Vitrex 10 2280 Grout Finisher, Blue

Product Information

Only apply the sealant once the grout has dried, follow the instructions on the grout product you’re using. Top tip: If you’re grouting porous tile or stone, pre-seal the tile with an appropriate sealant, so the grout will not stain the tile. With pre – mixed grout, simply stir the mixture in the tub until it has a smooth consistency, similar to toothpaste. If sealing old grout, be sure it’s as clean as possible before resealing it. Otherwise, you’ll trap dirt and stains beneath the sealer. So, how can professional tilers ensure that they apply the grout in the best way possible for a fantastic finish?

Wipe excess sealer off the tiles, unless you are using a product meant to seal both grout and tile. Make sure you thoroughly wipe the tiles after grouting so that when the grout dries, the tiles remain clean.Regrouting your tiles is easier than you think! Do-it-yourself with elbow grease and a grout rake, or with one of these off-the-shelf products. 1. Protect the area Let the sealer dry for the time recommended by the manufacturer. This is typically anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour. Use a sealer rather than grout release if you want to enhance the color of stone or leave a “wet” looking finish. You may have to apply another coat of sealer after grouting for maximum protection and to enhance the color of the stone. Required Tools for this Project Removing old grout means regrouting tiles and this is a messy job. So make sure that you have a dustpan and brush handy at all times. First remove any furniture or obstacles so you have a clear floor space to work in. Most grout sealers today are water-based formulas, but there are also solvent-based products. Water-based grout sealers offer more surface-level protection and won’t penetrate as deeply into porous grout, but they also don’t produce as many odors or VOCs as some solvent-based formulas. For deep protection of your grout, however, a solvent-based impregnator-sealer is the best bet, since it’ll fill spaces and protect your grout from deep within.

If using powdered grout, mix up just as much as you’ll be able to use in 20 minutes (it’ll start to harden after that). Apply a blob of your mixed powder or ready-mixed grout to a grout spreader (using a scraper or grout trowel). Use the spreader to work the grout into the lines, going over the tiles with the edge to clean off excess. 4. Clean and leave to dry As mentioned above, it's best to use a squeegee or grout spreader as this will give the best finish. 'Applygroutwith a suitablegroutfloat, working in all directions across the tile jointstoensure that thegroutcompletely fills the joints,' advises tile expert David Talbot. Don’t overlook the following guidelines on how to put grout between tiles! Make sure the old grout is removed (if re-grouting an existing tiled floor) If the grout is new, wait at least 48 hours—72 is better—before applying grout sealer. This gives the fresh grout enough time to dry completely. Otherwise, you could get cloudy or bubbled results.

Apply tape to trim tiles

Professional tilers simply cannot afford to make mistakes when grouting floor tiles. After all, they would not be able to charge customers more money because it has taken them longer to fix their own mistake. When it comes to grouting tools, size is an important factor to keep in mind because if a grouting tool isn't the correct size it may lead to inefficiencies on big jobs or could prevent you from working in tight spaces.

As your grout begins to dry , you may see a powdery film forming on the tiles. Once the grout is completely dry, wipe this off with a soft, clean cloth . Apply enough grout sealer to soak the grout. Work slowly and methodically to ensure you evenly coat all grout surfaces. Once the grout has been applied to your floor or wall tiles, wait about 20 minutes. Then , wipe the tiles with a damp grout sponge to remove any excess .

Use masking tape and plastic sheeting to protect your surfaces from any accidental spillages or drips. Prepare the tiles by closing the spaces between them , and wipe away any loose debris, dust or adhesive , as it may spoil your finish. Grout isn't only for the indoors; if you have an outdoor kitchen, counter, built-in fireplace or fire pit, or a tiled decorative trim, then you need a sealer that can keep the grout looking its best. For those situations, it's hard to go wrong with Serveon Sealants H2Seal All-Purpose Stone Sealer. This water-based, low VOC sealer dries clear, leaving your grout's color unchanged but providing excellent protection against damage from water—even saltwater—stains, and general grunge. Measure up your floor to see how many square metres you're going to have to cover. As a general guideline, a 5kg bag of grout will cover around 10-15m2. However, you may need a little more especially if you have large joints to fill. To be on the safe side add around 10-20% more than you think you need. Do I need to seal floor grout? The best way to start building your grouting arsenal is with a whole grouting kit that provides everything you need to get going. These kits will often come with an assortment of floats, containers, bags, and pads necessary to contain and spread the grout evenly onto the work surface. The Barwalt Ultra Grouting System takes the top spot since it is a reliable and affordable kit for beginners and advanced users alike. According to the company, this system can cut down your work time by as much as 50 percent; that's a lot of time you could be spending doing something else.

Grout—typically either a mixture of sand, water, cement, and color, or an epoxy base mixed with a hardener—is the filler used to seal the spaces between ceramic tiles on floors, counters, walls, or tub surrounds. Grout helps keep tiles in place but is not the same as mortar, the adhesive that actually glues tile to the underlying surface. Adding a sealant to grout will increase its longevity and help it stay looking good for longer. A grout sealant helps protect the grout from general wear and tear, keeps it cleaner for longer and will stop it absorbing water. Keeping water out will help protect against stains and stop mildew and mould forming, too. If you are not just replacing grout, but are laying a new tile surface, heed the advice of Thomas Hawkins, handyman, master electrician, and owner of Electrician Apprentice HQ, who recommends, "For DIY tiling, get a whisk attachment for your corded or cordless drill so you can properly mix your grout and mortar, be sure to seal your tile when your project is complete, and use a mortar that is self-leveling so you're starting off with a completely flat surface before you set the first piece of tile.” Apply a thin coat of sealer to porous stone. Follow the application instructions on the label. Wipe up excess sealer with a cloth to avoid puddles. Then let the sealer dry before you grout. What grout you use for floor tiles will depend on the size of the joint. If you have small joints typically 2mm, 3mm or 5mm joints – the sizes typically found on walls –then you can use wall tile grout.Choose your appropriate application tools. If applying the sealer to a large tiled floor, and using a product safe for use on tile as well as grout, it’s fastest to apply the sealer with a sponge mop. But for most jobs, you’ll do best with a small paint brush, sponge, or roller. Some products come in applicator bottles with a roller top built right in; this is especially handy for thin grout lines. Aerosol products spray on directly. If the sealer leaves any hazy or white splotches on the tile, dampen a clean cloth with a bit of the grout sealer, and wipe the area until the blotch is gone. Now wipe the tile with a clean, dry cloth to remove any lingering residue.