You’ve probably seen tile jobs where you can tell the grout was not done by a professional — too much here, too little there, or cracked and crumbling. Grout is an important component of making your new tile installation look amazing, and there are all kinds of colored grout options that will complement any design palette. Here are a few tips to get your grouting off to a good start and answer all of your questions, whether you’re looking for how to apply grout, how to mix grout or how to grout uneven tile.
Tools You Will Need
- Laticrete Permacolor Grout
- Laticrete Caulk
- Caulk gun
- Laticrete Stonetech Stain Protecting Grout Additive – Sealer
- Soft Cloths
- Grout float
- Sponge
Getting Started with Grout
With grout, it is extremely important to ensure that you do not have color inconsistency when mixing. That means creating small batches that are very uniform and using them quickly will produce the best long-term effects. The real key to this is to use a quality product. Laticrete’s cement-based permacolor grout is a top of the line product. It is a partially sanded grout that fits 1/16” to a ½” joint, ideal for almost any floor or wall, including polished marble and even glass tile. It is consistent in color, has anti-microbial technology, and is used for both interior and exterior applications.
- Before starting, remove any tile spacers and thinset in tile joints. Ensure that the tile mortar has had sufficient drying time.
- Thoroughly mix grout with Laticrete Stonetech Stain Protecting Grout Additive instead of water. This will seal your grout without adding an additional step to your process. Mix until a peanut butter consistency and apply slightly less than a half-gallon to an area of approx 3’ x 3’ section of your tiles.
- Using a 45-degree angle on your grout float, spread the grout between the joints.
- Remote any excess grout by taking a diagonal pass across the tile with the float.
- Once the grout has hardened for a few minutes, use your damp sponge in a circular pattern to carefully remove excess grout. Make sure to wring out the sponge as much as possible. Excess water during the clean up can remove pigment from the grout causing the color to become lighter. Replenish clean water often.
- Remove any excess “haze” with a damp cloth followed by a dry buff once the grout has had time to harden.
- Repeat as needed until the area is complete.
Tile floors “float” a bit, making it important to use caulk around the edge of the floors or walls of your tile project. Laticrete Caulk comes in various colors to match the grout and helps ensure that your tiles are able to naturally expand or contract without cracking, providing a flexible buffer to keep everything looking terrific.
We hope these grouting tips help you with your next DIY project. Still feeling overwhelmed? Contact the pros at Standard Tile by scheduling a free appointment online and we will help you each step of the way. Our full line of tile has a variety of options for every room in your home.