Mixing Grout

[enduro]

I have looked at several jobs lately and the tiling is good, but the grouting is really bad...How many of you actually mix the grout correctly? or do you just put water in and add the powder until you think its OK, Do you mix it with a slow speed mixer? Do you let it stand for a couple of minutes before use?. I have a job 80sqm of limestone i have to remove the grout and replace as it has been rejected by an architect as its so bad...Not my job i have called in the rectify, the guy who layed it made a very good job laying it, but the grouting is really bad. READ THE INSTRUCTIONS AND MIX CORRECTLY...:rant:

 

[TilingLogistics]

Andrew,

Will you stop trying to put me out of work:santa_cheesy:

Kev

 

[enduro]

Andrew,

Will you stop trying to put me out of work:santa_cheesy:

Kev

OOPS sorry Kev, keep mixing as you were guys and dont read the instructions...

 

[medlar]

personally i mix it to the consistency i need,never had a bad word about my grouting yet.i generally leave it 2 or 3 mins then mix again.

 

[White Room]

I mix all my grout by hand, I did start to measure the mapei but now I know the right mix, Just get the right feel for it

 

[TilingLogistics]

personally i mix it to the consistency i need,never had a bad word about my grouting yet.i generally leave it 2 or 3 mins then mix again.

I think your totally right here! It is so important to rest the grout and slake it a little before mixing again

Kev

 

[doug boardley]

yes, even if it doesn't say to slake, I always do, and always mix by hand so as not to entrain air into it. When I've finished mixing, I go for a ciggy!

 

[medlar]

snap doug,a well earned ciggy then back to grouting,what more could a man ask for lol

 

[medlar]

on the subject of grouting,are there many who follow the old fashioned way of getting a floor grouted and dried a bit quicker by grouting,then sprinkling powdered grout on the tiles then using ya squeege to go over the joints,leaving a semi dried joint,just wondered as i aint seen or heard of this being done for a few years

 

[BDS]

I also just mix it to the consistency of what i feel is right,and always mix by hand,let it settle a few minutes then give it another little mix before applying to tiled area.

 

[doug boardley]

on the subject of grouting,are there many who follow the old fashioned way of getting a floor grouted and dried a bit quicker by grouting,then sprinkling powdered grout on the tiles then using ya squeege to go over the joints,leaving a semi dried joint,just wondered as i aint seen or heard of this being done for a few years

not seen that done medlar, but many moons ago when I was a lad, the old guys used to sprinkle wood shavings to dry and clean grout quicker

 

[White Room]

Probably sand and cement which would normally take a while to dry

 

[medlar]

not seen that done medlar, but many moons ago when I was a lad, the old guys used to sprinkle wood shavings to dry and clean grout quicker

its something i learned off an old portuguese guy who i served my time with Doug mate,it is very useful if someone else (like an apprentice) has mixed the grout for you and its too sloppy,sprinkle on dried grout,and just grout over the floor,leaves the joints full and dry enough to wash straight off
Jimmy

 

[doug boardley]

Probably sand and cement which would normally take a while to dry

am not that old whitebeam!! lol used to use it on ardurit, is that still around? (or was that just an addy?):ciappa:

 

[LM Ceramics]

i mix the grout by hand leave it to settle and then mix again and away you go about bad grouting you can do the best tiling job but poor grouting will make it look a mess