Author:
Roger Morrison
Date Of Creation:
8 September 2021
Update Date:
1 July 2024
Content
After laying a tile floor, the next step is to grout the gaps between the tiles. This job takes less time and effort than laying the tiles, but is even more important than making sure all the tiles are straight and look nice. By neatly grouting the tiles, the floor under the tiles will remain free of moisture. You will have to sit on your knees for a long time on this job, so don't overthink it.
To step
Method 1 of 2: Choose the joint mortar and mix
Wait until the joints have hardened before sealing. Read the directions on the package so you know how many days to wait. To seal joints, do the following: - Open the windows to ventilate the room well.
- Pour a small amount of sealant on the joints and wipe it in with a sponge. Make small circular movements.
- Wipe off the sealant after 5 to 10 minutes. How long you have to wait depends on the product you are using. Check the sealant packaging to be sure.
- Treat the joints with sealant every six months to a year.
Tips
- Wear knee pads when adding a tile floor. You will be on your knees on the hard tile floor for a long time. Grout with sand can be very chafing on your bare knees.
- If you placed plastic tile spacers between the tiles when laying the floor, remove them before grouting (unless the manufacturer says you can leave them in place).
- First add the walls and then the floor.
- Wear gloves when grouting the floor to protect your skin from the lime in the grout.
Necessities
- Grouting mortar
- Buckets
- Trowel
- Grouting trowel
- Large joint sponge
- Knee pads
- Drill with mixing paddle suitable for grout (a mixing paddle for paint also works well)
- Gloves
- Safety glasses
