Select Grout
-Use sanded grout for tile joint lines over 1/8-inch wide. But don’t use it on delicate tiles, like honed stone or glass tile, as it will scratch. (For floors)
-Use unsanded grout for thin joints less than 1/8-inch wide and for tiles that might be scratched by sanded grout. (For walls)
-Use premixed grout for convenience and stain resistance. Test a sample tile to make sure it doesn’t scratch the project tile.(For floors or walls)
Prep
Pull the spacers, drop them in a bucket to soak, and wipe every tile and joint clean of setting compound.
Mix the Grout
Properly mixed tile grout should be smooth and creamy.
Dry grout is too heavy to stir by hand.
The right tools:
a mixing paddle
a strong electric drill
a side grip
Add Water
10 pounds grout 3.25 cups of water
The mixture should have the consistency of smooth peanut butter.
(You can mix small batches in a 5 gal bucket tipped on its side so that it stays fresh.)
Spread Grout
When you move the float parallel to the grout lines, the edge of the float will dig out the grout.
Spread the grout in a long sweep with the float moving at a 45 degree angle to the joints.
I like to use a plastic drywall knife around cabinets.
Spread Evenly
Set up a work light at a low angle so you can see the grout better.
Spread the grout at a consistent pressure.
Practice pulling your grout float across a dry surface before doing so with grout.
Hold the Float Correctly
Spreading grout across the tile surface depends on holding the grout float at the correct angle. If you hold the float vertically or close to vertical, the float jumps across the tile and won’t pack the grout in the joints well. It also digs grout out of the joints.
But if you hold it too close to horizontal, you push deposited grout out of the joints, and you end up with too much grout on the tile faces.
As you sweep the float across the tile, your hand tends to change its angle. So, practice a few sweeps and keep the float at 45 degrees for the entire stroke.
After spreading the tile grout, scrape off the excess with the float sweep at 45 and the angle at 90. The remaining thin film of grout is cleaned off with a damp sponge. Though it may seem simple, this is tricky because too much pressure will scrape out the grout, leading to uneven grout.
Clean Gently
Clean up the countertop immediately. Work in small sections. Don’t let the excess grout dry out.
Wash your sponge in one bucket of water, then squeeze it out. Rinse it in the second bucket, and squeeze it as dry as possible.
After 10 minutes, wipe the tile clean at a 45 angle. To even out the appearance of the joints, you may work in a circular motion. Apply light pressure with the sponge. Sometimes I bend the sponge to create a firmer surface with which to wipe the tile.
Wait 10 more minutes, and wipe the tile clean again with a clean sponge.
Time Carefully
Precise timing helps your tile work look professional. Poor grout results from neglecting timing, exceeding time limits, or starting steps too early.
Grout after installing tile: Wait 24 hours for thinset mortar to fully dry before grouting. For tile adhesives, wait 48 hours.
Grout rest time after mixing: After mixing, grout needs to sit undisturbed for 10 minutes before use. This rest period is called slaking.
Clean excess grout with sponge: Wait no more than 5 or 10 minutes.
Clean grout haze: Wait at least 24 to 48 hours and no more than 10 days to clean grout haze from the tile surface.
Caulk the Corners
Caulk the corners. Use a dry rag to clean your fingers and a wet rag to dampen your finger to keep the silicone from sticking to it.
There are two ways to tool a silicone corner bead.
The first is the inclusion method and the second is the barrier method.
The first way your finger actually is inside of the silicone surface tension,
And the second way, the water forms a barrier and you smooth the silicone skin without actually being part of its surface.
