Tile floors are very popular over other types of flooring materials because of the inherent advantages of ceramic tiles. But everything is not always good with floor tiles if you consider the problems that people might encounter with respect to the layout of tiles. Tile installation problems are common, and when addressing the issues, you must keep in mind the aspects related to grout installation. This is necessary because after installing grout, it forms an inseparable entity along with the tiles. The good and bad that happen to tiles depend to a large extent on grout installation and grout material.
It is not all difficult to install grout, and many homeowners would prefer to take it up as a DIY project whether installing new tiles or replacing grout. Although professional construction workers can do it fast, you too can achieve a fair amount of satisfaction by doing a decent job. However, you must know the types of grout materials and select the one that is appropriate for you.
Choosing Grout
Unless you are using grout for some special application where you might need epoxy grout, the traditional choice is between sanded and unsanded grout. Sanded grout is stronger and more durable. To fill gaps more than 1/8-inch-wide, it is the only material of choice. Choosing the grout color is also an important decision, and you can either match the color with the overall color scheme of the place or maintain a contrasting color. Light or dark color choice depends not only on the taste and style of homeowners but also on your ability to manage the cleanliness of the place.
The process of applying grout
Prepare the mixture – Read the label instructions on the pack of grout material to know the proportion of water and grout material and follow it strictly. Place the grout in a big bucket and gradually add water to it while you keep stirring the mixture with a hard grout float. Do the final mixing after pouring the last quarter part of water into the mix. The final appearance of the mixture should be like peanut butter.
Apply the grout mixture – Use a trowel to scoop a small amount of grout and apply it to the tile floor. Start the process from the farthest corner and gradually move towards the door. Hold the float at an angle of 45 degrees to the floor and firmly press it down while applying diagonal strokes. Carry out the exercise until you cover all crevices cross the entire floor.
Excess grout removal – There is likely to be excess grout on the surface that you must remove by wiping it with a moist sponge. Be careful to keep the sponge just moist by squeezing it to drive away excess water before rubbing it on grout just as you do to wipe out stains.
Ideally, you should do some small samples first to see the results before you proceed to carry out the work across the entire floor. This should help to make ongoing improvements for better results.
