subject: Floor Tile Grouting - Mixing The Grout To The Correct Consistency [print this page] Floor tile grout comes in a wide range of colours from widespread manufacturers like Mapei for example, however normally only comes in two completely different varieties depending on your application. There's un-sanded or non-sanded grout that is ideal for grouting wall tiles, or specialist floor tiles like marble and granite which require a slender 1/eight" in. wide grout line. For everything else there is sanded grout, and this is excellent for the common and common application of ceramic floor tiling.
The only distinction between the 2 is with the addition of little particles of polymer sand grains used to thicken out the combo, like slim grout lines the use of grain particles are less suited towards tighter areas where sufficient waterproof sealing is required.
There are but as I said a large choice of colours out there to choose from, and it is normally best to pick the most effective grout color which accents the colour of the tile design. With this being said though, do try to remain faraway from light-weight grout colors. These tend to indicate visible stains a lot of therefore than darker grouts, that will be from anything like ground-in dirt to even water residue, so choose wisely when coordinating your colors.
Like mortar, tile grout is bought as a dry powder substance to that water is added and mixed to urge the correct consistency of mud. Like mortar though, there is no actual measurement or ratio of powder to water to induce the correct consistency, however as a rough starting guide you'll be able to follow the rule of 2 cups of grout to one cup of water.
Along with your water already in your mixing bucket, add your tile grout and combine thoroughly. This once more will be done using the drill and mixing paddle if available, however grout is generally mixed in much smaller quantities than mortar and also the consistency ought to be less thick, thus mixing by hand will be simply as effective and not really that tiresome.
In saying that though, grout will have a tendency to want a lot of operating-in than mortar will, so as to obtain a necessary smooth and creamy consistency. The simplest manner as perpetually though, is to start tiny if you're new to the process, to induce used to what it is you're making an attempt to achieve. The proper consistency you wish for floor tile grout differs from the thick molten lava or mashed potato characteristics of floor tile mortar. Grout needs a additional creamy soup consistency, being able to pour out of your mixing bucket while not really being sloppy, or merely simply slop out in one big lump. If it's too thick just add a little water, and if it's too skinny, then add a very little a lot of grout, but keep the additions in gradual and small doses.
To mix the grout by hand, you can use an epoxy grouting float, which is really the best tool for spreading tile grout also. There are more float tools out there for spreading, however I personally find the epoxy float to be the best methodology of giving a solid and even unfold compared to a number of the sponge floats available. Having used many of these methods in the past, I certainly wouldn't go back to them since having experienced the solid epoxy float. It might be a very little on the dear facet compared to the others, however if taken care of properly it will last you a lifetime versus sponge based mostly grouting floats.
Once you have your grout mixed to the proper consistency, before laying and spreading into your grout lines forever permit it to own a settling period between mixes to ensure a good chemical bonding, just as with floor tile mortar. First combine the grout for roughly five to 10 minutes, then let it sit for roughly 5 to ten minutes, and then provide it one final combine for 2 minutes before truly applying it to the tiled floor.
