Tile & Grout Repair repair in Orlando, FL

Verified against official sources · Updated 2026-07-06

Thinking about a tile & grout repair repair in the Orlando area? Here's what actually matters — permit rules for Orange County and the City of Orlando, plus the mistakes and code requirements that trip up homeowners, sourced from manufacturer manuals and the Florida Building Code.

Do you need a permit?

No permit needed. Exempt finish work under FBC 105.2 and Orange County's published list — but exempt work must still comply with the Florida Building Code.
Source: https://codes.iccsafe.org/s/FLBC2023P1/chapter-1-scope-and-administration/FLBC2023P1-Ch01-SubCh02-Sec105.2

Key facts before you start

Joint-width rule is hard: unsanded grout ONLY for joints under 1/8 in; sanded for 1/8-1/2 in; never blend the two (TCNA). Sanded grout scratches polished marble, glass, and some porcelain glazes - test or switch to unsanded/epoxy.
Cement grout will NOT bond to old grout - a skim coat over cracked grout fails. Remove at least 2/3 of joint depth (Mapei) / 1/2-3/4 of tile thickness (Custom) before regrouting. Sole exception: Mapei Flexcolor CQ over Flexcolor CQ only.
Match the existing grout chemistry before patching: cracked epoxy grout can be re-applied over itself ~24 hr later but needs a minimum 1/8 in depth to hold; if grout is merely discolored (not cracked), recolor with a grout colorant (e.g. Mapei Grout Refresh) instead of regrouting.
Shower-use wait is longer than generic '24 hours': cement grout needs 72 hr before any intermittent water exposure; premixed grout (e.g. SimpleGrout) needs 3 days on shower walls and 7 days on shower floors. Meanwhile mist cement grout with cool water during the 72-hr cure (don't fan-dry it); seal only after 48-72 hr.
Never grout corners, tub-to-tile joints, or any change of plane - use 100% silicone (or urethane) per TCNA EJ171; acrylic/siliconized latex caulk dries hard and re-cracks. Movement joint width = grout joint width, never under 1/8 in. Grouted corners are the #1 repeat-crack callback.
To pull one cracked tile without wrecking neighbors, first cut out the grout around its full perimeter to isolate it (LATICRETE), then break out the tile. Diagnose first: a cracked tile or recurring grout crack usually means substrate movement or a loose/poorly bonded tile - rebond the tile and fix movement joints or the crack returns.

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Sources

https://tcnatile.com/resource-center/faq/grout/
https://www.custombuildingproducts.com/TDS/TDS-360.pdf
https://www.custombuildingproducts.com/TDS/TDS-181.pdf
https://www.custombuildingproducts.com/frequently-asked-questions
https://mapeihome.com/flooranddecor/faq_question/regrouting-4/
https://cdnmedia.mapei.com/docs/librariesprovider65/line-technical-documentation-documents/25-1672-grout-troubleshooting-guide-en.pdf?sfvrsn=cdc9e853_39
https://cdn-global.laticrete.com/-/media/project/laticrete-international/shared/files/support-and-downloads/technical-datasheets/tds186.ashx?la=en

This guide is general informational content, not professional or legal advice. Codes and county rules change — confirm permit requirements with your local building department, and use a licensed professional for electrical, gas, structural, or main-line plumbing work.