Grout / Silicon timing

[beattsmjk]

Hi

I have a kitchen splashback to grout tomorrow and then Silicon.

Unfortunately tho the customer is 40 miles away. I want to grout the kitchen but then I dont want to have to come home and then back (wasting two hours travel time).

What is the least time I need to give before grouting or does anyone have any good hints and tips that might help me???

I am using Bal microflex if that is any help

thanks

Mark

 

[DHTiling]

I Silicon first..this way no grout is in the Silicon joint...leave to skin for half hr then grout..have had no probs this way for years .....good luck mark............dave..

 

[beattsmjk]

Thanks Dave

do you not have any problems with the edge of the grout float 'catching' the Silicon bead or anything like that and spoiling it. Or do you just take extra extra care when grouting near the Silicon?

 

[DHTiling]

as long as you use a silcone thats quick setting then no probs.....but do take care no to drag it with the grout float as well.........dave..

 

[Fekin]

I must say I do it the other way round, grout then Silicon, always nice to have a smaller job as my last, once I get the Silicon gun out I know im not far from finished :martini_shaken: :martini_shaken: :martini_shaken:

 

[Fred]

I grout, clean up, then have a ***, load up the van with the tools, by the time I've found the Silicon gun under all the take-a-way boxes, the grout is nice and firm. Silicon, ask for a cheque, home, beer.

 

[Fekin]

a cheque

What's one of them ?!?!

 

[grumpygrouter]

I siliconed a job shorlty after grouting once, the moisture in the grout stopped the Silicon sticking, had to do it all again when the grout had hardened properly, and I was using BAL microflex!

Grumpy

 

[geordie2013]

I made that mistake on last job. Silicon would not stick to grout went back next morning. Was weel chuffed. Not

 

[Fekin]

I make sure my grout line thats going to be siliconed over is only thin, so by the time I get the grouting cleaned down then the Silicon ready, the groutline have dried off quite a bit.

 

[penno]

Worst thing about the job is applying Silicon. For some reason i am just totally crap at it, really crap.

 

[guy1976]

i i just grout as normal but make sure you dont grout where Silicon gos then clean the siliconed joint with blue roll and Silicon ,if you do get any grout in area that needs Silicon just scrape if out with grout rake and clean then Silicon area then grout straight away

 

[Fekin]

One job I did was a kitchen splashback using smoke grey grout and Gaz gave me a good idea, thin grout line on the worksurface, then clear Silicon all the way along so the grout line showed through the Silicon, looked really good

 

[ChaseTiling]

You need to ensure that the joint that your are siliconing is free from grout as best you can, then use a coloured Silicon (as close as possible) to the grout you are using.

The reason for this is the Silicon is acting as a 'sponge' to allow movement between the worksurface and the tile.

Chase Tiling

 

[GazTech]

Silicon will cure quicker than grout...If you Silicon each wall you finish..then grout from where you started tiling and sealing from..the timing is perfect.Push grout into the Silicon without touching it with float.......Gaz