Epoxy requires special mixing and application instructions, so follow the manufacturer’s instructions precisely. The 1-in. Consider the grout joint size. There is no such thing as an ideal size for grout lines, although we must admit that small tiles do tend to look their best with narrow grout joints. straight lines. The second is to use a grout stain to even the color. Rectified tiles are porcelain or ceramic tiles that have been ground down to be perfect and uniform in size and shape. Get a better clean with Quickie Power Scrubber. Large format. It’s a dye, but goes on like paint. In addition to holding a degree in paralegal studies, she has more than 10 years of experience renovating newer homes and restoring historic property. There may be holes, cracks or gaps in the grout lines, which can weaken the integrity of the joint and allow moisture to penetrate beneath the tiles. Too much water was used during mixing or the installer left too much water on the joints while wiping. “ Protruding, uneven grout lines are the first sign of an amateur application. Carole Oldroyd, a writer based in East Tennessee, has authored numerous DIY home improvement, Human Resources, HR and Law articles. The grout is ready to use when the consistency is slightly stiff, not runny like pancake batter. Apply more grout and work it into the joints as before until the tiles are fully grouted. Only use unsanded grout, which is smoother. How to Lay Tile Without Grout Lines. This creates a smooth final space that looks like solid tile. Travertine is a very porous stone and if a colored Mortar or Grout is used then it can actually be absorbed into the stone discoloring it. The solution for filling in grout holes is to dampen the holes with water and push grout into the holes with a finger. It is great for tight spots and also provides a brush which fits into most of these tight spaces. Jun 28, 2016 - Floor pattern and tile size of carrara marble... tight grout lines are a must: Any thoughts on removing grout in these tight situations. Again, be careful not to dislodge the grout in the joints. This ... Lay out the tiles directly onto the area where you will install them. If your tiles are not beveled, you have small grout lines, and you seal the grout well, it may be worth it. Let the Tile (Not the Grout) do the Talking. Explore Kerry Forbes's board "Grout less tiles" on Pinterest. Once the grout is dry, wipe it off with a dry rag. And even though unsanded grout shrinks, this isn’t much of an issue on a vertical surface. They look to be 1/16 spaced until removing a surface grout over poor repair; then it looks like the original grout lines might even be 1/32. How to ensure tight grout lines Choose rectified tiles. For example, if the edge warping of a rectified tile is 1/32", the minimum grout joint is 1/8" + 1/32" = 5/32". Since hardwood floors don’t have much of a joint, you don’t want your tile to either. Drag the edge of the float across the tiles in as many different directions as you can, forcing the grout into the joints. The first is to remove bad grout and re-grout using a grout saw. Click on photos to enlarge. After cutting off the top of the bag, put the tip into the grout joint and squeeze the bag. You may need to apply several coats of sealer to fully protect the grout lines. If you are grouting tiles in a shower, consider epoxy grout. Don't mix more than you can apply within approximately a half hour. 8. New grout that is discolored with dark or dirty looking spots, a result of the installer adding too much water to the grout and then let it sit in the bucket to thicken up. Adding water or covering with a damp cloth will not prevent the grout from hardening, as it is a cement-based product. 2. Grout Lines for Floor Tiles As a general rule, floor tiles should have grout lines of 1/8 inch or larger, depending on the type and size of tile; most floor tiles are 8 inches by 8 inches, but larger versions are available. As the grout dried, the water evaporated, leaving holes. At this point, the grout is still not fully dry. 101 Posts . Reply. Suitable for cleaning soap scum, grout lines, and caked-on dirt Usable for tight spaces Price This is a very cheap cleaner with a lot of versatility. However, with wood-look tile, you really don’t want the grout to steal the show—you want it to disappear. Use the edge of the float to scrape off excess grout from the tiles. Another factor is the shape of the tile and how it will affect the grout lines. But no one said it’s impossible! Wanting to re-grout wall tiles in the bathroom, I realize that the gaps between tiles are very uneven from area to area, and are sometimes too narrow for either the oscillating tool's 1/8 inch blade or manual grout blade which has approximately the same thickness. Many times the actual grout color looks different than the sample swab or stick you may have used to choose the grout. You can slide your grout remover right up against a surface and the blade will remove all the grout you couldn’t reach with your round grout removal blade. It's time now to fix a shower accessory shelf and a toilet roll holder. We used 4d finish nails to anchor them until the mortar set (Photo 12). A grout float is a rectangular, paddle-type tool with a handle on top and a flexible foam coating on the back. Seal the grout with penetrating grout sealer after the grout has dried for at least 48 hours. The color is almost white – specifically, a linen-color. 101 Posts . Epoxy grout is very difficult to use, but it provides an exceptional barrier against water penetration. I have installed electric radiant heat wires under 1/4" of self-leveling cement. Drag the edge of the grout float across the tiles, forcing the grout into the grout lines. I'm no expert on tile, but maybe this thread will be of help on the issue of stone tile and tight grout lines. When Using Black or Colored Tile… If you decide to stray away from the stark white tile look, pairing … Name. Thanks! tiles were mounted on mesh. For small batches, you can mix the grout with a wooden paint stir stick. Of course, when I say "we" used any of these products, I mean our wonderful tile guys used them for us! Thin grout is easier to force into narrow grout joints, but it shrinks excessively due to the high water content, leading to sunken or concave joints, cracks and failed grout. Ideal for scrubbing grout lines, corners and crevices and tight spaces; Oscillating head scrubs 60X per second; Watertight construction; Button has 2 cleaning modes: pulse or continuous-on; Product Overview. Usually if you are using very small or tight grout lines then non-sanded is the way to go. Conclusion The brush available on the cover of the bottle is one of the few features which make this cleaner quite good. Grout can take a tile and elevate it to something unique. If grout is left too long before cleanup, it will harden and become very difficult to remove. Discussion Starter • #1 • Feb 19, 2014. TCNA recommends a minimum 1/8" grout joint for rectified tile and minimum 3/16" grout joint for calibrated tile. Application: This type of grout does well for grout joints wider than 1/8 th of an inch. Since hardwood floors don’t have much of a joint, you don’t want your tile to either. I agree with the others that grout lines are a pain to keep clean of debris and very unsanitary for a kitchen counter. Keep in mind, however, that there is still a little ‘wiggle room’ during installation. Spread the grout across the tile while it’s still wet. This is similar to decorating a cake with a frosting bag. Large format tiles are a bit tricky. I can’t find an oscillating tool blade for these tight tolerances. 3. Plan to use unsanded grout for grout lines up to 1/8 in. I had some tight lines to do around the edge and for this I depressed the nib to give me blobs of the liquid and I painted them on with a brush- this uses a lot less. Cons: While this can be a pro for some, it takes a little longer than epoxy grout to set which means if you’re working on a tight schedule it may not be the fit for you. For example, if the edge warping of a rectified tile is 1/32", the minimum grout joint is 1/8" + … Apply more grout and work it into the joints once more. Generally, sanded and unsanded grout should never be mixed and absolutely never with marble or any other surface that can be scratched by the sand in grout (note: marble is a cut product, manufactured to extremely tight tolerances and usually designed to be installed with 1/16" spacing). Rectified tiles with a square edge can have tight tile joints but if your tile has a cushion edge, you would most likely need a 3-5mm grout joint. Here's the quote I'm thinking of " however, there IS a kind of ceramic that's baked in sheets and then cut to size afterward, making it just as good a candidate for tight joints as granite and marble, and that's rectified porcelain." We used 1/16-in. When the space between tiles is so little like 1/32″ which is often referred to as “credit card lines” or “penny lines”, it’s not possible to fill that space all the way through the bottom of the tile. It you are grouting a very small area of tile, consider using a grout bag to apply the grout. While it is tempting to simply apply more grout, new grout will not bond properly to grout that has already cured. This one can be set either straight or at a 90-degree angle on the oscillating multi-tool and will allow you to access grout lines in tight spaces. Wipe the sponge across the tiles to remove residual grout, but don’t disturb the grout in the joints. The 7 Best Grouting Tools of 2021 . Contact Mosa for more advice on rectified tiles, how to install grout joints and much more. This is an acceptable space that can be properly grouted. For ... For large-format tiles, 18 by 18 inches and larger, you can actually get away with very tight grout lines of 1/16 inch or even 1/32 inch, usually created by the lugs. I was just wondering if drilling through the grout line (3mm) with a 5mm flat pointed bit (Screwfix type) will snag and cause the tiles to crack. Step 5: Cutting technique This should work well when you are looking for a slightly tan color that you do not want to be white, but don’t need it … Wait 24 to 72 hours until a powdery residue forms across the tiles. This is especially helpful removing grout flush with a wall. squares and 1/8-in. Simply fasten the paddle to the drill and blend the material as if you are using a kitchen hand blender. Grout can take a tile and elevate it to something unique. Fix leaky faucets and showerheads to remove the source of excess moisture in your bathroom and kitchen;. If you are going for high contrast or retro style, wider grout spacing gives you the opportunity to make a statement with your grout. These, more than either of the other two, are more dependent upon the tile itself. 2,417 Posts #4 • Jan 13, 2012. firehawkmph said: Get yourself a skinny float. Grouting small joints is the same process as grouting wider joints. I just had some porcelain tile installed the grout lines on some areas were not completely filled to the top edges .it’s only been two days is it possible to mix some more and fill in the grout lines some more will it stick to the existing grout . Helpful 0 Not … Here are a few insider tips and tricks to help you install the perfectly tight grout joint. The top has a small spout that’s easy to squeeze out a small amount along the grout line. Grout line widths are a personal preference. Reply. If it soaks right in, you need more sealer. grout lines disappear by using tight grout lines and a grout color that matches the field color of the tiles. There are two solutions. Pull the edge of the float back and forth from left to right, up and back and in diagonal directions until the joints are packed full. Thinner grout spacing for subway tile creates a more subtle effect, and wider grout lines, a more dramatic one. A standard look, tile installers recommend grout lines are a personal.... 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