Grout

Everyone love those beautiful tile floors, be it porcelain, marble or terracotta. But what makes the floor look truly finished? The grout. When the grout is finally laid is when your project begins looking like the final product and you truly begin seeing the fruits of your labor.

Grout and the process of grouting aren't too difficult, but for just starting out there are a lot of things you should know.

Choosing Your Grout

Along with different colors, grout also come in different types of grain, sanded and non-sanded. Picking which type of grain depends on what your project is. Non-sanded, for example, is more appropriate for tiles with less than 1/8" between them. The color you choose should also depend on the tile and the style you are looking for.

Starting the Process

As with most things, it is recommended to have a professional do the job, if only for the security in the knowledge that they will do the job to the best of their ability, as JP Floor Care does. If you choose to do the work yourself, make sure to be entirely prepared before beginning. You will need two buckets, one for clean water and one for the grout, stirring sticks, grout, water, a grout float, and a grout sponge. Follow the manufacturer's instructions when mixing the grout, but start by adding only 3/4 of the water recommended. This way, you can gradually reach the desired consistency for your grout rather than running right by it.

Applying the Grout

Press the grout into the spaces between the tiles with the float at a diagonal (this direction is in order to fill the line completely). Do one more swipe over the top once the line is filled in order to remove the excess. Give the grout about 15 to 30 minutes to set before wiping off the grout with the sponge and water. Remember not to push too hard or you might need to redo a grout line or two. Allow the grout to sit for three or so hours more before wiping once again with the sponge and water. Remember, we are trying to clean the grout on the tiles away, so try to keep the water as clean as possible.

Finishing

Don't worry if the next morning you walk into the space and the tiles look dirty. This is normal after a grouting. Simply grab a dry cloth and rub away the dirt. Try not to use a wet cloth, as you may reconstitute the top layer of grout and pull that all over the tiles, resulting in a similar situation as the one you walked into. Any dust on the floor can be swept up.

Last Minute Tips

Once all is said and done, it is highly recommended that you have your floor sealed. This will keep the water away from your beautiful new grout lines, and increase the longevity of the lines. If you find yourself with cracking grout lines, and choose to fix it yourself, the cracking lines must be removed. This is made easier with the use of a grout removal bit or a grout saw, but make sure to keep a steady hand. If you find the grout and tile cracking, this can be a sign of a poor foundation under the tiles, or simply age. If you find this happening, for your peace of mind, before tearing up the tiles, call a professional, see if they can give you the reasons, and see if they can fix it for you. As always, I recommend JP Floor Care for these kind of things. Kind and courteous, JP will tell you the truth all the time, and tell you multiple ways to fix the problem, so you can make an educated decision based on the multiple factors in your life