Back to basics - wall tiling

[White Room]

I find mapei grout if left a bit longer allows time for it to set that little bit more but don't over do to much at once.

 

[cornish_crofter]

I'm using the standard BAL grout on this. How long should I leave it after applying it?

 

[Alberta Stone]

I have found that at times it is necessary to go with the groutlines (not diagonal to them) just to give a nice final and uniform appearance to the line in question when washing. (lightly of course)
If I pull to much out when washing I rake it out completely, and when the surface water(not standing water, just the wet film which needs to evaporate) is gone I repack and wash again.
I always strive for as little as possible grout being washed out (fully packed grout line), so I do not wash vigorously.
The technique has to change with the weather and the materials as what works on one doesn't always work on the next.
Sometimes it is the easiest part of the job and other times it is the hardest.

 

[Alberta Stone]

I'm using the standard BAL grout on this. How long should I leave it after applying it?

Do a little mock up and apply grout and wash immediately, and another with waiting for the recommended time and see the difference the next day.
There is none.

 

[aph257]

Hugo, have you got a Washboy? using one the sponge is drawn across the tiles just once then rinsed, I use this method also with normal sponge.

 

[cornish_crofter]

No I don't have a washboy.

The thing I found with grouting that I remembered from a while back, is that the longer you spend on it the more difficult it gets.

The process I tended to adopt (I took my time over it) was this

1) Mix the grout to a stiff paste

2) apply with force into the joints to expel any air etc

3) Leave for about 15 mins

4) lightly wipe with a sponge, either drawn diagonally or for stubborn areas, small circular motions.

5) Allow to dry off then clean tiles with clean grout sponge.

Your replies reminded me that it was fairly easy.

I think my main problem with this job is that I haven't done any tiling for a while and I'm basically out of practice. So on the one hand I'm trying to improve on the last job, but the last job was the better one as I had done a fair bit of tiling before then.

Thanks a lot for your continuous flow of answers guys.

Hugo

 

[Mouldy]

Hugo, I personally find Bal grout a right pita, (the one with microban). Ive found in the past that having left it to set up and the sponged it off, it seems to 'shrink' back and needs grouting over again to achieve a decent finish. Maybe it just me, maybe its the product or maybe both. However having used Ardex, Webber and Nicobond grout's the same problem dosent appear. My preference of the three is Webber, lovely stuff to use.

 

[Ian]

I think it was mentioned in an earlier post, the mapei fast setting grout (ultra I think it's called) is really good for getting fuller, flusher joints. Be careful if you do use it because it goes off quite quickly. Only do 1 metre then wash. BAL grout is workable for longer but sometimes you get the problem of the tile biscuit showing, like you mentioned, due to grout coming out during the washing off process.

 

[cornish_crofter]

The tile biscuit showing is a curse I had to handle today, so it's interesting what you say.

TBH I had bought this bag of grout for another job earlier this year. However I had some other grout which worked fine so I didn't use it. It's about 7 months old so it should be fine.

I mixed it quite stiff. I didn't notice any shrinkage. I used to get this quite often with cheap tubbed grout before I discovered the virtues of bagged grout. You would have to go over twice.

I take your point about the Weber grout as an option thought Mouldy.

 

[Mouldy]

Never used ready mixed grout mate so couldn't comment!

 

[BoldreChris]

I'd vote for the Weber grout too! I usually use their "Fine Flex" product as the "Wide" is just too gritty - gives a rough surface which is hard to keep clean (though that could be just my technique!)

 

[aph257]

personnally i use Granfix's Hygienic Maxigrout, comes in dozen colours of which i've used most and realy smooth compared to others i've tried. i don't do BAL, too expensive.