which sponges and floats for grouting?

[John the tile]

hello

ive been reading some threads and someone mentioned using a round edge sponge. well i ve only been using a squared edge sponge,.. what are the reasons for this and what kinda price do people pay for their sponges., also how often do people replace their sponges?

i just want to run my grouting technique past people.

i only grout about 1m sq with my b and q float at a time. THEN i use the float horizontially and make sure theirs no excess on the tiles. THEN i use my dryish sponge horizontally with slight pressure again to clean excess of. and FINALLY i rinse sponge and do a circle motion all over. THEN buff tiles later up.

Also what different types of floats are their and their purposes. Ive read polishing float?? I only know one float and thats the one i got from b and q with a black handle and white flat face.

I know ive asked alot, thanks for any information.

 

[DHTiling]

You should really give the grout time to set up or it will pull in the joints.

 

[david campbell]

the b&q floats are ok,but tend to wear at the edges a lot quicker than other floats,personally i always use rounded sponges from topps at £1 each,tryed the rubi square ones and didn't really like them,though i think it was more to do with changing and feeling akward,i tend to grout larger areas when doing walls and floors though depending on the size of the area

 

[doug boardley]

I use different floats and sponges for different types of tiles, rough slate tends to tear your sponges to bits, so I normally use cheapo car washing sponges for these. Normally use segmented sponges on a plastic float,in conjunction with my washboy, for all other tile types

 

[Time's Ran Out]

The best sponge has square edges and are supplied stamped with either BAL or ARDEX ie the adhesive manufactures.
The best grouting tool is an American Sqeegee/float available from CTD and similar to the B&Q one but twice the price.
If you are not proficient in grouting its not how much you put on its how /when to take off and this will be determined by the background absorbsion, the consistency of the grout, and the weather conditions.
As a general rule I would leave it in the first area you grout until it can be left at the top of the joint when you put the back of your nail through it.
With a wet but not running sponge wipe off all grout and when still damp in joint run a smooth finger through the joint.
Leave to powder dry on tile surface and polish off ( usually within 10/15mins ) with clean terry towel babies nappy!
With practice you should be grouting 1-2 walls at a time.

Timeless John.

 

[biffa]

With john on the sponges, only use Ardex or Bal with Marshalltown float. always wash off diagonally with sponge, wipe once turn sponge over. wipe again then rinse sponge. Leaves a lovely clean tile and full joint.

 

[John the tile]

good replies. will take on board.

im doing kitchen splashbacks with 15cm johnsons tiles. 3 tiles high, cupboards up above, sockets everywhere, etc. there a right pain to grout, its a case of get the grout in best as poss, turning the float everyway and direction etc. Im using Bal grout, ive read on other posts, to mix to a toothpaste or mayonaise type of consistency.?

think im gona try some different sponges out.

yep the b amd q floats wear quickly.


think im gona try finishing with the finger. cus i actually end up doing this on a lot of joints sometimes because after ive sponged theres sometimes a thin score line in the grout line, like someone has run a screw through it?

thanks will let u know 2mow how it goes.

 

[John the tile]

Done the finger option today,

just wanted to say, im tiling onto new plaster, so its pretty porous. when i start grouting, and move along the wall, the grout goes pretty dry pretty quick, -- e.g ill touch it after a few mintues and the moist has gone out of it , very dry,

and when i do first sponge then put my smooth finger along the joints it drags/tears. so i had to resort back to sponging it twice...

any thoughts.

thanks