cost of replacing the entire countertop is prohibitive, you might consult with a bath fixture refinisher. As long as the tile is still structurally sound, they can often repair chipped and cracked tiles with special porcelain filler, then refinish the entire tile and grout into a solid surface in the color of your choice.