What's the difference between regrouting and retiling?
- Regrout and reseal: we remove the old grout between the tiles and the silicone in the corners and around the screen, treat mould, regrout with Mapei Kerapoxy epoxy grout and reseal every junction. The tiles stay where they are.
- Retile (rebuild): the tiles come off, the waterproof membrane underneath is replaced, then the shower is retiled. It fixes problems under the tiles, but it's a renovation, not a repair.
Regrout vs retile: cost, time and mess
| Epoxy regrout & reseal | Full retile / rebuild | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical cost (Melbourne, 2026) | From $650 + GST (base only), from $1,250 + GST (two-wall shower) | Usually many thousands |
| Time | Usually 1 day | Usually 1–3 weeks |
| Tiles removed | No | Yes |
| Shower back in use | After 24–48 hours cure | After the rebuild |
| Warranty | 10-Year Warranty on eligible epoxy re-grouting work, subject to terms | Depends on the builder |
| Fixes | Water getting in through failed grout and silicone | Failed membrane, rotten walls, cracked or loose tiles throughout |
Signs a regrout and reseal will fix it
- Grout is cracked, crumbling, missing or stained dark
- Black mould in the grout or silicone that comes back after cleaning
- Silicone in the corners or along the floor is peeling, split or has gaps
- Tiles are firm when you press on them
- The leak shows up after showers (a stain or bubbling paint on the other side of the wall, or damp skirting outside the shower) and dries out in between
Signs you may need a rebuild instead
- Many tiles are loose, cracked or sound hollow ("drummy") when you tap them, right across the shower
- The wall behind the tiles feels soft or flexes when you push on it
- Water keeps coming through even though the grout and silicone are sound
- The floor doesn't drain properly and water pools away from the waste
- Rot, swelling or water damage in the floor or wall framing
If the damp is there all the time, even when nobody has used the shower for a few days, the water may be coming from a pipe in the wall rather than the shower itself. That's a job for a plumber first.
Quick checks you can do at home
- Look closely at the grout and silicone. Cracks, gaps and mould lines are where water gets in.
- Press and tap the tiles. Firm, solid tiles are a good sign. A few hollow ones near the floor are common; lots of loose ones are not.
- Check the other side of the wall and outside the shower. Bubbling paint, swollen skirting boards, stains on the ceiling below or a musty smell mean water has been getting through for a while.
- Watch the timing. Damp that appears after showers and dries out points to the shower. Damp that never dries points to a pipe or a bigger problem.
- Send us photos. The whole shower, a close-up of the grout, the base and any damage. We'll tell you straight whether a regrout will fix it.
Why epoxy, not a cheap cement regrout?
Cement grout is porous. In a shower it soaks up water, grows mould and breaks down, which is often how the leak started in the first place. Regrouting with cement again can put you back where you began. Epoxy grout is non-porous, doesn't need sealing and stands up far better to water, mould and staining. We only use epoxy (Mapei Kerapoxy).
Will you tell me if regrouting won't work?
Yes. Regrouting and resealing stops water getting in through the grout and silicone. It doesn't replace the waterproof membrane under the tiles. If your photos or our inspection show the membrane has failed, or the walls behind are soft or rotten, we'll tell you before you book, not after.
What our customers say
“We used the seal guys at our property in mentone to reseal both of our showers with epoxy grout due to a leak that was happening, it has repaired the leak and the showers look amazing!”
“The Seal Guys were by far the quickest to get the work started, at a reasonable price. An excellent job, beyond what was expected.”
Regrout or retile FAQs
Can you regrout a shower without removing the tiles?
Yes. We remove only the old grout and silicone between and around the tiles, then regrout with epoxy and reseal. The tiles stay where they are.
Will regrouting stop my shower leaking?
If the water is getting in through failed grout or silicone, yes. That's the most common cause we see. If the membrane under the tiles has failed, regrouting alone won't fix it, and we'll tell you before you book.
Can you just grout over the old grout?
We don't. New grout over old, cracked grout doesn't bond properly and the problem comes back. We remove the old grout first, then regrout with epoxy.
Is regrouting worth it compared with retiling?
If your tiles and membrane are sound, yes. A regrout and reseal costs from $650 + GST for a base and from $1,250 + GST for a two-wall shower and is usually done in a day. A rebuild usually costs many thousands and takes weeks.
What warranty do you give?
10-Year Warranty on eligible epoxy re-grouting work, subject to terms. Full details are on our Warranty page.
How long does epoxy grout last?
Epoxy grout is far more durable than cement grout and, cared for properly, lasts many years.
When can I use my shower again after regrouting?
After 24–48 hours, once the epoxy has cured. We'll confirm the exact time on the day.
How do I get a price?
Send 3–4 photos to 0458 679 629 or through the quote form. We'll reply with a fixed price, usually within 24 hours.
Not sure whether your shower needs a regrout or a rebuild? Send 3–4 photos (the whole shower, a close-up of the grout, the base and any damage) to 0458 679 629 or through the quote form. We'll tell you honestly which one you need, and give you a fixed price if it's a regrout.
Full prices: shower regrouting cost in Melbourne