Tool for grouting tile joints. Spatula for grouting joints - apply the fugue professionally Forming the contour of the seam

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The final stage of tiling the base is filling (grouting) the joints special mixtures to ensure solidity finishing coating and the aesthetics of the cladding, part of which is the correctly selected configuration, width and color of the tile joints. Filling tile joints with grout mixture is most often done with a rubber spatula.

When choosing an angle spatula, make sure it has perpendicular sides

If the seams are wide and deep, they are filled using a construction syringe, but evenly and smooth surface The joints are then still formed with a rubber spatula. The quality of this operation largely depends on the tool used. Let's look at what it is rubber spatula for grouting joints, what requirements it must meet, and in general everything you need to know about it simple adaptation.

What is a rubber spatula

This tool consists of a working part - a flexible but sufficiently elastic plate 3-5 mm thick, and a handle made of rigid material. On small products used in hard to reach places oh, the handle is also flexible. Elastic spatulas differ from each other by the following characteristics:

appointment;
form;
size;
working part material;
handle design.

The main factor here is the purpose, which determines all other characteristics of the tool, so we will consider the division by purpose with a description characteristic properties each group.

Types and purposes

There are three types of rubber spatulas based on their intended purpose:

soft planning;
painting;
grout;
jointing

Soft planning

This tool is made from strip soft rubber or rubber, fixed along the entire length in a rigid handle. The working edge of such a product has a thickness of 3-5 mm, a length of 25-60 cm and a chamfer at an angle of 45 degrees on one side along the entire length. The format of the spatula with a handle is rectangle or trapezoid.

The spatula for grouting joints is most often made of hard rubber.

A leveling spatula is used for smoothing wallpaper and grouting seams of large-format tiles and mosaics with cement-based mixtures. The working side of the rubber sheet is the one on which the chamfer is removed. Such a soft instrument can also be made from high-quality latex, but the price of this variety is much higher, and its use may be limited to one cycle.

Painting rubber

Tool for painting works it is also made from sheet rubber or rubber 3-5 mm thick, but the length of its working edge is 10-25 cm. The chamfer is removed from both sides of the blade, which allows you to work on both sides.

The blade of the paint spatula can be black or white. The color of the canvas indicates the material of manufacture and the degree of its rigidity. The black canvas is made of rubber and has greater rigidity compared to white rubber. The rubber sheet, due to its greater rigidity, allows the joints to be filled more tightly with grout. In addition, rubber sheets are more resistant to oxides contained in grout and cracking, which means they are more durable.

A paint spatula will help apply the plaster and give it its original shape.

The handle of a paint spatula is made of wood or plastic and resembles the shape of a brush handle. In combination with the flexible part, the product format can be triangular or trapezoidal, the handle to the working edge is located perpendicularly or at an angle of 45 degrees.

An elastic spatula can be used to fill oval surfaces and grout complex mosaic-lined substrates. Its medium size makes it a universal device, that is, convenient and productive both when grouting the surface of mosaic columns and when filling tile joints on flat bases.

For filling tile joints

The dimensions of the working edge of this tool vary from 5 to 10 cm, the format of the tool is triangle or trapezoid. The soft part can be tucked into a handle made of wood or plastic. Small-sized spatulas used in hard-to-reach places can be made from whole piece elastic material without using a rigid handle. The working edge may have a chamfer, or the cross-section of the product may be made in the shape of a wedge. The color of the flexible part of the tool also indicates the material of manufacture - rubber or caoutchouc.

Rubber spatula for grouting joints

This tool is mainly used for arranging seams in ceramics, although it can also be used to fill deep cracks and joints of various joints. finishing materials. The size of the device is selected based on the dimensions of the tile, and the rigidity is selected based on the depth of the joints to be filled. Small-sized spatulas are often sold in sets of 3-5 pieces, differing in format, length of the rubber edge and elasticity of the working part of the tool.

Jointing spatula

This type of tool performs the same function as a mason's steel jointer in production. brickwork– formation of a decorative profile of a certain configuration on the surface of the grout at the joints of the tiles. That is, the joints of the tiles are first filled with a grouting compound using another device, after which their profile is shaped using rubber jointing definite form with simultaneous compaction of the mixture in the joints.

How to choose the right one

The price of this device varies, depending on the size and area of application, from 10 to 600 rubles. When purchasing, you should proceed, first of all, from the tasks that will need to be solved and the amount of work. If the amount of work is small, the surface to be tiled is simple, and grouting joints is not your regular activity, then you should not purchase expensive tools from well-known brands.

In most cases, you should choose a spatula designed specifically for filling tile joints with a working edge length of 5 to 10 cm. If the tile thickness exceeds 4 mm, then to better fill the joints, you should choose a more rigid tool.

Rubber spatula is designed for sealing small cracks

To grout the mosaic, you need to purchase a painting rubber spatula with a working edge of 10 to 25 cm. The rigidity of the flexible part in this case does not play a big role, since the mosaic chips have a thickness of no more than 4 mm, which is not difficult to fill with the correct consistency of the grouting composition.

The comfort of the handle is determined individually, and its size or presence depends on the accessibility of the seams to be filled. It is believed that a wooden handle is inferior in durability to a plastic one, but wood rubs your hands less and in any case will outlive the elastic part of the tool.

When purchasing a rubber spatula, you need to carefully inspect its elastic part. Rubber or caoutchouc, when bent, should not have microcracks or holes, since during the first use they will be filled with grout, deform the working edge and soon lead to separation of the flexible part. After bending, the elastic part should immediately restore its shape without changes.

If you need to choose a high-quality tool, it is advisable to purchase products from the domestic company “Zubr” or foreign companies STAYER, SPARTA or FIT, which have proven themselves well in the Russian market.

Rubber spatula, white “ZUBR”

Instrument care

The main requirement for ensuring the durability of an elastic spatula is to use it for its intended purpose and wash it after finishing work.

A rubber tool cannot be used for puttying plastered or other abrasive surfaces - this will ruin the flexible working edge after the first few movements. Do not use a rubber spatula for grouting with epoxy resins.

After finishing the work, the spatula must be thoroughly washed from the grouting compound with water and dried. Do not scrape to clean rubber. After drying, the rubber part of the instrument is rubbed with talcum powder or chalk.

Clinker tiles were invented in the first half of the 19th century and are tiles in the form ceramic stone. It is made from baked clay, and its first production was established in Holland.

The tile turned out to be quite durable and began to be used as a building material in those countries where the extraction of natural stone was insufficient to satisfy the need. They began to use it to pave roads and sidewalks, to use it in the construction of houses, as well as for their decoration.

Currently, clinker tiles are made from special slate clay, which has a high melting point. In addition, impurities such as salt and carbonate must be completely removed from the clay. To color it or give it additional properties, various metal oxides are added to the composition.

Process heat treatment occurs over 36 to 48 hours, maintaining a temperature of more than 1300 degrees. But the result is excellent. The tile is baked completely and evenly. In addition, it acquires water-repellent properties, it is very durable, does not change its color under the influence of UV, is resistant to aggressive environments, and, very importantly, it is environmentally friendly. Naturally, these properties of the tile make it very popular. building material.

The use of clinker tiles in house construction and landscaping

It is used to line swimming pools, house facades, sidewalks and roads, and much more. For example, building a house from face brick is very expensive. You can even use used brick and cover it with brick-like clinker tiles.

This material is used for both exterior and interior works. Used as cladding in the bathroom has the advantage that the foot practically does not slip on a wet floor. It has also proven itself well for lining fireplaces and stoves.

Work on laying clinker tiles

For the beauty of this material to fully reveal itself, it must be laid correctly. It is very important to achieve beautiful and even seams. No matter how beautiful the material is, if it is laid ineptly, it does not create the appropriate appearance.

The use of grout or whatever it is also called - fugue, moreover, aims not only to improve appearance, but also to provide protection from moisture getting under the coating, while preventing the growth and spread of mold. This applies to indoor work.

If the tiles are laid outdoors, it is important to protect them from moisture so that when they freeze, the tiles will not swell after the “freezing-thawing” process.

Of course, there is also a purely aesthetic purpose - you can choose different colors grout so that the color of the tiles looks advantageous. There are also situations when you need to align the edges of tiles, which sometimes have slight unevenness. A fugue can help hide this.

For work, special tools are used for grouting tile joints. They come in two types: a tool for grouting clinker tiles and a tool for removing grout from tile joints.

Tile grouting tool

The first tools are needed to apply the mixture between the tiles and compact it well. The quality of the work depends on how tight the seam is. For a tool such as mason jointing, a semi-dry grout is used. It is used for working with brick-shaped tiles, since with this tool a seam with a slightly rough structure is obtained, as it should be with real brickwork.

Use narrow thin spatulas to level the seams and a spatula or trowel made of either plywood or metal sheet.

Grouting tool - a special trowel for applying semi-dry mixtures

Of course, only competent and experienced specialists use this method. Another drawback is that you can only get two colors of grout - gray and beige.

There is also this type of grout application - this is the application of a composition that has the thickness of store-bought sour cream, which is then leveled and compacted with a special grater with a rubber sole. After drying, the residues are removed or special tool to remove grout from tile joints or with a special sponge, placing it on the edge at an angle of 45 degrees. Usually, if the grout good quality, it can be easily removed from the tiles. If the grout is of poor quality or was not removed on time, use special means to clean the tiles from dirt.

Process of working with liquid composition grout.

Of course, the price for such a composition is high, especially taking into account the waste, but it is quite versatile and durable to use.

Finally, a gun is used on the wall masonry to apply the compound, diluted to a paste. At the same time, excess composition does not stain the tiles, which is especially important when applied vertically.

Applying the composition using a gun

Then aged certain time which is indicated in the instructions. We must remember that each manufacturer gives its own recommendations for using grout. After the specified time, the excess is removed, and the seam is leveled with a special tool for grouting clinker tile joints.

Aligning a seam using a tool

Yet again, high-quality composition leaves no streaks. True, special substances are added to the composition that make the grout more flexible and convenient when using a gun, which increases its cost, but there are many shades for application and it is easy to work with such a composition.

To perform all this work you need good tool, which it is advisable not to make from improvised materials, but to buy in specialized stores.

To buy a tool for grouting tiles, you need to know what composition you will be using. If this is a composition for continuous application, then you only need a grater, which has a rubber sponge at the bottom, and the body can be made of plastic or wood.

For example, it could be like this:

It’s easy to buy a set of tools for grouting clinker tiles; the main thing is to make sure that they will work well. To do this, it is better to buy the instrument in person, and not through an online store, if possible. It is better to take Polish trowels themselves for leveling and filling seams - the quality is good and the price is not exorbitant. True, for a pistol you will have to pay an amount of 3,500 rubles. But the cost of the work will quickly pay for the cost of a good tool.

Grout gun

Work with laying corrugated tiles

In addition to the long-known clinker tiles, which have big advantage before other species ceramic tiles, designers together with technologists have released a type of cladding such as porcelain stoneware tiles with a special surface that has the appearance of convex and concavity in the form of a pattern.

Applications of corrugated tiles

When laying, a single pattern is obtained, and during the manufacture of such tiles, the edges are leveled and polished, so the seams remain practically invisible. In addition, it is very convenient for laying on the floor in the bathroom or kitchen, since the ridges prevent slipping. After additives were invented that prevent dirt from remaining in the tile pattern, its use received a new round.

Laying corrugated tiles

After laying the tiles on the surface, they need to stand for a day. This optimal time, since there is still some moisture left under the tile, which will work well for better adhesion of the fugue to the tile. Since the composition does not need to be used in a creamy state, it is better to use grout in the form of a semi-dry and paste mixture.

The best tool for grouting grooved tiles is either a gun or a spatula, it depends on the size of the surface being treated.

Applying a fugue to the seams when laying corrugated tiles

After which all seams are coated with a special soft cloth or a special grater with a sponge bottom (not to be confused with foam rubber, this is different).

The next step, without waiting for complete drying, using a tool for removing grout from the tile joints, remove all excess, wipe it. This tool is called a grout remover and is used specifically for these purposes.

Tool for removing grout from seams.

You can simply do without this tool, just use cardboard for cleaning as you work, then a soft cloth and rinse after a while.

If you need to update the grout to provide additional antifungal properties, you can use various electrical accessories, for example, Dremel.

Removing old grout using a Dremel.

We clean the work area with a brush and rag and apply the desired new composition.

After completing finishing work on laying tiles, mosaics, and tiles, gaps remain. To improve the tightness of the surface, protect the base from moisture and give the finish a finished look, the tile joints are grouted. Work begins with the selection of material, tools, and surface preparation.

For finishing walls and floors use tiles, ceramics, glass, porcelain stoneware, mosaic, clinker, smalt. The gaps need to be filled - this gives the coating an aesthetically attractive appearance and allows you to create a monolithic sealed plane. Various mixtures are used to grout tile joints:

Cement. The component composition includes Portland cement, additives, fine sand, and polymers. The mixtures are easy to work with and are suitable for final processing. tiled surfaces in living rooms, bedrooms.

Epoxy two-component. Two components are used - resin and hardener-catalyst. The finished paste has a short lifespan of up to 60 minutes, so the grout solution must be produced immediately.

Polyurethane solutions. The mixtures include polyurethane resins in the form of aqueous dispersions. In terms of quality and properties, polyurethane sealants are similar to epoxy sealants; they have a limit on joint thickness of up to 6 mm.

Used for grouting tile joints special materials, if the tile is laid on a difficult surface or is exposed to aggressive environments. In this case, silicone sealants, heat-resistant solutions, and compositions with furan resins are used.

Important: A high-quality mixture, in addition to the main binder component, must contain impregnations, additives, minerals, latex or other fillers that improve the performance properties of the composition.

Tools for work

In the building environment, grouting ceramic or other tiles is called jointing. The master’s task is to evenly fill the gaps with the prepared solution. To grout ceramic tiles with your own hands, use the following tools:

Stirring the solution is done with a drill with an attachment or a construction mixer.

2. To fill gaps, you need a set of rubber spatulas; for epoxy compounds, use a hard rubber tool.

3. Buckets or other containers in which it is convenient to stir the grout mixture, a tank with clean water.

4. Preparatory work and cleaning of tile joints is carried out paint brush, knife, special solvent.

5. If a two-component epoxy-based composition is used, grout the tile joints with a foam sponge.

Since the substances included in the mixtures belong to the category of chemical components, you need to work with gloves, preferably using a mask or respirator. To remove excess mass, keep a dry, lint-free rag on hand.

Surface preparation

An important advantage of pastes on any basis is good adhesion to any surfaces.. This is true when the surface being processed is completely free of contamination. Therefore, before applying grout to the tiles, you need to remove dust and debris. How to prepare for grouting:

Some solutions set better on a slightly moistened surface, but these conditions do not need to be met when grouting ceramic tile joints with two-component mixtures. To avoid scratching fragments of cladding, the adhesive can be removed wooden stick, and not with a sharp blade. If you need to sand seams on a porous surface, craftsmen recommend covering the joints on both sides masking tape so that less grout gets on the tiles - it leaves stains on the porous material.

Attention: The joints can be grouted no earlier than 8-24 hours after laying the tiles. The time indicator depends on the drying speed of the tile adhesive.

Preparation of the solution

To simplify the work of grouting tile joints with your own hands, you can purchase ready mixture. The shelf life of such compositions is limited, and the cost is much higher. If dry powder is used, then depending on the product chosen (cement-based, epoxy-based, polyurethane-based), you need to mix the components or dilute them with water in the proportion indicated on the package:

Dry grout is diluted with water or hardener in a clean container using a drill with an attachment.

2. The tool must be turned on at low speed and mixed until a homogeneous mass is formed.

It is important to strictly follow the proportions specified by the manufacturer, otherwise the composition will lose its beneficial properties. Grouting of joints is carried out on a prepared surface, and you should simultaneously grout 1-2 squares of tiles and immediately clean the surface of excess mass. Liquid cement mixture can be stored for 12-24 hours, and epoxy compounds are produced within 45-60 minutes.

Application of mixtures

Before grouting the seams of ceramic tiles, you need to allow the time necessary for the adhesive to completely harden. The drying speed is affected by the composition of the adhesive, temperature and humidity. environment. When using cement grout, the joints are pre-moistened with water for better adhesion, and epoxy solutions are applied to dry joints. How to grout tile joints:

The gaps can be additionally treated with an antiseptic or antifungal primer.
When grouting tile joints on the floor with your own hands, apply the mixture with a wide spatula in a diagonal direction.
For jointing on a wall, you can use a smaller tool, filling the gaps from top to bottom.
Take a small amount of the mixture onto a spatula and fill the joints, pressing the solution with some force.
If the spatula no longer fits into the joint, it means that the gap is completely filled with mortar and there are no voids in it.
After grouting the joints on the floor and wall with an area of 1-2 m2, they begin shaping and jointing.
The plastic grout is trimmed with a piece of cable of the appropriate diameter, and the excess mass is removed.

When working with epoxy compounds, the seams are formed with a sponge or trimmed with a finger. The tiles are immediately cleaned, and when the product hardens, clean it with a special solvent. If after jointing there are still problem areas(lumps, pits), they are carefully sealed with fresh paste.

Note: The grout should be a fraction of a millimeter below the tile level. You need to form beautiful joints with a damp, clean sponge so as not to deform the joints with the remains of grout that has dried on the foam rubber.

After grouting tile joints with your own hands in the bathroom or kitchen facing material you need to clean off any remaining mixture before the paste dries completely. A suitable cleaning method for this is using a damp foam sponge or a clean rag. Excess cement mass is removed 20-30 minutes after filling with the solution. When working with two-component compounds, the surface must be cleaned immediately. Recommendations from the experts:

3.You can prepare solutions with the addition lemon juice, vinegar, toothpaste.

After cleaning, carefully inspect the condition of the seams. If necessary, prepare a new portion of the mixture and smooth out the deformed joints. The final treatment is carried out the next day - polish the ceramics with a dry rag and impregnate the seams with colorless silicone sealant. It prevents the formation of fungus and mold, and additionally protects tile joints from moisture.

On video: The best way grouting tiles

Dry cleaning

In the process of grouting joints in the bathroom or kitchen, even with the most careful application of the paste, excess mass is formed. If cement grout is used, the remaining substance can be wiped off with a dry rag after drying. Some craftsmen polish non-porous tiles with a grater with a rubber nozzle. Epoxy and polyurethane compounds are removed immediately before the mixture hardens.

With the dry cleaning method, particles of dried paste are not allowed to fall on the seams. Use a grater to work diagonally, constantly cleaning the tool from hardened pieces of grout. Relief tiles are cleaned with an old toothbrush. At large volume work and application of epoxy mixtures, professional builders use electric monobrushes with removable felt discs.

For processing joints flooring Cement or epoxy mixtures are used. Compositions resistant to mechanical damage, are not subject to abrasion. To increase the service life, after grouting the floor tiles, the joints are coated with silicone sealants - not necessary, but reliable. The technology for grouting joints on the floor between porcelain stoneware tiles is practically no different from processing vertical surfaces with your own hands:

Prepare tools - a set of spatulas, a drill, construction knife, grater, foam sponges, container for mixture and water, rags.
Remove the fastening crosses, clean the floor, and “sweep” it with a paint brush.
Prepare the solution: add the cement mixture to water or latex, gradually mixing.
If you are using a drill, you need to turn the tool on at 300 rpm so that there are no air bubbles in the paste.
Before applying cement grout, the joints are moistened for better adhesion of the composition to the base of the floor.

The next process is to fill the gaps between the tiles. Grouting of floor tiles at the seams is done diagonally, and you need to start work from the far corner of the room, moving towards the entrance to the room. The mixture must be rubbed in with pressure, completely filling the voids between the fragments of the floor covering. After preparing the base, grouting the tiles in the bathroom with your own hands is done as follows:

A square meter of tile is wetted at the joints, but there should be no drops of water.

2. Use the grout prepared for the joints between the tiles to fill the gaps, gaining required quantity mixture onto a spatula.

3. Some craftsmen rub in the composition with a special grater, others use a spatula - it depends on the tile (porous, textured).

After treating one or two squares of the flooring area, the area is cleared of grout warm water or by special means. You can use a construction bag (cone) to fill the solution. The required amount of paste is placed in it and squeezed into the gaps, smoothing the mixture with a grater or spatula. After 15-20 minutes, go over the seams with a damp sponge to level the mixture and complete the jointing. While the composition dries, begin processing the next square. If used epoxy material, knead the paste in such an amount to produce a solution within an hour. The seam is considered ideal if it is recessed relative to the joints of the tiles and has a smooth structure.

Differences from grout on walls

There is no significant difference between how to properly grout tiles on the wall and on the floor. The technology remains unchanged, and the work is performed in the same order - drying the tile adhesive, preparing the surface, preparing the solution, applying the mixture, cleaning the tiles from excess grout. Minor differences in operation:

The floor composition should be more resistant to mechanical damage.
On the wall, grouting the tile joints is done vertically from top to bottom; it is more convenient to work with a spatula.
The floor covering is processed diagonally; you can use a spatula, grater, or construction bag.

After the mixture has completely dried, you can treat the seams with silicone sealant. The transparent substance reliably protects the grout from moisture absorption and gives the composition dirt-repellent properties. The tube of sealant has a nozzle or brush for easy application.

Width of grout joints

A controversial issue that professional builders do not give an exact answer to is the width grout joints. Need to be guided simple rule– a wide gap between the tiles reduces the solidity and mechanical strength of the coating, but visually gives the surface strict geometric lines. Recommendations from the experts:

The length of the tile on one side is less than 10 cm - the seam is 1-3 mm.
The size of the material is more than 10 cm on the side - the joint will be 2-8 mm.
For clinker tiles, it is correct to grout joints of 8-15 mm.
Between small fragments of the mosaic you need to leave 1-3 mm.
Extruded tiles with large edges (up to 30 cm) are grouted with joints 4-10 mm thick.

A large gap (up to 12 mm) is left between irregularly shaped products so as not to draw attention to the geometry of the products. The seams on the floor can be made wider than on the walls. To restore the old coating, you can re-process the joints. This applies to cement grouts, which are susceptible to cracking if the technology for preparing and applying the solution is violated. Old seams are treated sandpaper, carefully clean out dust and grout residues, cover with fresh mixture. In some cases, it is more convenient to restore tile joints by painting. To completely replace the sealant, a special cleaner is poured onto the old grout. When the grout softens, it is removed with a joint compound. After cleaning the gaps, you need to grout the ceramic tiles again, adhering to the technology described above.

Finishing tiles using grout mixtures requires care and skill. Not all craftsmen will be able to obtain impeccable quality grout the first time. It is important to carry out the work gradually, filling small areas walls or ceiling so that mistakes remain possible to correct. The result of painstaking work will exceed the expectations of the master - after grouting the joints, the tiles acquire a beautiful visual effect.

Simple methods for grouting tile joints (2 videos)

Types and methods of grouting tile joints (20 photos)

By grouting the joints after laying the tiles, you can achieve two significant results. Firstly, a harmonious surface is created that will fully comply with the design ideas. Secondly, the possibility of mold and mildew occurring is neutralized, and overall contamination is reduced. Naturally, the work must be carried out in compliance certain rules.

There is a certain period of time that you must wait before performing necessary measures. Thus, grouting of ceramic tiles is carried out one day after laying the material. Much depends on the glue used. Why can't we wait longer? There are several reasons for this:

On the second day, the mixture used for cladding retains slight elasticity. This means that it will be easy to remove when cleaning the seams. Subsequently you will have to put in a lot more effort.
The moisture remaining in the solution promotes better adhesion. Of course, it is possible to additionally wet the gaps. But this can lead to some disadvantages: it becomes liquid and less elastic. It is much more difficult to work with such a mixture.
Open seams quickly become dirty. Small particles of dust and dirt quickly get into open holes and clog them. This makes it much more difficult to apply the solution.

It becomes extremely clear that such work must be completed on time. Then it will be possible to obtain a coating that will meet all the necessary requirements.

Grouting of joints after laying ceramic tiles is carried out after 24 hours

Preparation of the solution

For work, you can use a ready-made mixture, which is sold in construction stores. It just needs to be mixed well before use. There are also dry solutions; they have to be diluted in advance. To prepare you will need the following:

Water room temperature. It is allowed to pre-settle so that possible inclusions settle to the bottom of the bucket.
Mixing container. It should be convenient to work with and also be larger than the intended amount of mixture. It should be borne in mind that the amount of material prepared should be such that it is used up before drying begins.
Spatula or trowel. This tool is necessary for kneading. Of course, you can use a drill with a mixer attachment, but given the small amount of mixture being prepared, this will be a pointless exercise. It’s better to do everything by hand to get the desired result and not collect the solution from the walls of the container.

The grout solution is best mixed using a spatula or trowel.

The cooking process looks like this:

Each grout for tile joints contains instructions from the manufacturer. It indicates the amount of water required to prepare the required volume of the mixture.
Water is poured into the mixing container. Next, a small part of the material is poured. Now you should mix the composition well. If it turns out too dry, then add more water, or vice versa.
All components must be diluted to a paste. After which the grouting solution is left for about five minutes. Then stirring is repeated.

The result is a homogeneous substance that has sufficient viscosity and elasticity. She is very comfortable to work with. But after some time, the properties will begin to deteriorate.

After mixing all the components, a viscous and very elastic mixture is obtained.

Grouting technology

It should be taken into account that grouting tile joints with your own hands is carried out in several stages. The continuous work area should be two square meters. This is how we manage to do everything efficiently. Of course, when there is sufficient experience, the process speeds up much.

Before grouting the tiles, prepare necessary tool: rubber spatula, grater, rags, sponge, spatula for forming a seam (smoother).

Immediately before applying the grout, you must prepare the necessary tools and rubber gloves

Further activities are as follows:

When unglazed tiles are used, they are pre-moistened. This is done using a sponge, which helps water penetrate deep into the joints. But this must be done very carefully; drips and excess moisture must not be allowed to occur. When the material is glazed, this process can be skipped.
Advice! It is better not to use tile sponges that are used for washing dishes. There are other options, they are sold in car service departments.
The pre-prepared mixture is applied to a grout grater. The tool is placed at an angle of thirty degrees to the surface and begins to move it diagonally. This method is used because when moving horizontally or vertically, it is not possible to apply the composition evenly.

When applying grout to the tiles, you must move diagonally

The procedure for grouting tile joints requires some effort. You need to press down on the grater to fill all possible voids. You can also use a rubber spatula for this work. But then the process will take much longer. After all, you will have to press the solution in small portions throughout the entire work area. The spatula is great for hard to reach places and corners.
On a note! Corners are a very noticeable place that is often overlooked. Therefore, work in such areas must be carried out very carefully.
Having filled all the gaps in the selected area of work, begin grouting using the dry method. To do this, clean the grater from any remaining mixture and place it at an angle of eighty degrees to the surface. And again, all movements are performed exclusively diagonally. This makes it possible to remove excess composition. It happens that the solution is unintentionally removed from the seam - then the mixture is reapplied.
The surface is left for fifteen minutes. During this time, you can wipe down another area. Now it's time to use the wet method. To do this, moisten the sponge in water, very generously, and begin to move it diagonally. But before proceeding with these manipulations, check that the putty is no longer removed from the seam. You should experiment a little first.

Coming next stage. It resembles the previous one, but the differences are that the sponge is wrung out well. And the movements should be circular. Excessive pressure should be avoided. This is how you can remove the grout material. You must remember that the sponge must be constantly washed and wrung out well.
On a note! This process can quickly ruin the sponge, rendering it useless. Therefore, you should have a spare product.
The sealing of the seams between the tiles is not completed. Next, it's time to use special devices to form beautiful spaces between adjacent elements. It is convenient to use a special spatula; it looks like a small round stick. When the procedure is completed, the next turn of the sponge begins. It is carried parallel to the seam - erasing all excess. It is possible to obtain a rounded seam. If this is not required, then the gaps are simply leveled flush with the tiles.

It seems that DIY ceramic tile grouting is coming to an end. In fact, it should be taken into account that this event is quite long and requires further continuation. Now you need to wait until the suture material has dried sufficiently, and you can begin to remove the remaining excess, which will be everywhere present on the front side products.

For work, an indispensable sponge is used, which is washed and wrung out well. With quick movements it is carried along the surface to the length of an outstretched arm. Each next pass must be parallel to the previous one. If you do everything correctly, then in this way you can remove all the remaining solution. Of course, it will be difficult to do this completely, but it is not necessary. The main thing is to remove large excesses from the tiles, which will dry quickly.

Sealing

Sealing is a necessary process that is performed immediately after finishing the grouting work. It is needed to give the seam increased strength. This will protect it from exposure to various chemical substances and water. The choice of material is approached with the utmost care. For work, it is better to use compounds that are completely transparent. They are made on the basis of silicone.

On a note! This solution has a rather specific odor, similar to ammonia. Therefore, it is better to perform work in a respirator.

The sealing process makes the seam more durable

Before sealing joints protective compounds, are determined with further actions that will be focused on the type of ceramic product:

Material with applied glaze. All activities must be carried out very carefully. Such a surface is very easy to damage or even completely ruin. Therefore, the work area is additionally covered with masking tape. And for work they use sealant in tubes, which is applied with a special gun.
Products without glaze. Many craftsmen advise covering the entire surface with a protective composition, including tiles. Of course, you will get a layer that will protect it from various influences, but this will ruin the entire appearance. In addition, there is a high probability that such a layer will peel off.

It becomes clear how to use grout and protective compounds. It is sometimes believed that such work does not require compliance with many of the steps described. You can apply the mixture and quickly form a seam. But the result will be quite disastrous. Therefore, only strict adherence to all technological processes– a guarantee of reliability, quality and attractive appearance.

VIDEO: how to properly grout seams on tiles

It would seem that the first rubber spatula you come across for grouting joints, or even an ordinary rubber band, would be suitable for jointing. But the ease of doing the job and the final result will depend on the quality of the tool. If you often lay tiles or simply value ease of use, this article is for you. In it I will talk about the tool for grouting tiles, its choice and differences.

In the photo you can see several options for rubber spatulas

The first spatula is the most popular. It has a comfortable handle, but small work surface, therefore reducing productivity. Imagine how much time it will take to grout a mosaic with such a tool.
The second option has an inconvenient handle, so it is more difficult for them to work, and your hands will get dirty.
A third angled spatula will sometimes be handy when plastering works, filling the seams between decorative stone, in corners or in figured friezes.
The fourth trapezoidal rubber spatula from Raimondi is better than all previous options: it has a comfortable handle and a large working surface. Essentially this is an improved version of the second option.
Number 5 shows several options for grouting spatulas from the Raimondi catalog. Many tilers prefer to work with such floats. They have replaceable nozzles made of rubber or caoutchouc. Such a tool can easily last even ten years, you can see proof of this in the photo. But when working with it, you need to carefully squeeze out the rubber from the remaining grout, otherwise it will lose its elasticity over time. Therefore, I have now switched to a thick rubber nozzle with a cone. With the sharp edge of a grater it is easy to press the mixture even in corners. The rubber is easy to clean and does not become clogged with the mixture.

The spatula with a rubber attachment lasted about 10 years. Over time, the side became uneven, so I had to sand it with a grinder.

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Grouting devices

It is also worth mentioning other tools for grouting.

Tools for cleaning tile grout

Let's sum it up

Watch the video for a master class on grouting floor tiles:

Basically, all the tools presented are needed for professional tilers. For a one-time job, it will be enough to buy only one spatula-grater with a rubber nozzle.