tile grouting?

Question

Can anyone give some advice on wall tile grouting.
I have tried various methods. Squeegee, grout float,finger, plastic tool.
Also I find when you wipe down with a sponge or cloth it usually disturbes the grout anyway.

Should I leave it a certain amount of time between putting the grout in and going around with a sponge? But not so long for it to dry?

I also have trouble getting a nice smooth finish to the grout.

Answer 1

go to a tile shop and ask them to sell you some of the grout that their tilers use ... this is normally a better quality grout than you can buy from the local chains like b and q ..i use it all the time ....i use a squeegee type applicator ..get as much off as you can with this ..then leave to dry for about 10 Min's ..then a damp sponge...wear a rubber glove and run you r finger down the joints ....then polish off with a dry towel

Answer 2

Use a plastic or painters scraper to put the grout on, making sure you don't leave any air bubbles underneath. (Work towards where the next tile will be.)

Leave for an hour then use a damp sponge or soft cloth, to wipe away excess grout - diagonally across the tiles.
This will not disturb the infills and can even fill up small 'missed' hollows.

Once done, use a wet finger along the joins to get the smooth finish.

When the grout has totally dried, leave overnight, use a wet finger along the joins to finish things off.

You will also find that for several days after finishing, there will be remnants of grout 'dust' still coming off the tiles.

Answer 3

Make sure the tile cement is cleaned out between the tiles first. Also check that your tile grout is mixed right and that it is like toothpaste. Apply the tile grout thoroughly in the gap until it is even with the edges. After about 5 to 15 minutes and depending on the gap size use a wet sponge or your finger and slide it over the grout to make it smooth. Don't worry about tile grout on the tile itself it can be rubbed off even if it is dry. It takes a long time to dry. Alternatively you can with a wet sponge rub the grout of the surface tiles after a hour or 2 just to clean the tiles. Tile grout needs to set before touching it again.

Answer 4

Hi,
Mix the grout in a clean container by adding the grout powder to a small measure of water a bit at a time make sure its nice and creamy, no lumps, not to stiff and just on the verge of runny.
Best bet is, to all ways use a grout float, make sure you spread across and down squeezing the grout into the joints, just keep working the grout back and forth,clean off surplus grout with the float at an angle of approx 35 deg, cover about a Sq yard at a time; Then with a sponge that is just damp(not whet) use a circular acton, just gentle work in and take off the remaining grout washing the sponge out frequently. Rub up the joints with a joint tool. Leave it to dry 1/2-1hr, then polish with a dry cloth.
Be Safe, Skew.

Answer 5

First rule is don't use ready mixed stuff it is rubbish.

Mix it yourslef and make sure it is a stiff mix then follow these instructions and you won't go far wrong-

http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/tiling/grouting.htm