The final stage of laying tiles is grouting. In this article we will talk about how to make grout, what role it plays and what is needed for this work.
The joints between the tiles are the spaces at the junctions of different fragments. Their width can vary from 2 to 5 mm. The width of the seam is determined by the width of the tile; the larger it is, the wider the seam.
The resulting space is filled with special grout. There are several reasons for this:
The quality of the composition affects the final result.
When choosing, the following factors must be taken into account: 
Color. The chosen color affects the final result, whether it will be beautiful or not. You can select individual elements or to emphasize a certain pattern, the grout can be contrasting. If you want to create a monolithic picture, the color of the grout should match the tile. There are no restrictions in this matter, it all depends on personal preference and vision of the final result.
Properties and composition. This is another one important point, to which attention is drawn. The composition may contain different components, for example, epoxy resin, Portland cement, alabaster, gypsum, etc. The composition depends on the purpose of the grout.
If the tile grouting is carried out in a very damp room, then the grout should be water-repellent. If we're talking about O floor cladding, then the mixture must be resistant to abrasion and contain the appropriate components.
Purpose. Be sure to make an individual choice for floor and wall tiles. Wall mixture is not suitable for the floor, since under heavy load it will quickly wear out and will need updating. The floor requires a tenacious mixture.
Having chosen a suitable mixture for grout joints, we will consider the basic rules for its preparation. An easy way to avoid mistakes is to follow the instructions on the package.
The manufacturer indicates the proportions in which the dry mixture should be mixed with water. If you bought ready solution, then it does not need cooking, except that you should just stir it. 
If the proportions are not observed when mixing the dry mixture, the mass may turn out to be too liquid. As a result, it will flow out of the joint. If it is too thick, it is unlikely that you will be able to make a high-quality grout.
Important! Failure to comply with the proportions leads to a decrease in the quality and strength of the grout.
In most cases, there is about 300 ml of water per 1 kg of dry mixture. The liquid should be room temperature. With these proportions, the mixture will have the consistency of sour cream. This mixture is easy to work with. You won't need to put in much effort.
The entire work process consists of several successive stages:
For work, prepare the following set of items:
If the grout is diluted, place a small portion on the surface of the tile with a rubber spatula. To evenly distribute the mortar into the seams, use a rectangular trowel or a regular rubber spatula. 
The correct sequence of actions when grouting tiles - expert advice
Hold the spatula at an angle of 30° and distribute the grout diagonally between the seams. Go over the surface of the tile with a spatula three times.
The mixture should fill the existing cladding joints well. The higher the density, the better. If installed on the corners decorative corner, then grout is also placed in the existing cracks.
note
The grout is distributed gradually over the entire area. First fill the joints in an area of 2 m2 and gradually move forward.
Don't make a big batch right away. The mixture may set, especially if you are not yet skilled at this work. During this work, spaces near sockets, heated towel rail mounts and other plumbing elements must be filled.
Many people decide to simplify their task and use a special grout bag. The principle of its operation resembles a pastry bag. A tip is attached to the end of the bag. The width of the tip should match the gap between the tiles.
After this, the grouting mass is prepared and poured into the bag. Next, through the hole, the mixture is squeezed directly into the joint between the tiles.
Before doing this, point the tip directly to the joint. As you squeeze out the grout, move the bag until the seam is completely filled.
First, fill the horizontal seams, and then vertically. It is necessary to squeeze out the solution in larger portions than may seem necessary. The composition will still be compacted.
There shouldn't be any problems when working on the wall. The essence of working with tile joints on the floor is almost the same. We will look at several nuances. 
Simplification of work is achieved by using a construction float, which has a rubber pad. At arm's length, spread the grout with sweeping movements.
To achieve the desired result, the mixture should be slightly thinner. This method is only possible when laying smooth tiles. If the surface is textured and has protrusions, then the mixture will fill all the pores. Afterwards you will have to spend a lot of time cleaning the tiles.
Important! When it comes to processing floor tiles, be sure to choose those compounds that are resistant to possible stress.
One common problem is cracking of the seams between tiles. Most often, this problem is characteristic of cement-based compositions.
There can be many reasons for this, for example:
If a crack is discovered, it should be repaired immediately. Water can have a negative effect on tile adhesive and substrate. This may cause mold to form. 
There are several ways to get rid of cracks. For example, completely unstitch the seams and refill them with a new mixture. If there are cracks in initial stage, then take the dry mixture and thoroughly rub it into the seams.
It is more effective to prevent this problem. The preparation of the mixture must be in accordance with existing proportions. The solution should have medium viscosity. After kneading, let the mixture sit for up to 5 minutes, and then re-mix and work with it.
note
During the drying process, it is unacceptable to ventilate the room or turn on the heating for quick drying. The grout should dry in the most natural temperature environment possible.
Conclusion
So, here we are, learning how to grout tile joints. We looked at the technology of this process and how to implement everything correctly. We hope this material was useful to you. In conclusion, we suggest watching a master class on grouting clinker floor tiles:
Having finished laying tiles in the kitchen, you proceed to the next stage of work. This is grouting ceramic tiles. This step is very important, and if you know how to grout the seams on the tiles correctly, you will be able to hide some installation defects. If the grout is done poorly, it will ruin even the perfect tile installation.
Modern technology laying tiles involves grouting the joints final stage works
Make sure the tile adhesive is completely dry before you begin grouting. The tile seams should be thoroughly cleaned of debris and dirt, and all remaining separators (crosses) should be removed. Some manufacturers claim that crosses can be left in the seams and covered with grout. But craftsmen do not advise doing this, since the layer of grout above the cross will be thinner, which means its color will be different, which can ruin appearance seam
If you were working with glazed tiles, you can start grouting right away. If the tile is unglazed, the top and lateral surface Each tile needs to be moistened. This is done so that the unglazed surface does not absorb moisture from the grout. You can moisten the surface of the tiles using a garden sprayer. The main thing is not to overdo it with moisturizing, because puddles of water remaining on the surface of the tiles or in the seams can damage the grout, and it will subsequently begin to crack. To dispel your doubts about grouting unglazed tiles, it is better to consult grout manufacturers.
There are two main types of grouting materials - mixtures based on epoxy resin and cement. When choosing a grout material for tiles, do not confuse it with elastomer sealing compounds that fill the joints building materials. For example, a silicone seal. It is indeed used for tiles, but not for joints, but to fill voids when laying tiles on another surface. Craftsmen do not recommend using silicone sealant for tile joints.
In addition to epoxy resin, they contain a hardener, which makes tile joints resistant to chemicals. This is a rather expensive grout, so it is usually used for commercial and production premises. It is not very convenient to work with it - the grout is viscous. If the width of the seams between the tiles is less than 6 mm, and the thickness of the tile itself is no more than 12 mm, then the epoxy resin-based grout will not penetrate the seams; they are very narrow for it.
This is a dry mixture that must be diluted with water or liquid latex before use. They also sell ready-made ones, already bred in the required proportion cement grouts, but they are more expensive. Cement-based grouts differ in the additives that are included in the material. Thus, there are three types of cement grout: dry hardener, latex mixture and industrial cement. Important: such grouts can cause irritation and inflammation of the eyes, and have a negative effect on the skin and lungs. Therefore, use respirators, rubber gloves and safety glasses while working.
The cement-based grout is carefully distributed, filling all the empty spaces between the tiles
Using a sealant, craftsmen pursue two goals: to protect the seams and the ceramic tiles themselves from stains, and to protect the seams from excessive moisture absorption. So that stains do not appear on the surface of unglazed tiles, the cladding is coated with a liquid transparent sealant. Most sealants are made from varnish, acrylic or silicone. When choosing a sealant, consider the type of tile and grout you are using.
Most craftsmen use Atlas, Ceresit, and Hercules grouts. Please note that the seams should be darker than the background of the tile. This way the strictness of the geometry is emphasized, and the dirt that inevitably accumulates in the seams over time will not be so noticeable.
When grouting seams with white grout, be prepared for the fact that yellow plaque, and it cannot always be cleaned with detergents. If the seams are covered with dark-colored material, use detergents once every 2-3 months. But grout is a mixture of cement with mineral additives that will fade over time. The darker the color of your grout, the longer the color will remain pristine.
Grouting the tile joints is done using a small rubber spatula.
If you have never seen how ceramic tile grouting is done, a video from the Internet will help you get an idea of the work process. It includes several stages: mixing the grout, keeping the solution for a certain time for better wetting, followed by re-mixing the grout, distributing the solution, cleaning the seams from excess grout.
The choice of grout for tiles is quite large in terms of price, color, and quality.
Prepare everything you need for work. You will need:
After the grout has been diluted in the required proportion, place a mound of grout on the surface of the tile (if you are grouting tile joints on the floor, you can simply lay out the grout from a bucket, and if you are working on a wall, use a rectangular trowel). A grout float is best for distributing grout.
The grout float should be held diagonally - this way the solution will be distributed over the surface more evenly
It should be held at an angle of 30 degrees to the tile and grout should be applied diagonally. Run the float over the surface of the tile 2-3 times, but don’t just cover the tile with grout, but try to rub it into the seams and press with force. The seam must be tightly filled with mortar. The stronger the resistance, the more the seam will be filled, which means it will be tighter. The main idea of grouting tile joints is to fill all the corners and voids around the tile from bottom to top. During the grouting process, the liquid will leave the grout joint, so the material will harden and the joints will be filled with particles of cement and sand.
You should not grout the entire surface at once. First, spread the material over a small area no larger than 1-2 square meters. This way you can evaluate how quickly the grout sets and understand how often you will have to stop work and clean the joints.
A grout bag is a very convenient and practical tool for performing a simple but important operation.
If you are working on a surface that is difficult to clean, using a grout bag is recommended. It works like a piping bag for finishing cakes. A metal tip is attached to its end, the width of which is approximately the same as that of the grout joint. The bag is filled with grout and squeezed into the seam through the tip.
When working with the bag, place the tip in top part seam and move it back and forth until the seam is completely filled. To effectively fill, work along the entire length of the joint rather than around individual tiles. First fill horizontal and then vertical seams. You should squeeze out a little more grout than you think is necessary, because after the first setting, you should compact the grout into the seam using a piece of smooth metal tube, the diameter of which is larger than the width of the seam, or jointing. After the compressed grout has set in the joint (this takes about half an hour), the excess should be removed with a stiff brush.
Once you have grouted all the joints, use a float to remove any excess grout. It should be held at right angles to the tile and moved diagonally relative to the surface of the joints. If you move vertically or horizontally, the edge of the tool can ruin some seam, removing part of the grout from it. After dry removing all excess grout, allow the joints to set before wet grouting.
How long should it take after finishing dry grouting? It varies greatly from installation to installation. Sometimes it takes 25-30 minutes, and sometimes five is enough. The drying speed of the grout depends on the adhesive, tile, and type of base. They play an important role weather.
Working with a damp sponge is a mandatory stage of work, which will return the tiles’ shine, gloss and original color.
Remains of grout on the surface of ceramic tiles sometimes dry out quite quickly, while the grout in the seams remains wet for a long time. Use a very damp sponge to evaluate. With its help you can test small area surfaces. If the grout has set very quickly, wet removal of the grout will be labor intensive. The material in the seams should be dense and elastic, but not hard. If the grout from the seams stretches behind your damp sponge, it has not yet set enough, you will have to wait a few more minutes. Start cleaning when the grout remains in place.
If too much time has passed from grouting the joints to wet grouting, you can remove the dried-on excess using a special abrasive float. It does not leave scratches on the tile surface.
To wet grout tile joints, you will need a bucket of water and a sponge. First, use a sponge to quickly remove most of the grout. Make it soft circular movements sponge, gradually removing sand and cement particles. Make sure that there are no grooves in the seams. Rinse the sponge from time to time and wring it out well.
To obtain an ideal result, the seams are given the same shape and depth
Inspect the grout joints and smooth them out if necessary using a jointer (a wooden stick with a sharpened end). It is very important to give the seams the same depth and shape.
When all the seams are level, the surface of the tiles should be cleaned again. This is done with a sponge, which must be constantly rinsed in water and wrung out well. The purpose of this cleaning is to remove all grout residue from the tile surface. After this, the seams should dry for 15 minutes.
Sealant can be used to cover both the tile and the grout once the tile joints have completely hardened. If you are covering only the seams, use a small brush; if you are covering both tile and grout, use a small roller.
Treating seams with sealant will increase their resistance to mechanical and chemical influences
After completing the work, place a sheet of plywood on the tile and prohibit household members from walking on it until the grout is completely dry. Some types of grout dry within two weeks, to avoid damaging the joints, check the required drying time in the manufacturer's instructions.
High-quality tile installation does not guarantee its long service life. Therefore very important stage grouting of joints between ceramic products. It is this final step that directly determines the final quality of the work done, the appearance of the composition, its operational capabilities, as well as durability. In addition, it is necessary to take into account the characteristics of the room where the tiles are installed, for example, in the bathroom or kitchen.
The seams between tiles are the gap or distance at the junction from one ceramic element to another. There are certain and generally accepted standards, according to which the tile laying technology is carried out. The gap left between the parts is approximately 2 to 5 mm. However, these indicators take into account only the average parameters of the tile, and the larger it is, the wider the seams should remain.
This approach contains a rational grain, which is due to a purely practical aspect. In addition, it is necessary to sand the seam in the bathroom to prevent the penetration of moisture, which is detrimental to the base of the bathroom floor. As a result, it is the seams that are responsible for the condition and for how long the shower room will remain. Here are some more advantages of proper grouting:
The seam must be rubbed correctly so that no troubles occur during operation. To do this you need to select high-quality composition, having high characteristics. Today, this aspect is given less attention than is required, however, this can cause very sad consequences. To select a suitable mixture, it is worth selecting according to the following parameters:
Wall joints between tiles can be treated with standard grout, special grout, or using varnish. After a certain period of time, the bathroom coating loses its quality, so you should choose a special mixture characterized by reliable adhesion of the composition to the surfaces. Thus, a composition with a loose structure is not suitable here.
For the removal of seams, mixtures packaged at the enterprise are usually used. On the one hand, it is very convenient, fast, and the selection takes a minimum of time, and is carried out for each specific case. In addition, being in its original packaging, the powder, unlike liquid solutions or varnish, can be stored for quite a long time. After all, it is not always possible to calculate the first time required quantity material. Therefore, the mixture is poured in gradually, adjusting the thickness of the solution.
On the other hand, manufacturing companies offer ready-made and packaged formulations in special containers. Weak side This method of application means that it is impossible to store opened packages, i.e. you will have to use the entire mass or throw away the amount of grout that is not useful. Thus, mixing the composition for joints yourself is much more profitable than purchasing finished products.
Nowadays, making grout with your own hands is quite simple. An alabaster blank and a certain amount of water will do. Some time after stirring, a white substance forms and is applied to the seam. However, when drying, the mass may crumble, which makes it impossible to use on a long-term basis. Silicone, gypsum additives or varnish will not radically change the situation.
Worth knowing! To prepare high-quality grout, it is best to have the necessary experience. Otherwise, the resulting mass will be of poor quality, which will lead to it crumbling after drying. It may be better to turn to the purchased option.
In order to properly grout the seams between the tiles, you need to prepare the following list of tools:
When filling a container with water, you need to add in small portions grout solution. For this task you will need a medium-sized container, with the exception of when working with large volumes. The mixture is brought to a homogeneous state and applied to the surface with a trowel or spatula. It goes something like this:
Need to know! Rubbing seams on the wall and floor has certain differences. For example, the wall surface should be treated from top to bottom, with the sealant applied last. Flooring filled from the far corner to the exit, similar to laying tiles.
Allow the bath to dry for 24 hours, then re-treat protective equipment, directed against exposure, rot, mold, fungus. This will significantly reduce the risk of various microorganisms for the most vulnerable areas. One way or another, moisture will accumulate on the surface of the bathroom floor; naturally, for it, the seam on the tiles will be like a river bed. Thus, to complete the job, all that remains is to simply apply epoxy resin.
After the bathroom has acquired its final appearance, it is necessary to take care of the attractive appearance of the room. You can use a grout marker tile joints to remove traces of putty. Usually the surface is rubbed down in 2-3 approaches; if the mastic has not yet completely dried, cleaning is postponed until it is completely dry.
Remains of the solution on the ceramics are removed using water and a spatula. Wet the excess and then carefully scrape it off with a scraper. The remaining stains are eliminated damp cloth or a sponge. If the tile has a ribbed or uneven surface, then cleaning is carried out with a toothbrush. At the final stage, it is better to use a glass cleaner that polishes the surface well.
Need to know! It is necessary to clean the mastic that has not yet completely hardened, otherwise it will be very difficult to soak it, and for products with a relief surface this becomes very difficult.
Caring for bathroom ceramics, for obvious reasons, differs from ordinary room. Approximately once every two months it is necessary to carry out thorough cleaning using special detergents or folk ones in the form of lemon, vinegar, soap and others. Bleaching is carried out using hydrogen peroxide and soda. They cope well with harmful microorganisms, dirt and fungus.
The very first thing is to ensure moisture resistance of the entire plane. After all, tiles are used to lay surfaces in rooms where there is constantly high humidity or where water flows frequently. Therefore, splashes, fumes, etc. And if floor tiles, then the floors are constantly washed. Therefore, water will get under the tile covering.
Secondly, there are no tiles that are perfectly square or have right angles, so there will be gaps at the joints in any case.
Third, the tiles cannot be laid “very close” one to one. There is such a thing as temperature increase. Dense laying leads to deformation of the plane and, as a consequence, “swelling” of the entire “masonry”.
First of all, it is necessary to keep in mind the difference between sealant and sealant (grout). Specific grout is used for seams. There are several types of it, and the difference is in the base: it is either cement (with additives) or epoxy. In everyday life, it is better to use cement-based grout. They are easier to work with and cheaper.
Be sure to use the manufacturer's recommendation. Different compositions require your own know-how. It is better to purchase the composition in dry form, it is much cheaper. You need to naturally find out what to dilute with: water or latex (liquid). Dry polymer compositions Mix only with water!
There should not be a lot of water in the grout, otherwise the quality of the entire work will suffer. Grout is added to water, and not vice versa. The resulting composition must be plastic and very easily distributed over the plane.
If there is a strong desire to obtain an imitation of outdated masonry, additional work is carried out.
This video demonstrates grouting joints between ceramic tiles on walls. Look if you collected...
Tiles are a beautiful and practical covering for floors and walls, but only if all the rules for laying and grouting are followed. Sloppy work can ruin both the appearance of the bathroom and the kitchen.
It is believed that sealing seams is enough simple work and does not require any special skills. However, a beginner should learn a few rules in order to be able to do the job efficiently.
To make a tile floor look attractive and last a long time, you should choose the right grout mixture for processing tile joints. Epoxy, cement or polymer grouts have their advantages, disadvantages and, of course, characteristic features.
The positive side of using epoxy grout is that acid and alkali do not affect it in any way. The protective qualities of such a mixture are quite high, so its use is quite acceptable for places where high requirements to comply with sanitary and hygienic standards.
Also read materials:
To obtain this type of grout, you must mix epoxy resin with a hardener. Sand is quite suitable as a necessary hardener. It can be pre-painted in the color that suits you best way will fit to realize the design idea.
If necessary, remove this type of putty from ceramic surface must be carried out within the first 24 hours after finishing work with it. Otherwise, it will be extremely difficult to wash it off. Special compounds are used to clean tiles.
Sealing cement mortar most common. The main advantage of this method is its ease of preparation. It is enough to pour the dry mixture into a container with water and stir continuously. When the homogeneity of the mass is achieved, leave the mixture for 5 minutes and then mix well again.
The surface dries after applying this putty in about 20–30 minutes. When the raid already appeared white, then clean it with a damp foam grater. The cleaning process must be done in a diagonal direction. After 3-4 hours, you should walk over the surface with a damp cloth.
Cement grout can be used to seal the seams between tiles, whether covered or not covered with enamel. But for sensitive marble or glazed tiles, this method of sealing is not recommended.
The color of cement grout can be gray or white, and it can be combined with cement-sand mortars.
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The main advantages of this type of putty are:
Compared to epoxy putty, polymer putty is less durable. Therefore, in order to at least slightly increase the durability of grout with a polymer base, liquid polymers are added to the solution. Color solution This type of putty can be varied.
A pencil marker can sometimes be used to seal seams between tiles. The solution contained in this marker destroys the fungus and prevents its appearance.
Preparatory work:
You can seal tile joints using:
Putty putty is the most commonly used type. When pressing the mortar between the tiles with a rubber spatula, you need to use a little force. Thus, the quality of the seam will directly depend on the strength and density of application of the solution.
The fear that the tile will be smeared must be removed, since after the work done, any tile goes through a washing process. During the process of sealing the joints, immediately remove the remaining mortar with a spatula and apply it to the untreated tile array.
The duration of the putty process should not be longer than 10–20 minutes. It is recommended to apply the mixture at an angle of 30 degrees and diagonally. After you have managed to cover all the seams, you should wipe them with a foam sponge, which is thoroughly and often rinsed and squeezed out well.
A grouting bag can be used on a surface that will be difficult to clean after work. A tip the size of the width of the seam itself is attached to its end.
When working with a grout bag, you need to place the tip at the beginning of the seam and move it along the edge, gradually filling the seam along its entire length. You need to use a bag to fill all the gaps between the tiles located horizontally, and then proceed to the vertical ones.
At the end of the whole process, it may be necessary to unstitch the seams. Jointing involves the process of eliminating excess mortar protruding above the level of the general mass. This procedure is done with the aim of giving tiled surface aesthetics, as well as for preparing seams for painting.
The jointing procedure can be done with the pointed end of a toothbrush. wooden wedge, rubber grater or special spatula.
After you have managed to cover all the seams, the final stage begins - removing excess mortar. In order to remove excess mixture using the dry method, you need a grater. Begin cleaning by holding the tool almost at a right angle, moving it diagonally in relation to the seam.
When dry removal is completed, proceed to wet cleansing of excess. Before starting this procedure, you need to let the seams dry for 5-20 minutes. And only when the seams have hardened, treatment is carried out with a damp sponge. If used epoxy grout, then the excess is removed using special means.
Remember that correctly selected grout and full compliance with the rules for its application is not only a beautiful appearance, but also a long service life. Be confident in your abilities, study the theory and feel free to start practicing.
