Vitrex 10 2280 Grout Finisher, Blue

Product Information

Removing old grout means regrouting tiles and this is a messy job. So make sure that you have a dustpan and brush handy at all times. First remove any furniture or obstacles so you have a clear floor space to work in. Apply a thin coat of sealer to porous stone. Follow the application instructions on the label. Wipe up excess sealer with a cloth to avoid puddles. Then let the sealer dry before you grout. Wet your applicator with the grout sealer, and begin wiping the liquid into the grout lines. If you are sealing both horizontal and vertical surfaces, start with the vertical tile. If you are not just replacing grout, but are laying a new tile surface, heed the advice of Thomas Hawkins, handyman, master electrician, and owner of Electrician Apprentice HQ, who recommends, "For DIY tiling, get a whisk attachment for your corded or cordless drill so you can properly mix your grout and mortar, be sure to seal your tile when your project is complete, and use a mortar that is self-leveling so you're starting off with a completely flat surface before you set the first piece of tile.” Grout—typically either a mixture of sand, water, cement, and color, or an epoxy base mixed with a hardener—is the filler used to seal the spaces between ceramic tiles on floors, counters, walls, or tub surrounds. Grout helps keep tiles in place but is not the same as mortar, the adhesive that actually glues tile to the underlying surface.

Don’t just use the last tub of grout you opened! For the amount a customer is investing in the entire floor, an extra pot of grout won’t make a huge difference. If using powdered grout, mix up just as much as you’ll be able to use in 20 minutes (it’ll start to harden after that). Apply a blob of your mixed powder or ready-mixed grout to a grout spreader (using a scraper or grout trowel). Use the spreader to work the grout into the lines, going over the tiles with the edge to clean off excess. 4. Clean and leave to dry Formulated for both interior and exterior use, you can also use this sealer to protect outdoor tiled surfaces on patios or around swimming pools.Use masking tape and plastic sheeting to protect your surfaces from any accidental spillages or drips. Prepare the tiles by closing the spaces between them , and wipe away any loose debris, dust or adhesive , as it may spoil your finish. If the sealer leaves any hazy or white splotches on the tile, dampen a clean cloth with a bit of the grout sealer, and wipe the area until the blotch is gone. Now wipe the tile with a clean, dry cloth to remove any lingering residue.

If the grout is new, wait at least 48 hours—72 is better—before applying grout sealer. This gives the fresh grout enough time to dry completely. Otherwise, you could get cloudy or bubbled results. When it comes to grouting tools, size is an important factor to keep in mind because if a grouting tool isn't the correct size it may lead to inefficiencies on big jobs or could prevent you from working in tight spaces. If sealing old grout, be sure it’s as clean as possible before resealing it. Otherwise, you’ll trap dirt and stains beneath the sealer. The best way to start building your grouting arsenal is with a whole grouting kit that provides everything you need to get going. These kits will often come with an assortment of floats, containers, bags, and pads necessary to contain and spread the grout evenly onto the work surface. The Barwalt Ultra Grouting System takes the top spot since it is a reliable and affordable kit for beginners and advanced users alike. According to the company, this system can cut down your work time by as much as 50 percent; that's a lot of time you could be spending doing something else.

Tool the grout lines

At UK Pro Tiling Training, we train our students to become efficient tilers and credible in the trade. Tilers who have trained with us will know exactly how to grout a floor. If a high traffic area or area that will get damp regularly use a grout that is water resistant, waterproof or specially made for bathrooms.

Grouting is an important final step in the tiling process , often bringing the whole look together. If you’ve ever wondered how to grout tiles, then you’ll be happy to hear that it is an easy and simple process – all you need is this guide and the right grouting tools for the job . Now it’s time to start grouting your tiles. Place a small amount of grout onto the wall or floor tiles with a squeegee or a grout float , at a 45 ° angle . Spread the grout firmly into the joints, using upward and diagonal strokes in an S-like motion , until you have filled in the gaps between the tiles. Pour or ladle a puddle of grout onto the tiled surface. It’s easiest to work across the surface from left to right. If grouting a tiled floor, start at the furthest corner of the room and work toward the doorway. Note: the time intervals for applyinggrout, wiping off excessgroutand polishing/buffing tiles during thegroutingprocess can vary dramatically dependent upon the temperature, humidity, type of tile beinggrouted, type ofgroutbeing used, width of tile joint and other factors so it is importanttostart on a small inconspicuous areatoassess the likely curing times for each process.' Can you put tile grout over old grout? Start by mixing up your grout. Most come as a powder you mix with water; follow the manufacturer’s directions exactly—don’t add more or less water than called for.Of course, you can also use this easy-to-apply, fast-drying grout sealer spray on existing grout. It won't change the appearance or leave haze on the surrounding tile, whether that's natural stone, ceramic or porcelain tile, or masonry. As a bonus, the product sprays on without much over-spray and requires very little cleanup. In our opinion, it is imperative that professional tilers are 100% confident when grouting tiles before agreeing to lay a customer’s floor. While the specifics can vary, as a general rule, grout sealer is dry enough to walk on within two or three hours of application. However, it can take up to 48 hours for the sealer to cure completely, so wait a couple of days before allowing heavy traffic on your newly sealed tile floor, taking a shower or bath in a freshly sealed tub, or putting your just-sealed countertops to heavy use.

Let the sealer dry for the time recommended by the manufacturer. This is typically anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour. Don’t overlook the following guidelines on how to put grout between tiles! Make sure the old grout is removed (if re-grouting an existing tiled floor)When spreading the grout into the joins and removing any excess grout from the tiles, make sure you’re holding the grout float at somewhere between 45 to 90 degrees. With pre – mixed grout, simply stir the mixture in the tub until it has a smooth consistency, similar to toothpaste. Control is key for any type of DIY project, which is why it's necessary to consider the type of handle and whether it has any padding to improve user comfort or a textured grip for enhanced control. While applying grout sealer isn’t difficult, it can be a bit tedious if you have a large area to cover. Still, it shouldn’t take more than a couple of hours at most to finish the task. Always read the specific product application directions before applying sealer, but as a general guideline this is how the job is done. Wipe excess sealer off the tiles, unless you are using a product meant to seal both grout and tile.