Choosing The Right Grout And Fast Application Technology In Tile Joints

2023 Author: Philip Bishop | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 07:54

• Types of tile grout
• Self-grouting tile joints
• Preparation of tools and materials
• Preparation of joints and grout
• Grout filling
• Cleaning joints from excess grout
• What to look for when working with tile grout

At first glance, it seems that grouting is a fairly simple process. However, if you grasp the essence of the process, you need to make some effort to achieve the integrity of the visual perception of the laid tiles. The correct grouting technology will not only help hide minor flaws obtained when laying the tile, but also due to its antibacterial properties, the grouting mixture will prevent the appearance of fungus and mold in the bathroom.

Types of tile grout

The modern building materials market among grout mixes offers the following options:

• Cement-based grouting mixture. It is the most common type of grout used today. Typically, these grouts are available in the form of powder mixes. Before work, the mixture is diluted with water in the ratio indicated on the package. In addition to cement, the mixture contains additives that give it elasticity and strength. Cement grout is suitable for filling joints up to half a centimeter wide. The downside is a rather long drying of the material.
• A mixture containing cement and sand. The addition of sand to the grouting mixture allows it to be used in wider joints. The disadvantage of such grouting is undesirable use in conjunction with glazed tiles: small grains of sand can damage the surface of the facing material.
• Furan based grout. They are black and are used on a production scale. Their advantages are durability and high strength, however, the complexity of use and high cost do not allow using it for grouting joints between tiles in the bathroom.
• Epoxy grout. In addition to traditional cement, the composition includes epoxy resin, which adds elasticity and strength to the material during hardening. Resin grouts have a wide range of colors and perfectly protect the joints from mold and moisture.
• Latex grouting compounds. It is the latest in modern grouting. It is popular with consumers due to its high resistance to water and a wide color palette. Has a fairly high price.
• Silicone based grouting compounds. For the most part, they are sealed silicone. They can be of different shades, but their main purpose is to seal joints, because the gaps between the seams are wide.

Some grout mixes have chemicals added to improve their plasticity or beauty. For example, glitters or other sprays can be added to the grout, which, when finished, give a completely different look to the room. How to choose grout in detail.

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Self-grouting tile joints

In order for the grouting to be done correctly, and in the process of work there were no difficulties, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the technologies and stages of grouting tile joints.

Preparation of tools and materials

With self-grouting, finances will only go to the purchase of material, because the work will be done with your own hands, and some tools are probably at home. For grouting you will need:

• A set of small rubber spatulas with which the grout will be applied and distributed;
• Small containers for mixing grout;
• Construction knife, file or nail file, as well as a brush. These tools are needed to scrape the tile adhesive from the seams and then remove it;
• Foam sponges for wet cleaning of tiles after grouting;
• If the packaging of the grouting mixture recommends the use of gloves and a mask during work, then they must also be prepared.

It is also worth preparing some amount of clean water and the trowel itself. Usually dry grout can be sold in small paper bags, and ready-made grout in small buckets.

Preparation of joints and grout

In order to prepare tile joints for further processing, it is necessary to clean them from the remains of tile adhesive. This is done with a construction knife. It is necessary to carefully run the knife blade in the inter-tile space several times in order to loosen the frozen tile adhesive. Then use a brush and clean out fine dust and dirt.

If a construction knife does not help scrape off the glue that is hard enough, use a file or a small construction file. The procedure should be carried out very slowly and carefully, especially if glazed tiles are used as cladding. If you slightly touch the side edge of the tile, then a chip may appear, which will ruin the appearance of the product. Then remove dirt and dust with a brush or vacuum cleaner.

Experts recommend strictly following the instructions and diluting the mixture with exactly the proportions of water indicated on the package. When the joints are empty and ready to be filled, prepare the grout mixture.

You only need to prepare the amount of solution that you can apply in 30 minutes. First, pour water into the container, then slowly add the cement powder, gently stirring it with a hand whisk or rubber spatula. It is important to prepare as much of the mixture as you can use at one time, because depending on the drying time of the grout, it may begin to harden during the application process.

Stir the grout thoroughly so that all lumps disappear. After kneading, it must be left for 5 minutes, and then stir again a little. The consistency of the grouting mixture should be elastic and similar to thick sour cream, but at the same time it should not flow out of the seams and do not lump in them. If this happens, it is better to immediately add a little water or mixture so that the result is not disastrous.

If it seems to you that the tile adhesive has begun to harden, then you should not use it.

Grout filling

Many professionals recommend dampening the joints with water before applying grout. This suggests better adhesion to the tile adhesive, so this advice should not be neglected. This can be done with a brush, foam sponge or spray bottle.

The direction of movement of the trowel on the wall does not matter, however, masters recommend starting grouting the tiles from the upper seams. Thus, if suddenly part of the grout falls off the trowel, it will not spoil the already finished joint.

It is better to visually divide the tiled canvas into conditional blocks and work separately with each of them, so as not to get confused and not get lost in search of unfilled joints.

The grout should be applied perpendicular to the position of the joint with transverse strokes. In this case, it is necessary to do this quickly, as if pressing the mixture into the inter-tile space. The remaining grout should be collected with a rubber trowel and applied to the next joint.

Next, you should wait for the grout to dry. You can determine this by looking at its color - it will brighten considerably, and the consistency will no longer stick to your hands. It usually takes several hours to dry completely at average room temperature, but this time may vary depending on the type of grout chosen. An online calculator will help you find out how much grout mixture is required.

Cleaning joints from excess grout

After the grout has dried well, you should clean the space around the joints from its residues. To do this, you can use a foam sponge slightly moistened with water. It is necessary to wipe each seam, removing excess grout mixture. Keep in mind that when wet cleaning, wipe the seams superficially, otherwise, in those places where the grout is not completely dry, the sponge can remove it from the seams. In this case, it will damage the grout layer and add sloppiness.

The cement grout marks remain for a long time, so after the first wet cleaning, you will have to do it a few more times. In subsequent times, pay attention to the entire tiled canvas, streaks and stains may remain on it. To do this, wipe the tiles first with a damp sponge and then with a dry soft cloth. Repeat the procedure several times to achieve the gloss of the tile. You can check this by looking at the slanting tile in good lighting. Read more on how to remove dried grout.

What to look for when working with tile grout

• The process of grouting floor tiles is similar, however there is another method of grouting tiles on the floor, which is different in speed. If the floor tiles are sufficiently smooth and not glazed, then use a manual construction mesh with a special soft rubber pad. Apply the trowel mixture with wide and sweeping movements and rub it into the seams. So that the grout lays down evenly, it makes it a little thinner than the grout for the walls.
• If you cannot decide on the width of the tile joints, please note that too narrow joints are difficult to fill with grout. In this regard, they may lose their tightness, and moisture will accumulate in the voids and mold will form. Seams that are too wide also have a disadvantage: the grout in such a seam will crack and crumble. The most optimal value for the joint width is 3-4 mm.
• To prevent cracking of the cement grout, experts advise making a thick solution, and observing the proportions when mixing the solution. Grout can also crumble from exposure to hot water or improper substrate preparation. It is also not recommended to open windows and create drafts while the grout dries.

If you doubt the consistency of the grout, the correct mixing and application, you can always refer to the instructions on the grout packaging. If an independent procedure for performing work is beyond your power, contact highly qualified specialists for help. Do not ignore the advice of professionals, and then your tile will last for many years.

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