Tile grout

At the end of the repair work, I want to finish them as soon as possible, but often the speed interferes with the quality, especially when it comes to laying tiles. If the tile is already in place, and there is very little left - to clean the seams, take your time and do everything as carefully as possible, then the result will surely please you. A well-made grout will help to hide errors that could occur during installation. With a poor grout, all work will go down the drain and the appearance of the tile will be ruined. So, let's talk about how the grouting of tile joints occurs.

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Beginning of work

Work should begin after the tile has dried.

Important! It is advisable to wait at least a day, and preferably a week.

To make all the work easy, you should act in the following sequence:

1. Any objects that are near the masonry: household appliances, cabinets, plumbing - it is necessary to cover with a film to protect it from pollution.
2. Choose grout.
3. We prepare tools and materials.
4. To make the seams even and beautiful, first we clean the tiles from debris and dividing crosses. To do this, you can wrap a knife or screwdriver with a rag and wipe all the joints. Work carefully so as not to chop fresh tile.
5. Moisturize the surface with spray water.
6. Knead the grout according to the recipe from the package.
7. Getting to work.
8. We clean the masonry.

Important! There are comments on the Internet that separators can not be removed, but grouted with them. But this will affect the quality of work, since the cross can be seen under the grout, and the appearance of the tile will no longer be ideal.

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Types of grouting mortars

In general terms, all materials can be divided into two types according to their composition.

Epoxy resin

These products contain epoxy resins and hardeners, thanks to which the joints more easily tolerate various influences, including chemical ones.

For home use, this is not the most convenient grout, since it is quite expensive, stretches very much, is not suitable for very narrow joints, and is also very specific in application.

Important! Typically, such funds are used in non-residential premises, for example, shopping centers or in factories.

Cement

Most often these are dry mixes that must be diluted with water or other substances. In construction stores you can find already diluted compounds, but usually their cost is higher than dry.

Important! When working with any of the compositions, care should be taken and protective equipment should be used for hands, eyes and respiratory tract.

Depending on the additives that make up the mixture, three main types of cement grout can be distinguished:

• dry mix;
• latex mixture;
• industrial cement.

Important! There are also seals based on elastomer, but these compounds are not used for joints, but to fill in the gaps during installation.

Make a choice

Which brand to prefer - depends on your wishes, but consider the following recommendations:

1. For a home, it is better to choose a cement based one.
2. The seams should be darker than the tiles. Thus, you emphasize the geometry of the forms, and also allow less emphasis on dirt, which inevitably accumulates in the seams over time.
3. Note that a grout that is too light will quickly fade and fade, so choose darker tones to leave a fresh look longer.

When the choice of materials is made, you can proceed to work.

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How to wipe the seams?

In the absence of experience, for a beginner it is better to start by watching a couple of videos on the topic of how to grout tile joints, and get an idea of ​​the sequence of actions. Next, prepare the tools.

You will need:

1. Protective respirator and goggles, because the work is very dusty.
2. Gloves - better rubber and a few pairs.
3. Rubber or silicone roller and spatula - for applying the composition to the seams.
4. Construction mixer - will allow you to mix the mixture efficiently, and also save time and effort. If it turned out to be difficult to find a mixer, you can knead the solution manually, but you will have to work hard.
5. Actually grout - depending on your choice: color or white, moisture resistant, simple.
6. Container for mixing the composition.
7. Capacity for water.
8. Sponge for washing dishes or a rag.
9. Water - for washing surfaces and diluting the composition.
10. Sealant - suitable for your tile and room.
11. Grout.
12. The brush is thin.

Having prepared all the tools and materials, you can begin to work.

Dry grout preparation

The exact instructions for preparing the product should be indicated on the packaging, be sure to follow its points so that the grouting of the tile joints is beautifully executed. In general, the process may look like this:

1. Pour water at room temperature in the indicated quantity into the mixing tank.
2. Pour dry mixture into the water.
3. Stir the composition with a mixer or manually until smooth.
4. Leave the mixture to "rest", but no more than 10 minutes.
5. After - mix well again and start work.

Work sequence:

1. We spread a small amount of the composition on the masonry with a spatula.
2. We use a trowel and distribute the composition on the surface.
3. It is better to act at an angle of 30 degrees, with pressing movements.
4. Press down on the grater or trowel to fill the joints as much as possible.
5. To check the composition for the drying time, you can try to distribute the grout in a small area and note the time.
6. After the test, you will understand at what intervals you can strip joints.

We use a trowel bag

There is another option, how to grout the joints with your own hands. If after the work it is difficult to clean the masonry - experts recommend using a trowel bag.

The principle of work:

1. Inside the bag, a nozzle is inserted according to the size of the seam, filled with its composition.
2. Next, carefully fill all the seams with the composition, installing the nozzle directly into the seam. The work is reminiscent of setting cream on a cake with confectioners.
3. For the best effect, you should move along the entire length: first horizontally, then vertically, and not along the outlines of the tile.
4. After the first application, it is necessary to check whether the seams have settled, and if necessary, repeat the procedure.
5. A perfectly frayed seam looks a bit concave, so trim it with a sponge or finger if necessary.
6. Excess grout should only be removed after it has set with a metal sponge.

Important! Constantly mix the mixture so that it is homogeneous, and also remember that the solution solidifies quickly, so do not make it too much, and dilute the mixture as it is used.

We will analyze one more important question, how to remove the excess composition from the tile.

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How to remove grout?

In order to remove all traces, there are several steps. Consider them all.

Stage One: Dry Cleaning

At the end of work on the seams, it is necessary to remove all excess composition:

• You can use a grater for this.
• Keep the tool at an angle of 90 degrees.
• Next, you need to wait about an hour until the composition hardens a little.

Stage Two: Wet Cleaning:

1. To begin this stage, you should check whether the applied agent has seized.
2. Take a sponge, wet it, and run along the junction.
3. If the composition reaches for the sponge, you need to wait a little longer. If not, you can safely proceed to the second stage.

Procedure:

1. Pour water into a container, take a sponge.
2. Rinse the tiles with a sponge, removing the main dirt.
3. Next, more thoroughly clean the tile in a circular motion, rinsing the sponge as necessary.
4. In the process, be sure to watch the seams. They should not have pits.

Important! At the end of the work, you need to fix the joints. This can be done with a thin stick for manicure. Make sure all seams are as even and equal as possible.

Stage Three: The Final

After leveling, you must finally rinse the tile with water and wait for the composition to dry for about two hours. Final cleaning is best done by protecting the respiratory system, since a large amount of dust is possible during cleaning.

Important! If not all dirt has been removed with a sponge, take a carpet brush or a metal dish brush.

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Apply sealant:

• After final cleaning and drying, sealant can be applied. It is necessary that the tile lasts a long time, no spots appear on it, it does not deteriorate from moisture.
• The choice of sealants in construction stores is very large, depending on their purpose. For example, a liquid transparent option will protect the tile from stains.
• Sealants come on different bases, but the most common are silicone, varnish and acrylic. In order to understand which option is best for you, you should consult a specialist and tell him about the material of the tile, its features, as well as the composition of the grout.
• When covering only joints with a sealant, you can use a thin brush; when covering the entire tile, use a roller.
• Next, you need to wait until it dries completely. It all depends on the composition. There are quick-drying grouts, and there are those that need about a week.

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We solve problems

It happens that all the work is done, but cracks begin to go along the worn places. There are few options why this happens:

1. When preparing the mixture, violations were made - the amount of added water was more than necessary according to the recipe.
2. It is possible that the seams were not sufficiently moistened before work, and the tile absorbed all the liquid from the composition.
3. Manufacturers must indicate the width of the seams on the packaging. If this moment is not taken into account, cracks will certainly appear.
4. Also, the cause may be poor alignment of the surface under the tile.

How to fix?

1. For white grouting, he can use the following method: using a screwdriver, carefully remove the cracked layer and apply a new layer, observing all the rules.
2. For color grouting this option is unsuitable, since the seam can change its color. Accordingly - the composition will need to be removed completely. This method is very expensive, therefore, with colored grouting options, act initially as much as possible in accordance with the instructions.

You can, of course, leave seams with cracks. However, over time, you will notice that cracks become more voluminous, and repairs will still be inevitable.

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Stock footage

But if you prepare well and carry out all the work efficiently, the result will surely please you. Have a good repair!