The bathroom continues...
I have just completed a couple of metres of grouting and my grouting isn't upto scratch. Any tips?
Currently my approach is:
Am I leaving it too long? or not long enough?
Cheers Scott
Are you using a squeegee to spread the grout and press it in to the joins . If so and u r doing it properly there should be very little excess . After that use a rounded implement or grout finisher to smooth the joins then wipe the excess off then immediately wipe diagonally across the tiles with a damp sponge cleaning it regularly . A couple of hours later polish the tiles with a clean cloth . Stuart
Sounds pretty much what I did. I actually used a squeegy type spreader that worked quite well, you could force the grout into the gaps. It was basically a plasic handle with a flexible rubber trim along the bottom - think I got it from Screwfix
10mins should be OK but you'll soon get a feel for it, although again I used a sponge as this was less aggressive. I also went over the grout with a rounded tool to get a really nice, neat finishI've heard loads of people moan about grouting, but I found it a lot easier and less stressful than the tiling :)
HTH
Jim
Also meant to ask if you are using ready made grout or the powder. Personally I would always use the powder . Its chaper and can be made up to the right consistency. Nor would I use the fix 'n grout stuff . Stuart
That depends on the tiles. AND teh grout. Watreproof grout over riven slate is the biggest bitch of all.
I have personally scribbed and hand washed every square inch of around
55 square meters of the stuff at least 4 times.
Hello Scott
You don't mention what grout.
Just in case - DON'T EVER, EVER, USE A COMBINED ADHESIVE/GROUT FOR GROUTING!
Useful advice, thanks. I'm using ready mixed grout from Homebase presently, which purports to be waterproof and combined adhesive/grout. Well known make so I think it'll be okay for the adhesive part - and I'll be doing the grouting next week.
PoP
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I do quite often. Works fine really. Not as good as the real stuff, agreed. But fast for uncritical areas.
dammit! Can someone tell me why...
The grout is crap and bubbles and cracks as it drys from what I can see. It will need 2 coats...! Still the grouting tips have help so far. It is slow, but starting to look good.
Scott
Mine hasn't. I agree, as I said its not the best, but it serves. I use it when I am in a hurry - I put up the tiles and then grout as soon as they have 'grabbed' and the whole job gets done with one pot in one day.
Tend not to us it in e.g. showers where you need better water resistance etc.
You may have a useless grout (old, has been frozen, whatever).
Is the depth of the grout excessive? This will lead to shrinkage.
You should NOT use a "damp to wet" cloth. Use a new sponge (i.e. with a good, not ragged) flat surface. The sponge should be wrung out after dipping/washing to be *just* damp - you should not be able to squeeze water out of it!
You will have to go over the tiles a few times to remove all the excess and smears. Don't press too hard or you'll drag out too much grout from between the tiles.
When you've wiped the tiles off, a slight powdery residue should be all that remains on the tile surfaces. Polish this off with a damp/dry clean white cotton cloth when the grout is dry.
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