What tools are needed for grouting tiles. Tools for grouting. High-quality grout for tile joints in the bathroom - materials and work steps

Grout trowel Hardy For working with epoxy grouts, with a special hardened surface. To grout tile joints, you will need special tools: a rubber spatula, a mold for joints and a grout trowel (for grouting joints in mosaics and small tiles).

Grout tool in Russia

If the grater failed, then acid cleaners will be needed. In this way, you should not throw away the accompanying documents immediately after purchasing the grout. You can remove this plaque with a piece of clean cloth, gauze, or by additionally wiping it with a clean and well-wrung sponge. If there is adhesive left on the surface of the tile, this can cause difficulty in cleaning it.

Align and smooth the seams with a jointer, a wooden stick with a sharpened end, or the end of a toothbrush. For greater efficiency, fill the joint along its entire length, and not around a single tile. If you will only seal the seams, use a small brush.

Foam grater for tile joints

Wait a few minutes and check again. Then trim the edges of the seams with a sponge. An ordinary porous sponge is perfect for this. After processing the seams with jointing, it is necessary to finally clean the surface. After two passes, the sponge must be thoroughly rinsed. Thoroughly clean the tiles and grouts and let them dry for a few days.

In this case, the colorants penetrate into the porous structure of the upper layer. Gloss on the floor is induced after the grout has completely solidified. You can moisten the surface of the tile with a garden sprayer. With it, you can test a small area of the surface. (Another reason why grout can crack and crumble is too much liquid when mixing the grout.) For example, some tilers pour dry grout over the joints (so that the wet grout in the joints dries faster).

If the grout has set very quickly, wet grout removal will be difficult. In any case, all tile joints must be of the same shape and depth.

When grouting the seam, try to work with the seam, and not tritely smear the grout over the entire surface of the tile. After some time, wet cleaning begins. The liquid during the grouting process will leave the grout, so the material will harden and the seams will be filled with particles of cement and sand. There are many techniques for cleaning grout, some of them quite unusual. With cement grout, such problems will not arise. If you will be sealing both the tile and grout in the joints, use a paint roller. (If this happens, just add a little grout to the joint and level the surface of the joint with the edge of the trowel).

Grouting ceramic tiles

Then, using a sponge, you need to trim the edges of the seams. The stronger the resistance, the more tightly the seam is filled and the stronger it will be. First fill the horizontal, and then the vertical seams. If you have worked with glazed tiles, you can start grouting right away.

You should squeeze out a little more grout than you think is necessary, because after the first setting, the grout should be tamped into the joint with a piece of smooth metal tube, the diameter of which is greater than the width of the joint or joint. The fact is that the wider the seam, the more likely it is to crack. The size of the joint depends on how the edges of the tile are processed. After half an hour, you can remove excess grout.

Thus, we fill all the voids around the tile. Start cleaning when the grout remains in place. (If you move the sponge quickly or jerkily, the grout will leave streaks on the surface of the tiles.)

Recommendations on how to grout the seams on the tiles. What materials are needed?

As a result, the seams should be tightly filled with grout. If the tile is unglazed, the top and side surfaces of each tile must be dampened.

The grout in the joints should be elastic and dense, but not hard. First rinse and wring out the sponge well. Take a tool with an abrasive coating. This is done so that the unglazed surface does not absorb moisture from the grout.

How to quickly grout the seams on the tile: all the subtleties of grouting ceramic tiles

It is removed without difficulty. After cleaning the surface, it must be wiped with a well-wrung sponge. The material in the seams should be dense and elastic, but not hard.

And the appearance of condensed salts on the seam is almost inevitable. Important: such grouts can cause irritation and inflammation of the eyes, adversely affect the skin and lungs. Usually, all horizontal seams (along the x-axis) are filled first, and then vertical ones (along the y-axis).

Grouting joints when laying ceramic tiles

Do not go to extremes and make too narrow seams. When using square-shaped tiles, it is best to make 3 mm joints. Too wide seams, as it were, visually suppress the tile.

Epoxy grout is quite difficult to work with because of its high viscosity. Classic way. In this case, you must wait 15-20 minutes and allow the seams to dry. To assess the readiness of the surface of tiles and grouts for cleaning, you can use a sponge: wet the sponge as much as possible and then test a small area of the cladding surface.

Self grouting of tile joints

The seam must be tightly filled with mortar. Then apply sealant following the manufacturer's instructions. Cleaning can begin when the grout in the joints remains in place. For this purpose, you will need a patch. Over time, the seams treated with this composition will begin to turn yellow under the influence of moisture. Apply the prepared solution evenly on the surface of the tiles (if floor tiles are being processed, you can simply pour the solution out of the bucket) and distribute with a trowel, choosing the appropriate option (for wall or floor).

It is better to start grouting from those parts of the room that the furniture will later hide - you can practice before working in "critical areas". Squeeze out a little more grout than seems necessary. Manufacturers recommend wet cleaning with acidic products such as, say, Detergres. Continue this process until the entire area of the cladding has been completely cleaned, trying to be careful so that again the sponge does not drag the grout out of the joints.

All about grouting tile joints

Cleaning should begin when the grout has not yet hardened, but does not stretch out of the joints.

First, it is better to read them carefully. Grouting tiles begins with the selection of suitable materials for this. If the grout has seized very strongly, then you will have to use an abrasive float to remove it (it does not leave scratches on the surface of the tile).

Using tiles of irregular shape - wider (but not more than 12 mm).

Cement-based grouts differ in the additives that make up the material. It is very important to give all seams the same shape and depth. To do this, using a clean and well-wrung sponge, make a passage about 1 m long, turn the sponge over with the other side and make another pass. For one pass, use the freshly washed side of the sponge. This is a dry mix that must be diluted with water or liquid latex before use.

The duration of the interval between stages is determined individually and depends on the conditions of the room and the type of grout. Too waterlogged grout can also contribute to the destruction of the seams. We repeat the procedure several times.

High-quality grout for tile joints in the bathroom - materials and work steps

When all the joints are filled, you will need a trowel to remove excess grout, which should be held at an almost right angle to the surface of the tiles (as shown in the picture). After the pressed grout has set in the seam (this takes about half an hour), the excess should be removed with a stiff brush. This is especially noticeable when dark-colored tinted grouts are used. The sponge must be moved strictly parallel to the seams.

Such grouts are absolutely not suitable for rooms with a high level of humidity. The grout in the joints should be dense and elastic. Do it better before buying.

Tool for painting and finishing works

Use a very damp sponge to evaluate. Before grouting, the joints and the tile itself must be moistened with a small amount of water. We take all reasonable precautions to protect the confidentiality of data.

For effective filling, work along the entire length of the joint, and not around an individual tile. Move the sponge parallel to the seam, carefully removing the protrusions and filling the existing grooves with a small amount of grout on the tip of your finger (wear tight-fitting rubber gloves for this). Hold it at a 30 degree angle to the tile (as shown in the photo) and apply the grout to the surface of the tile diagonally (as shown in the picture).

How to spread tile grout

A stiff brush will help with this task. If you do this quickly, then stains will remain on the tile. If the tile has even sharp edges, then it is better to make the seams flush with the surface of the tile.

The next step is to inspect the grout joints, level them and smooth them out with a joint (a wooden stick with a sharpened end) or a toothbrush. The best is to fill first horizontal and then vertical seams. You should first try cleaning on a small fragment of the cladding.

It should be held at a 30 degree angle to the tile and grouted diagonally. In this way, use respirators, rubber gloves and goggles while working. This will help keep the seams from warping.

Terence Davis Films
Teryl Rothery
Turner Paintings
Terry Thomas
Grach Fly Savrasov

How to grout the seams between tiles

Rubber spatula for grouting, selection rules

The completed look of the laid tiles will be given by a competent, neatly executed grouting of the tiled flooring. This is the final touch, on which the holistic impression of the work done depends. In order not to spoil the tile joints, to perform a responsible operation successfully, you will need a good tool. Such a device will be a grouting spatula, which will help put an end to the repair work in the bathroom.

The result of the work depends on the correctly selected grouting device, therefore it is important to know the types, features of the use of various spatulas and their care. The tool can become a universal acquisition, both for a novice home master and for a professional professional.

Description of the trowel tool

From the usual metal plastering and painting counterparts, the grouting spatula is made of a one-piece alloy piece of rubber with cut edges, like a knife blade. The plasticity of the material and the ability of the spatula to bend allow:

gently, carefully work with decorative surfaces without the risk of surface damage;
significantly facilitate the work in sealing hard-to-reach places due to the design features.

A distinctive feature of a rubber spatula, in contrast to the painting counterpart, is the large size of the tool, the working canvas of which reaches 80 cm. In work, this factor creates an advantage, as it speeds up grouting on a significant surface of walls or floors. Quite tiny models are often used, up to 4 cm, suitable for processing corners, difficult places.

For convenience, the rubber spatula is equipped with a wooden or plastic handle, which corresponds to the overall lightness, plasticity of the tool, adapted for grouting tile joints with various finishing compounds in the form of cement or epoxy mixtures. Varieties without handles are adapted for grouting in corners, difficult niches and other hard-to-reach areas.

Purpose of the spatula

Rubber spatula in construction and repair work is intended:

for grouting tiles, parquet joints;
removal of residues of the building mixture.

Works are finishing or restoration in nature of varying complexity, so keeping the surface free of scratches or other damage is an important factor. Apply fixtures of different sizes depending on the size of the processed plane.

The small price of a set of several copies of tools allows us to consider them consumables. Rubber is an ideal material in terms of quality characteristics for dense and reliable grouting.

Tool Requirements

The device of the spatula, at first glance, is so simple that it seems impossible to spoil the tool. But practice shows that there are details and properties that affect the comfort and productivity of work:

a pen. It must be adapted to continuous work by a convenient design that does not allow hands to be contaminated with grout. The shape of the handle should contribute to exerting pressure on the grout, filling the seam or joint of the tile.
Grouting ceramic tiles: step by step instructions and tips

Sufficient pressure will compact the composition, enhance productivity;
rubber sheet. The shape, density, plastic properties should serve to unhindered collection of excess mixture from the tiles after filling the joints, and the cone-shaped edges should be used to press the grout even in the corners. Surface cleaning must be complete, without the possibility of filling pores, as well as small cracks.

The rubber and rubber blades of spatulas are similar in appearance, but differ significantly in wear resistance and durability. The versatility of rubber lies in its water resistance as well as chemical resistance. Rubber ages quickly and either decomposes or becomes brittle and breaks.

rubber spatula

Multilayer rubber spatula

Types of spatulas

Among the huge variety of spatulas, these devices may vary:

in shape: popularity in the first place is a trapezoidal rubber spatula, followed by a rectangular one, then a rectangular one with a rounded edge, a figure eight and a wedge-shaped one;
by color: the main colors of rubber are black and white. This is not just a color, but a reflection of the stiffness of the canvas. The black version is more rigid. It is more efficient for them to compact the grout without leaving voids. The white version is softer, softer, suitable for finishing joints, as well as tile seams;
by types of handles: Many tools are equipped with a trapezoidal plastic handle. This is a convenient option, but it is believed that the handle-bracket contributes more to efficiency in work. The price of such models is higher. The choice depends on the amount of work, intensity of application. Options for grouting tools with wooden handles or holders are also found, as are solid rubber sheets without handles;
by appointment: trowelling and for jointing: Filling joints with cement or epoxy grout is carried out by the main types of spatulas. The jointing is done with a special round-shaped rubber spatula. This variety was introduced by Kiilto, and then other manufacturers began to add similar models to packages with grout.

The need for such a device for forming a seam has always been, before the masters used improvised means, used a piece of electrical cable with a cross section of 6-10 mm.

It should be noted that a round spatula can be used effectively when the grout is soft, but with a hard grout, the formation of a seam is more difficult.

How to use the tool correctly and in what cases

The technical rubber of the tool is perfectly sharpened: the blade is cut at an angle in production. The location of the chamfer is the working side of the spatula. The tool is ideally suited for difficult areas, adapts to any shape: cylinder, arc, cone. Models without handles of various shapes are needed for grouting joints, joints behind pipes, in arched finishes, niches. The rubber tool is suitable for processing the seams of tiles and decorative stone, sealing the joints of linoleum, parquet, and ceramics. Puttying work with a rubber spatula cannot be carried out. Neither the design nor the handle is adapted to these types of work.

Experts believe that the grouting process with a rubber tool is convenient and can be adjusted to two basic movements: bring the mixture on a spatula to the depth of the seam, and then remove excess from the surface. The stitching gives a complete look, the final relief. Sometimes the jointing is done with the rounded side of a rubber spatula, sometimes with an adapted pen or a separate tool.

The main thing to remember is that grouting is carried out after the tile adhesive has completely dried.

The remains of dry grout are removed from the surface with a clean or new (if any) rubber spatula. If it was washed, then you need to wait until it dries completely. You need to hold the tool almost perpendicularly, do not press hard so as not to remove the applied mixture from the joints of the tile or stone.

About quality, manufacturers and cost

The use of the “right” tool is the key to successful and high-quality work, a professional approach to finishing.

Manufacturers of STAYER, SPARTA, FIT companies, the domestic company Zubr took into account the experience and practice of using spatulas to make them as convenient and versatile as possible.

You can buy the tool at retail, small and large wholesale. Depending on the size and design features, the price per piece averages from 45 to 80 rubles. The cost of sets of three rubber spatulas (40 mm, 60 mm, 80 mm) ranges from 50 to 80 rubles. White rubber is valued higher, by about 10%. Buying a tool in small wholesale (as a consumable) is the most profitable: the price per piece is not higher than 35 rubles.

Rubber spatula Zubr

Rubber spatula STAYER

Tool Care

Inexpensive rubber spatulas can be considered a consumable item and not saved if the repair work is completed and the tool is no longer needed. For those who are professionally engaged in finishing work, it is a pity to part with a convenient device and they will need the following tips:

you can extend the life of the tool by regularly cleaning its surface from building mixtures;
the appearance of microcracks should be monitored, their appearance will interfere with the elasticity of the tool, since the solution will get into the cracks;
the edges of the rubber sheet should be smooth, without notches, cracks. If you want to keep the tool in working condition, you can carefully trim the damaged areas.

Proper, careful use will significantly increase the life of the spatula.

How to make the right choice

When choosing a tool, you should take a closer look at the following details:

the rubber sheet must be sharpened, this is important for grouting;
evaluate the stiffness of the spatula and correlate it with the characteristics of the materials (tiles, stone, grout composition);
the convenience of the handle (if it is wooden, then drying oil is required to extend the service life).

A rubber spatula will help you work successfully and with pleasure, to achieve a beautiful, high-quality result.

Grouting is the last step in laying tiles. The aesthetics of the cladding depends on how carefully and competently this action is performed. This process in professional jargon is called jointing and is performed using a rubber spatula called jointing. The market offers a choice of these products and you need not make a mistake when choosing a tool, since the end result depends on how high-quality a spatula is chosen for work and on the convenience of working with it.

Form-dependence of performance

This product is highly specialized. It is used only for grouting and removing excess sweep when facing. It is made of rubber, since only this material has the necessary properties that are needed for milling. The spatula has several sizes and is selected depending on the work, the level of skill of the person performing them.

Rubber soft spatula for finishing seams

A popular product is a rectangular or trapezoidal shape.

The performance of such a spatula depends on the width.
With or without plastic or wooden handle.
To maintain the rigidity of the rubber, the working surface does not exceed 10 cm in height.
It is made from recycled materials, so they check how suitable the spatula is for the job. Rubber must be:

hard;
medium elasticity;
with elasticity.

Tools are available in widths from 5 cm to 50 cm. For work, you need one that is comfortable to hold in one hand or two.
Difficult seams between tiles are sealed with an angled spatula. However, this tool does not allow you to work at high speed.

Give the inter-tile seams a certain shape with a round-shaped tool. The spatula is inconvenient for grouting tile joints and is used only for its intended purpose. Visually resembles a piece of wire .

Tools and materials for laying tiles

professional tools

To perform large volumes of work, professional builders use other designs.

Such tools are similar to building graters, but with a rubber sole.
The width of the tool reaches 120 mm, and the length is 250 mm.
To apply a large volume of the mixture to the surface, a distributing spatula with a length of more than half a meter is used. After it, additional cleaning of the tile from the solution is necessary.
When filling the joints with putty with a liquid consistency, use a planer gun. If the amount of work is small, then replace it with a bag with a cut end.
To shape the tile joints, professionals use special tampers and levelers. They are a long stick, at the end of which a ball is fixed. Used in the formation of seams with a width of 0.3 to 1 cm.

The cost of professional tools is higher than ordinary spatulas. However, they are used for a long time and do not worry about the quality of work. While a cheap product may not be enough for one job.

Set of rubber spatulas

Cloths for restoration and restoration works

A rubber spatula is used both in construction and in restoration. Therefore, increased requirements are imposed on the material from which it is made, and on the tool itself.

It is made from a material with a holistic structure so that no traces remain on the surface, and the putty is applied in an even layer.
Plastic rubber is used for the manufacture of the tool, not composite materials. This is monitored, as pieces of abrasive materials present in putty and grout will scratch the surface.
When performing restoration work, it is not allowed to get foreign trowel material on the surface to be restored, therefore tools of small width are used.
If the tool has a handle, then it should be comfortable and conducive to filling the seam with a mixture without additional pressure on it.
The shape of the working blade of the spatula should not be convenient for collecting excess building mixture from the surface to be treated.

Using a rubber spatula when working gives a better result than using a rubber one.

Differences between a modern spatula and old models

Tool Differences

Since the grout for joints is of different consistency and differs in the components contained in it, it is better to use spatulas suitable for it when working. They are of different shapes:

trapezoidal;
rectangular;
rectangular with rounded edges;
wedge-shaped;
in the form of a figure eight;
round for ramming.

Silicone model for finishing seams

The color of the spatula depends on the rigidity of the product:

black is used when compacting the mixture, when laying floor tiles or if there are voids in the inter-tile space;
The white spatula is made of soft elastic rubber. It is convenient to use during restoration work, when grouting joints on thin tiles;
Depending on the work to be done, a hard and flexible spatula may be needed at the same time.

Applying grout between tile joints

For convenience, the tools are equipped with handles that differ from manufacturer to manufacturer:

plastic trapezoidal - a popular type of handle and a cheap option for the manufacturer;
a staple-shaped handle is common. This is a handy tool that improves productivity.
wooden handles are convenient for professional work with a spatula, as they do not wear out for a long time;
blade holders are used by professionals. They are used when working with rubber spatulas due to rapid wear.
spatulas without a handle with a special shape of the blade, thanks to which it is convenient to hold it in your hand.

Trowel for grouting with epoxy mosaic compound

For jointing it is more convenient to use a spatula in the form of a rod. However, this spatula is used only when forming joints from soft grout.

The nuances of working with a rubber spatula

Performing grouting work is not carried out before the tile adhesive is completely dry, as it will cause deformation of the tile web.

At what angle and how to apply grout with a rubber spatula

Before grouting, you need to prepare the materials that will be needed to remove excess grout from the surface of the tiles.

The grout is applied to a clean, dry surface. The temperature in the room in which the work is performed is not lower than 10-15 degrees. The maximum air humidity is not more than 55%. Dust is not allowed. It is not desirable to get direct sunlight on the grout until it dries completely.

The tip of the spatula must be rounded or sharpened before use. If a new tool is used, then manufacturers do this when they release products from the assembly line.

High-quality grouting of tile joints

An ideal spatula can be bent into any shape, then it will return to its original position. This is the result of the elasticity of the rubber from which the product is made. If the tool does not lend itself to reshaping or it is obtained with great difficulty, then it is made of pure rubber or poor-quality composite materials. It is better to refuse to work with such a canvas.

The spatula for puttying and the spatula for grouting are different, so they cannot replace each other during operation.

After work, the tools must be washed, as the remaining mixture destroys the structure of the spatula blade and may cause difficulties in use in the future. After drying, the composition is poorly peeled off with a spatula.

Cleaning tiles from excess grout

The tool is easy to manufacture, so there are many products on the market from low-quality raw materials. To avoid problems during work, you need to try to change the shape of the canvas during the purchase by checking the elasticity.

When grouting after tiling, two significant results can be obtained. Firstly, a harmonious surface is created that will fully comply with the design ideas. Secondly, the possibility of mold and mildew is neutralized, and general pollution is also reduced. Naturally, the work must be carried out in compliance with certain rules.

There is a certain period that must be waited before taking the necessary measures. So, the grouting of ceramic tiles is carried out one day after laying the material. Much depends on the glue used. Why can't we wait longer? There are several reasons for this:

On the second day, the mixture used for lining retains a little elasticity. This means that it will be easy to remove when cleaning the seams. Subsequently, you will have to make much more effort.
The moisture remaining in the solution promotes better adhesion. Of course, it is possible to wet the gaps additionally. But this can lead to some disadvantages: it becomes liquid and less elastic. Working with such a mixture is much more difficult.
Open seams get dirty quickly. Small particles of dust and dirt quickly get into open holes and clog them. This leads to the fact that it becomes much more difficult to apply the solution.

It becomes extremely clear that such work must be done on time. Then it will be possible to get a coverage that will meet all the necessary requirements.

Grouting after laying ceramic tiles is carried out after a day

Solution preparation

For work, you can use a ready-made mixture, which is sold in hardware stores. It just needs to be mixed well before use. There are also dry solutions, they have to be diluted in advance. For cooking you will need the following:

Water at room temperature. She is allowed to settle beforehand so that possible inclusions settle to the bottom of the bucket.
Mixing container. It should be comfortable to work with, and also be larger than the intended amount of the mixture. It should be borne in mind that the amount of material being prepared must be such that it is used up before drying begins.
Spatula or trowel. This tool is essential for kneading. Of course, you can use a drill with a mixer attachment, but given the small amount of mixture being prepared, this will be a pointless exercise. It is better to do everything by hand to get the desired result and not to collect the solution from the walls of the container.

Grout mortar is best kneaded with a spatula or trowel

The cooking process looks like this:

Each grout for tile joints contains instructions from the manufacturer. It indicates the amount of water needed to prepare the desired volume of the mixture.
Water is poured into the mixing container. Next, a small part of the material is poured. Now you should mix the composition well. If it turns out too dry, then more water is added, or vice versa.
All components must be diluted to a pasty state. After that, the grouting solution is left for five minutes. Then the stirring is repeated.

It turns out a homogeneous substance, which has sufficient viscosity and elasticity. She is very comfortable to work with. But after a while, the properties will begin to deteriorate.

After mixing all the components, a viscous and very elastic mixture is obtained.

Grout technology

It should be borne in mind that grouting tiles with your own hands is carried out in several stages. The area of continuous work should be two square meters. This is how you get everything done right. Of course, when there is enough experience, the process is much faster.

Before grouting the tiles, the necessary tool is prepared: a rubber spatula, a grater, rags, a sponge, a spatula for forming a seam (smoother).

Immediately before applying the grout, it is necessary to prepare the necessary tools and rubber gloves

The next steps are:

When unglazed tiles are used, they are pre-wetted. This is done with a sponge, which helps water penetrate deep into the joints. But this must be done very carefully, it is impossible to prevent the occurrence of streaks and the formation of excess moisture. When the material is glazed, this process can be skipped.
Advice! It is better not to use tile sponges that are used for washing dishes. There are other options, they are sold in departments for car service.
The pre-prepared mixture is applied to the grater for grouting. The tool is placed at an angle of thirty degrees to the surface and they begin to move it diagonally. This method is used due to the fact that when performing a horizontal or vertical movement, it is not possible to apply the composition evenly.

When applying grout to a tile, move diagonally

The procedure for grouting tile joints requires some effort. It is necessary to press on the grater so that all possible voids are filled. You can also use a rubber spatula to work. But then the process will take much longer. After all, you will have to press the solution in small portions throughout the entire area of \u200b\u200bwork. The spatula is great for hard-to-reach places and corners.
On a note! Corners are a very prominent place that gets noticed a lot. Therefore, work in such areas must be done very carefully.
Having filled all the gaps in the selected area of work, proceed to the grout using the dry method. To do this, clean the grater from the remnants of the mixture and place it at an angle of eighty degrees to the surface. And again, all movements are performed exclusively diagonally. This makes it possible to remove excess composition. It happens that unintentional removal of the mortar from the seam occurs - then the mixture is applied again.
The surface is left for fifteen minutes. During this time, you can overwrite another area. Now it's time to use the wet method. To do this, the sponge is moistened in water, and very abundantly, and they begin to drive it diagonally. But before proceeding with these manipulations, they check that the putty is no longer removed from the seam. You have to experiment a little first.

The next stage is coming. It resembles the previous one, but the differences are that the sponge is well wrung out. And the movements should be circular. Excessive pressure should be avoided. After all, this way you can remove the grouting material. It must be remembered that the sponge must be constantly rinsed and squeezed well.
On a note! Such a process can quickly spoil the sponge, turning it into a useless thing. Therefore, you should have a spare product.
Sealing between tiles is not finished. Next, it's time to use special tools to form beautiful gaps between adjacent elements. It is convenient to use a special spatula, it looks like a small round stick. When the procedure is completed, the next turn of the sponge comes. It is led parallel to the seam - erasing all unnecessary. It is possible to obtain a rounded seam. If this is not required, then the gaps are simply leveled flush with the tiles.

It seems that do-it-yourself grouting of ceramic tiles is coming to an end. In fact, it should be borne in mind that the event is quite long and requires further continuation. Now it is necessary to wait for the moment when the suture material dries sufficiently, and it will be possible to begin to remove the remaining excess, which will be everywhere present on the front side of the product.

For work, an irreplaceable sponge is used, which is well washed and squeezed. With quick movements, it is carried out over the surface to the length of an outstretched arm. Each successive pass must be parallel to the previous one. If everything is done correctly, then in this way it is possible to remove all the remnants of the solution. Of course, it will be difficult to do this completely, but it is not necessary. The main thing is to remove large excess from the tile, which will dry quickly.

Sealing

Sealing is a necessary process that is performed immediately after the completion of the grouting work. It is needed to give the seam increased strength. This will protect it from exposure to various chemicals and water. The choice of material is approached with all care. For work it is better to use compositions that are completely transparent. They are made from silicone.

On a note! This solution has a rather specific smell, similar to ammonia. Therefore, it is better to perform work in a respirator.

The sealing process makes the seam more durable

Before sealing the joints with protective compounds, it is determined with further actions that will be focused on the type of ceramic product:

Glazed material. All activities must be carried out very carefully. Such a surface is very easy to damage or even completely spoil. Therefore, the work area is additionally pasted over with masking tape. And for work, sealant is used in tubes, which is applied with a special gun.
Products without glaze. Many craftsmen advise covering the entire surface with a protective compound, including tiles. Of course, you will get a layer that will protect it from various influences, but this will spoil the whole appearance. In addition, there is a high probability that such a layer will peel off.

It becomes clear how to use grout and protective compounds. Sometimes it is believed that such work does not require compliance with many of the steps described. You can apply the mixture and quickly form a seam. But the result will be rather deplorable. Therefore, only strict observance of all technological processes is a guarantee of reliability, quality and attractive appearance.

VIDEO: how to properly grout the seams on the tile

Grouting or, as professionals call this process, jointing is possible without a special tool. In very small areas, you can get by with your fingers or a piece of wiring. However, if you value your time, nerves and you are completely reluctant to get your hands dirty, we advise you to purchase a special jointing spatula.

What are spatulas?

There are a lot of options for rubber spatulas - some are produced by companies involved in the development of construction tools, some come in a set with grout. Taking the first one that comes across, if only rubber is not the best strategy, because, having saved on the purchase of a quality tool, you will lose a lot of time.

Let's start the review with the most popular type of rubber spatulas - a tool with a trapezoidal rubber working plane and a comfortable plastic handle. The width of such a spatula is usually small, in the range of 50 - 150 mm. They are produced by all and sundry, so you run the risk of running into a low-quality tool. The rubber part should be moderately elastic and resilient, but not soft. It is convenient to work with such a spatula in any position and even in very cramped circumstances, for example, when you need to get your hand under furniture.

However, due to the small work surface in open space, it loses out to wider options. However, such a tool should be in the arsenal of any tiler, and it will be quite enough for.

A productive, but not very convenient, spatula for grouting in the form of a rectangle, the upper part of which is made of plastic or wood, and the lower part is made of dense rubber. Due to the small height of the rubber part, it turns out to be quite rigid, despite the large width. However, experienced craftsmen rarely acquire such a tool - firstly, their hands get dirty, and secondly, it is inconvenient to hold it for a long time, fingers get tired. The width of the spatula is quite small - about 50 mm.

A more convenient version of a rectangular spatula is a wide trapezoidal one. It is convenient to hold it both with one hand and with two, and due to the wide working part, it very quickly copes with large volumes of work. Such a tool will especially help out when it is necessary to seal the seams in the mosaic. Be sure to purchase a corner spatula - as the name implies, it is designed for sealing seams in the corners. However, it is also often used for sealing joints between decorative stone tiles, in figured mosaics. It does not have high performance, but it is very maneuverable!

A round spatula for forming seams looks like an ordinary piece of electrical wiring, and in fact it can really be replaced with an ordinary wire. It serves for the same deepening of the seams around the entire perimeter of the installation, but you probably already guessed that the effectiveness of such a device is extremely low. By the way, such a tool is sold as a bonus only when paired with a grout.

Professional tools - from grater to seam tamping

You will hardly see these tools in the home workshop - they belong in the hands of professional tilers who do this every day and in large volumes. Let's start with a grouting spatula-grater - its design is exactly like that of a grater, but it performs the functions of a spatula, thanks to a rubber or rubber working surface.

There are a lot of variations of the spatula-grater - with a monolithic "sole", with a removable one, hard, soft. It is better to purchase such tools from well-known, trusted manufacturers, for example, Litokol or Raimondi. In these cases, you will be sure that the money spent will pay off with a very long service life - a quality tool can last up to 10 years! The width of the instruments ranges from 9 to 12 cm, the average length is 25 cm.

There are also special spatulas-distributors - outwardly they look like an ordinary mop, with the only difference being that they do not wash the floor, but “dirty”, because the process of initial distribution of the grout at the seams with its help leaves a lot of stains and streaks. However, they cannot be avoided in any case, and sometimes it is much faster to use this tool and clean everything up than to mess around with each seam separately. The dimensions of this "mop" are quite impressive - the length of the working part can reach 60 cm.

A jointer gun is an indispensable tool for grouting decorative stone tiles, terracotta tiles and other uneven surfaces. In some ways, this tool resembles a confectionery syringe. It really can be replaced, if not by the confectionery syringe itself, then by a strong bag with a cut corner. You can work with such a tool only if the grout has a sufficiently liquid consistency.

When buying a pistol, it is worth buying an expensive and high-quality option than spending money on a cheap product that may not be airtight. Another interesting and useful tool in the master's arsenal is a tamper and seam leveler. Outwardly, it looks like a long cane with a replaceable metal tip that resembles a ball from a bearing. Its use is especially effective when laying tiles with wide joints, from 3 to 10 mm.

Well, what really distinguishes the master from the amateur is the presence of special sponges and buckets with squeezing rollers for quick and accurate cleaning of the tile surface from dirt. The grout contains sand and other abrasive particles as a filler that can scratch the tile. The use of high-quality foam and cellulose sponges reduces the number of scratches.

How to use the tools - the secrets of the process

By itself, the presence of all the above tools will not make you a master. It takes skill, and it can only be acquired through practice. However, it is much easier to master all the skills in practice, having also a theoretical background, and we will help you with this. Let's start by mixing the dry grout. This process is usually described in detail on the packaging of the grout, we will only suggest that the best containers for this process are plastic troughs, wide and shallow - previously photographs were developed in such. The bottom of the trough must be completely flat, so painting cuvettes will not work for you.

And today, tilers use halves of a rubber baby ball as a container for grouting - although such a container is not very convenient for kneading, it is very easy to clean it from the dried residues of the mixture. To knead the grout, metal spatulas of a convenient width are usually used - these tools should only be made of stainless steel, otherwise real rust may appear on the seams over time. Mixes should be small so that you have time to use up the mixture before it hardens. The consistency of the grout is like that of a mortar for laying bricks.

Before applying the grout, the seams should be cleaned of dust and dirt. Do not try to immediately treat the entire surface - work with an area of \u200b\u200bthe floor no more than 1 square meter at a time. If you try to wipe all the seams at once, then it will not be so easy to align the seams and clean the surface of the hardened mixture. In addition, when working in a small area, you do not have to move on an uncleaned surface.

The tile should be slightly moistened - just wipe it with a damp sponge. Thanks to this, the spatula glides better over the surface and scratches it less, and the solution is easier to smear. The rubber spatula should also be moistened, this way it is much easier to work - most often beginners make this very mistake when working with a dry tool. The spatula should be held at an angle of about 40° - this ensures optimal force. The grout should be pressed into the seams - so they will be completely filled. Voids and depressions are unacceptable, especially in the case of tiles laid outside.

tile cleaning is described in a separate article - we recommend that you read it!

It remains to analyze in detail what tool is needed for this.

Grout mixing tools.

The easiest option is to knead the grout in buckets that sell grout with hydrophobic properties. Sold in paper bags.

You can stir by hand, with a trowel. The shoulder blade should be long and rectangular. With this shape of the tool, it is easier to stir and get it from the bottom. A narrow metal spatula is less productive.

Stirring the grout by hand, with a trowel.

Often the videos show stirring the grout with a drill or screwdriver.

Possibly at low rpm. But this is another additional tool. Which needs to be washed, stored, bought, transported. The time gain is small. Except in the case of grouting tiles on the floor in the supermarket.

At this stage, another important tool is needed - a brush for washing the trowel and bucket.

If you leave it without flushing (there are many such advisers) and just, then, knock to sprinkle it, then everything will not fly off. In the new grout (and a different color), pieces of the old dry grout from the bucket will come across.

Cleaning grout tools with a brush and water.

Tool for applying grout between seams.

Spatulas for grouting were considered separately. The best was for grouting epoxy grout Litokol. It mixes well. It is convenient for them to work in corners, thanks to sharp edges. This is the opinion of the majority who have tried it in work. Those who did not do this are still rubbed with a narrow piece of rubber.

Tool for applying grout into the seams.

Tools for eroding grout and cleaning tiles.

For this stage of work, you need to have two tools:

Spatula for cleaning grout from tiles and a piece of soft foam rubber. The beauty of the seam depends on these tools.

The professional spatula is made of high quality plastic and porous cellulose. Another such tool may be called a “rubber-coated plaster grater”.

There are many analogues. You can't call them otherwise. The problem of the designers of such devices is that they do not overwrite the tile and do not understand the main property of this tool. Outwardly copying, they want the product to be a success.

Spatula for removing grout from tiles.

The main difference between such spatulas ( in photo 1-3 ) - soft foam at the base. Often with small pores. It does not collect the cooled grout well and quickly clogs with the mixture.

Also, the foam is quickly erased, but often it doesn’t come to that, because it falls off the handle. If you buy such a tool, then the whole technology is perceived as nonsense.

With a piece of foam rubber - not everything is simple either. If you take the first one that comes across, then it will last for 2-3 business days. It quickly crumbles and turns into a rag. To blur the grout on the tile, with such foam rubber, you have to press harder. This causes cavities in the seam.

I felt the difference by accident, having bought a piece of pink foam rubber at the market. It is more expensive.

Pink furniture foam.

The whole trick is in the density and rigidity of this material.

Foam rubber is made for various needs. The cheapest is packaging or soundproofing. This is the one most often used for blurring. It quickly clumps into a ball and does not absorb water.

You must use pink furniture foam. It has more density and rigidity. It does not wrinkle after repeated squeezing. Such material lasts a year, without loss of quality.

Thickness also varies. From 20mm to 100mm.

Optimal - 40 mm. With a greater thickness, it is necessary to rinse more often and more thoroughly. The grout stays in the middle of the thick piece and hardens. With a smaller thickness - poorly collects water.

Pink foam rubber 40 mm thick.

There is a more dense foam rubber in the furniture industry - blue. There was no such experience.

Below is information about the classification of foam rubber for furniture. There is a detailed explanation of why the packaging material loses elasticity:

If you choose the right tools and use them correctly, then there is no need for a round spatula to form a seam. The latter has a drawback - smearing grains of paint along the seam (for some grouts).

Tools for cleaning tiles from plaque.

This is the last stage in the trowel work. On it, it is necessary to remove the white coating from the lined surface, which appears after the cement grout dries.

You can use a simple dry cloth. It will work. But if I imagine the evolution of this tool with me, then there will be such a chain.

Work gloves > burlap > piece of towel > felt mitt.

The last option turned out to be the most effective. Such gloves are used in welding work. Sometimes they are given the name "welder's gloves". The pile removes plaque well and will never scratch the tile. One glove lasts a long time.

You can also use a more rigid version. Scotch Bright sanding sheets for hand sanding. This material has many options for implementation. It is necessary to use products that do not contain abrasive material.

They are good for removing hardened grout in pits and a deep pattern on the tile.

Felt gloves.

It is necessary to carry out cleaning from plaque after the seam has completely dried.

Dry tiles after grouting.

In this condition, as in the photo, it is too early to wipe the plaque. Seams are raw. By removing plaque, you smear the grout over the tile again. You can, once again, rinse with clean water with foam rubber. The next day, there will be less plaque and it will be easier to remove it. The more dilutions of cement grout with water, the weaker it is.

Epoxy grout tools.

To apply epoxy grout, you can use all of the above tools.

Only, in this case, some become disposable. The pores on the spatula for washing and foam rubber are clogged with a drying epoxy mixture. They lose their performance. With significant volumes, one set is not enough, you have to change.

Tiler's bucket - is it necessary for grouting?

Tiler bucket.

This tool has recently appeared on the Russian Internet market. In Western YouTube, he was seen five years ago.

The main advantage of a bucket for grouting tiles (his know-how) is rollers for cleaning porous material on a grater from grout.

This innovation allows you not to wet your hands and work without rubber gloves. Prevents cement from corroding the skin. There is nothing more useful in that set. There are disadvantages:

The first drawback is the grater that comes in the kit. It has a soft foam cover. This is one of the first three options in the photo above.
The second inconvenience is the bucket itself. As a container, it is comfortable and roomy. But this is another container that needs to be moved, stored, bought. The most balanced review of the grout bucket is here:

It is not in vain that there are attempts to combine the idea of cleaning with rollers with existing containers for working with tiles:

Use a small bath for cleaning.
Adapt a simple roller for rolling wallpaper.

A device for squeezing a grater.

Roller for cleaning rubber grater.

Tools for grouting large areas.

A set of such a tool in the video below:

It uses a mixture somewhat thinner than usual. Due to this and repeated, repeated movements on the tile, the filling of the joints is achieved. Still there, the grout is “soft” - it hardens for a long time and is easily washed off with a foam rubber sponge.

The second interesting experience is the use of a “butterfly” mop, with a mechanical spin when grouting large areas of tiles, on the floor. Its advantage is that the foam nozzle is covered with fleecy microfiber, which makes the mop absorb water, but with a hard surface. The flat surface does not wash out the grout in the joints. With such a mop, even quickly hardening mixtures can be washed.

TOOLS FOR REMOVING OLD GROUT.

Sometimes the grout does not match the color or is not applied professionally. In such cases, there is a desire to change it. The method of removing old grout from the joints depends on the type of grout applied.

If the grout is of class “CG2”, with increased resistance to abrasion, then it can only be removed mechanically:

Grinder or DREMEL mini drill. The latter is more convenient.

Tools for removing old grout.

When working with a grinder, it is necessary to pass the cutting wheel along the center of the seam, without touching the side edges of the tiles. Remains at the edges, then easily removed with a knife, with replaceable blades.

Grouts Ceresit, Sopro, - soft. They can be cut with a knife or a special scraper.

If the knife can only scratch the seam, then this is most likely Mapei's grout or similar in class. Scraper disadvantage: