Grouting Mosaics with Cavities

[TheRealRobG]

Good tip, thanks. I was using a sponge, but it really wasn't getting in there very far. How far back do they need cleaning out? I figured if I took it back just 1-2mm from the face of the tile I'd save a bit on grout. Does the grout need a good depth to stay put, or will it adhere to the adhesive, assuming the adhesive is made a bit damp beforehand?

 

[White Room]

I would going deeper than 1-2mm, if it's grey adhesive it could grin through the grout

 

[TheRealRobG]

The adhesive is white. The grout will be champagne.

If all else fails, I guess I could use white grout instead.

 

[White Room]

Just clean the joints out deeper than you normally would, then your grout should be ok

 

[TheRealRobG]

Another small point - To get the mosaics flush with the face of the larger tiles, I'm going to need to use something like a 6mm trowel, which I know is large for mosaics. I used a 10mm trowel for the large tiles, but the mosaics are about 1.6mm thicker including the backing.

I planned to lay the 6mm bed between the two rows of tiles, offer up the strip of mosaics and them gently press them flush with a flat board.

Is the thicker bed going to cause them to sag/topple forward, or should this be OK if I use plenty of spacers after pushing them into position?

Thanks.

 

[White Room]

Whats the thickness difference between the tiles

 

[Scott]

I use a spacer to drag out the addy then clean off with a sponge, get right to the wall. Good idea with the sponge though, will give that a try

Also gonna try the baton with hot glue gun trick, not thought of that before. Cheers Mike

 

[TheRealRobG]

Wall tiles = 8.8mm

Mosaics = 10.5mm

So 1.7mm difference.

I'm using a 10mm trowel to lay the wall tiles.

 

[White Room]

Just use grouting tool to tamp the mosaic to flatten out, they may sit slightly proud of the face tiles though

 

[TheRealRobG]

Do you think a 6mm trowel will be OK to bed them on, or will small tiles like those tend to droop forwards?

I'm not exactly sure technically why a small trowel is better for mosaics...