Keeping the tool trade local
A quality grout mix, combined with a good application technique will help give your tiles the perfect finish, whether you’re adding tiles to your bathroom wall, or creating a vibrant kitchen splashback. Grout also helps to protect your tiles from moisture and dirt, so it’s important it’s done properly – and we’re here to help make sure that happens with our handy guide below…
What you’ll need
Before you get started, make sure you have the right tools for the job, which are all listed below. If you’re thinking of trying to tackle the tiling side of things next time, make sure you’ve got a good quality tile cutter, such as one from Vitrex.
1. Grout: You can buy this in powder form to mix with water, or pre-mixed and ready to use, just make sure you get waterproof grout for anywhere tiles will get splashed! Remember, you can also buy coloured grout to help complement your tiles, which really helps to give a beautiful finish.
2. Grout shaper
3. Cloth
4. Sponge
5. Trowel
6. Grout spreader
Before you go ahead with any work, make sure your tile adhesive is entirely dry – the time this takes depends on the product you used to fix your tiles to the wall, so it’s important to double check the manufacturer’s instructions. Once you’re happy, it’s time to get grouting!
Step 1: Press a small amount of grout onto the face of your tiles with a trowel, using the grout spreader to spread the mix around. Help force the grout into the gaps between the tiles by working diagonally, making long upward strokes. We’d recommend working across small areas at a time to avoid the grout drying before it’s properly in place, as it’s very difficult to remove once hardened.
Step 2: Once your grout is on, you’ll then need to go over the tiles with a damp sponge to remove any excess. Make sure you do this carefully, so you don’t drag any grout out from between the tiles.
Step 3: You’ll now need to leave your grout to harden slightly before finishing your work – just take a look at the manufacturer’s drying times to get an idea of how long you’ll need to wait. Once it is slightly hardened, you will need to use your grout shaper to finish off the joints and tidy up any unsightly areas. The best way to do this is to pull the grout shaper along the tile joints in one smooth continuous movement.
Step 4: Once your grouting is dry, you’ll just need to polish your tiles off with a cloth for a professional finish. Remember, if you’ve tiled around a bath for example, make sure you also seal the joint between the tiles and the bath with a flexible silicon sealant. If your joint is particularly deep, use some expanding foam before applying the sealant – making sure you have some Wonder Wipes to hand in case things go a bit pear shaped!
Before using the sealant, don't forget to fill your bath beforehand. This helps to ensure the joint is at its biggest before the sealant is added, reducing the chances of it splitting away from the wall in the future – and your hard work going to waste!