Grout is an essential material when it comes to tile flooring. You can’t think of a tile surface without having grout applied.
The application of grout is easy when you know how to do it. This needs some easy-to-buy tools and a bit of work.
In this article, we are giving you an in-depth idea of how to grout tile floors. This is an all-in-one solution, so no matter where you are planning to grout, you are covered.
You’ll learn to grout in the shower, kitchen, floor, and uneven tiles. We have included a video tutorial at the end of the post as well. So, let’s get started.
Why Do You Need To Grout Tile?
Tiles do not come in a single slab for the whole room. You have to lay down tiles one by one maintaining a queue.
Since the tiles are fragile, you have to maintain a certain gap in between two tiles. To fill up the gap and protect the growth of mold, applying grout is a must.
Grout prevents moisture from going under the tiles and is an effective filler for the corners. You can’t have a smooth corner without applying grout. It also increases the beauty of your interior with versatile colors.
Things Needed To Grout Floor Tile
- Pack of Grout
- Trowel
- Float
- Putty knife
- Sponge
- Bucket with water
Step By Step Guide on How To Grout Tiles in Kitchen and Shower
Follow these easy steps to have a perfectly finished interior. Carefully gather all the essentials before you proceed as proceeding without the necessary supplies can ruin all your effort.
Estimated Time: 48 Hours
Estimated Cost: 100 USD
1. Choose Perfect Grout
There are four types of grout available right now. These types come with different materials for use on specific surfaces. Here is a quick look at the grout types.
- Unsanded Grout
- Sanded Grout
- Quarry-sanded grout
- Epoxy Grout
Here, unsanded grouts are for the slight gaps of 1/8 inch, sanded grouts are effective in 3/8 inch gaps and quarry sanded grouts are used in ½ inch gaps. You can choose the grout by measuring the gaps you are using between the tiles.
And the last one, Epoxy grout is made of a special kind of resin that is highly moisture and stain-resistant. This is convenient to use in the kitchen.
So, Choosing the best grout for your work is an important task!
2. Choose The Grout Color
You have to pick a color that is the same as the tiles. Generally, matched color grouts look great when applied.
Check the color of the packaging and also verify the color whether it remains in the same color when dried.
3. How To Mix The Grout
Now that you have picked the perfect grout with your preferred color, you have to mix the grout with water. Each grout packs come with mixing instructions, so you have to follow that for this process.
Generally, you have to take a bucket with water (you will find the measurement in the pack). Mix the water and the grout powder with a mixer.
Considering the power and rotation of the mixer, you should mix the grout for 3 to 5 minutes.
4. Apply Grout With Trowel
Take a trowel and apply grout with it. Start with the corners first. Otherwise, when you spread the grouts with the float, the corners will be filled externally; but internally, a gap will remain there.
So, start with all corners and then apply from one side to the other side of the surface.
The application of sanded grout and unsanded grout is the same, so you do not need to worry about the type when applying.
5. Use a Grout Float to Spread
Take a grout float at a 45-degree angle and spread the grout all over the surface. You don’t need to press the grout hard against the surface. Use mild pressure to spread and ensure that the grout is well placed in the gaps.
6. Wash the Surface With Sponge
After you finish spreading the grout all over the surface, you should now see the surface covered with grout haze.
You need to remove the excess grouts that are curing on the tile. Before the grouts on the tiles are attached firmly, you have to remove them with a sponge.
If you wait for long before cleaning the grout, then it can take a while for you to remove the excess. So, hurry up! A bucket of water and a sponge will do the work unless you wait for long.
7. Use A Finisher Tool (Optional)
If you want, you can use a finisher tool to make a curvy design in the tiles. Doing this will increase the risk of getting dust stuck on the surface.
So, keep that in mind when doing it.
8. Allow Grouts To Cure
If you have followed all the above steps perfectly, you should now see a clean surface shining in front of you.
Generally, you should be able to use the surface after a day but it is wise to allow the grouts to cure for a day more.
How to reGrout Tile Floors?
Though the procedures in the new grout application and regrouting are the same, you need to do some pre-work before you start following the above steps.
1. Clean The Surface
Start with the cleaning process. You need to clean the tile surface before anything else when you are planning to regrout on an existing floor.
It will allow the new grouts to firmly attach to the surface and give a shiny look when regrouting is finished.
2. Wear Safety Equipment
You have to wear safety goggles, masks, and eyeglasses for your safety. Wear a full sleeve shirt and full pants for minimizing the exposed area of the body.
3. Remove Old Grout
The most important task of the whole process is to safely remove the old grouts. If you fail to do a perfect job here, you will end up breaking the tiles. So, you have to be careful.
You’ll need some tools that can help you to remove the old grouts from the surface.
- Grout removal tool (rotary or oscillating tools are preferred)
- A Screwdriver
- A Utility Knife
- Shop-Vacuum
Now, loosen up the grouts from the surface with a grout removal tool. There are a lot of types of such removal tools. You can use one of your choices. But I prefer oscillating tools.
Remove grouts from the gaps using a flat-headed screwdriver. Use the utility knife where the grouts are not coming out with the screwdriver.
The knife will also help you to reach very tiny gaps that the screwdriver can’t access.
Use a shop vacuum to remove the dust at its source.
4. Ready The Surface To Regrout
Now, it is time to make your surface ready to regrout. Use the shop vacuum to remove all the specks of dust. Take the help of a sponge and a bucket of water to remove any haze on the tile surface.
The surface is ready to shine!
Things to Remember When Grouting Shower Tile
Grouting is a thing that needs the same procedure everywhere. But when grouting shower tile, you need to consider things like moisture and gaps of the tiles.
In the shower, the less the gap the better. And pick a grout pack that is specially made for the shower. So that it protects mold growth and stains for a long time.
Kitchen Backsplash Grouting Tips
Whether you grout countertop or backsplash of a kitchen, epoxy grouts are best. These are stain and moisture-resistant which prevents hassle for an extended period.
Kitchen tiles are also should be placed nearer than the tiles placed in other places. Less width in gaps means less space for moisture or stains to stick.
How to Grout Uneven Tile?
In uneven tile placement, all you can do is try to even the tile with the grout. This can only happen with choosing a perfect tile color that is related to two uneven tiles.
All the steps are the same as the normal grouting in uneven tiles also. But you should grout carefully here.
Please keep in mind that, you should not break or add a tile slab to even up the tiles. This will not solve the problem rather can injure you when you will not aware of it in the future.
Conclusion
Applying grout perfectly is an art. This needs so much patience and work. You can’t buy some tools and do things without knowing the full procedure.
This article on how to grout was meant to help beginners who are trying to help themselves.
I believe this will help you to learn how to mix grout and apply it. Since we have covered the topic “how to regrout tiles”, you do not need to go anywhere to find this.