There’s no doubt that grouting is a necessary step in any tiling project, but it can also be tricky. If you don’t do it right, you could end up with a messy and uneven floor or wall. Here are some tips to help you grout like a pro!
Allow the grout to slake
It’s tempting to skip this step, but it’s important to let the grout set for 10 minutes after mixing. This step, called slaking, allows the water to completely moisten the dry ingredients. Remix the grout after the slaking period and adjust the mixture by adding a little more powder or water until you reach the viscosity of mayonnaise. Be careful, though—it doesn’t take much of either to radically change the consistency. Source: FamilyHandyman
Mix it right
Knowing how to mix grout is the step that trips a lot of people up when grouting tile. But, get your mixing right, and the whole process will be a lot easier.
First and foremost, don’t mix up too much grout at a time. The grout you mix up is only good for about half an hour anyway, so try to mix up no more than you can use in that time. Once you’re done, mix some more.
Along the same lines, avoid mixing whole bags of grout. Getting the consistency right means you might have to add more powder later. If the grout is too runny and you’ve used up your whole bag, you’ve got no way of making the mix thicker.
As for the right consistency, your grout shouldn’t drip or fall when you apply it. As a guide, aim for grout that spreads like creamy peanut butter. Source: Rubi
Grout in small areas
Apply from a quart to a half gallon of grout mixture to your tiles and get to work. Using a grout float, work the grout into the joints at a 45-degree angle. A 45-degree angle is very important, and it refers to the angle at which you hold the float. Make sweeping arcs and work the grout completely into all the joints between the tiles. You can also use your grout float to wipe away excess grout as you go. Work in sections, rather than trying to grout the entire wall or floor of tile at once. Source: ArchitecturalDigest
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