Grouting mistakes make your tile project look less than perfectdespite all of your hard work.
Install professional-looking tiles by learning from these common grouting mistakes.
Solve this grouting mistake by choosing the correct grout material:sanded vs. unsanded tile grout.
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Mixing the Grout by Hand
Properly mixed tile grout should be smooth and creamy.
However, it’s difficult to mix dry grout by hand and achieve the right consistency.
Dry grout is too heavy to stir by hand, resulting in air pockets and dry clumps.
Excess water in grout will weaken the grout and lead to cracking and shrinkage.
Eventually, you may need toregrout the tile.
Mix dry grout and water in the correct ratio.
For sanded grout, you’ll generally use 2-1/2 ounces of water per pound of dry grout.
Common grout-to-water mixture ratios for sanded grout:
The mixture should have the consistency of smooth peanut butter.
If it is too lumpy, gradually add small amounts of water.
If it is too watery, tap some dry mixture into the bucket and continue to mix.
If it’s still not the right consistency, dispose of the batch and start again.
What Is a Grout Float?
A grout float is a tiling tool for spreading grout across tiles and into tile joints.
It is rectangular-shaped and has a handle on the top.
The soft bottom is made of silicone or rubber.
This common grouting mistake is easy to fix by turning the float diagonal to the tile joint lines.
Spread the grout in a long sweep with the float moving at a 45-degree angle to the joints.
This grouting mistake ruins the look of clean, precise joint lines.
Over time, debris builds up in low grout joints.
Worst of all, uneven grout weakens the entire tile installation, limiting lifespan.
It also digs grout out of the joints.
One edge of the float should touch the tile.
The other edge should be raised halfway between vertical and horizontalor, 45 degrees.
As you sweep the float across the tile, your hand tends to change its angle.
So, practice a few sweeps and keep the float at 45 degrees for the entire stroke.
Cleaning Too Vigorously
After spreading the tile grout, scrape off the excess with the float.
The remaining thin film of grout is cleaned off with a damp sponge.
To clean grout from the tile:
Timing It Wrong
Precise timing helps your tilework look professional.
Poor tile grout often results from neglecting timing, exceeding time limits, or starting steps too early.
The solution is to know the tiling schedule.
To avoid guesswork, watch the clock or set a timer on your phone or watch.
Tile Grouting Do’s and Don’ts
Use pre-mixed grout if you have trouble mixing dry grout.
Work in small sections.
Maintain constant pressure on the grout float.
Clean excess grout soon after software.
Grout before the tile is fully set.
Mix more grout than you might use in a session.
Rush your project, especially if you’re new to tiling.
Leave grout on your toolsclean immediately.
After 15 minutes, rub out the softened grout with a sponge and reapply the grout.
This only works for relatively new grout.
Older, fully cured grout must be scraped out and reapplied.
you’re free to hide uneven grout lines in two ways.
If the tile already has grout,change the grout colorto closely match the color of the tile.
Keracolor S Sanded Grout: Premium Sanded Grout with Polymer.
How to Remove Grout from Tile.
Rubi USA / Germans Boada S.A.
