Grout Porcelain Tile Wall

Grouting tips and techniques prep work.

Grout porcelain tile wall.

Use a hard edged rubber grout float and hold it at a 45 degree angle. Lay out the tiles directly onto the area where you will install them. Begin by protecting adjacent surfaces from spilled grout using painter s tape and rosin paper or plastic sheeting. Sponge the tile and grout joints.

All forms of ceramic tile use some type of grout to fill and seal the seams between the tiles. Nominal centerline of all joints shall be straight with due allowances for hand molded or rustic tiles. Applying porcelain tile grout. Remove the plastic spacers from between the tiles using the edge of the putty knife to pop.

Mix the grout by hand. When the sponge gets covered in grout clean it in your bucket of water. Begin in the center of the wall farthest from the door with a full tile and the next tiles out evenly to each side. For tile having a total variation of 1 16 in facial dimensions a minimum of 3 16 grout joint shall be used.

Use a hydrophilic sponge if you have one. Unsanded grout is a cement grout with less than 1 8 grit. Fortunately there are a few methods that can help to remove even the most stubborn dried on grout from tiles without damaging the finish of the tile. Use a clean part of the sponge for each wipe.

Vacuum the grout lines then scrape any protruding grout using a stiff putty knife. How to grout porcelain tiles preparing to grout tiles. Generally unsanded grout is used for tile applications with narrower grout joints from 1 16 to 1 8. Roll the bucket frequently.

Spread the material in sweeping arcs pressing it into the joints to fill them completely. Scoop up a trowel full of grout and starting at one corner of the room press it into. The additional structure of sanded grout is needed for wider grout joints from 1 8 to 5 8 and some even can go as wide as 1. Pour a quart to half gallon of grout on the tiles.

Don t wait longer than about 20 minutes before you clean the tiles. Mix the grout with a margin trowel until all the powder is dissolved. Start with clean joints. Whether the tile is traditional ceramic porcelain or a quarry tile or natural stone it is critical that the seams between the tiles be adequately filled with a material that prevents moisture from seeping down to the underlayment.

In no circumstance shall the grout joint be less than 1 16. You can purchase one at a home improvement store.