How to Avoid Tile Grout

Many kitchens and bathrooms are speckled with ceramic tiles of some form or another. The only sure fire way of properly installing these tiles is with an adhesive known as grout or grouting the tiles. There are many disasters that can occur while grouting that can leave you with a very messy (and sticky) situation. Learn how to avoid excess grouting.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Vinegar
• Baking Soda
• Commercial Household Cleaner
• Grout
• Grout Gun
• Tiles
• Tile or Ceramic Saw
• Measuring Tape
• Wash Cloth
• Hot Water
• Permanent Marker
• Sponge
• Tooth Brush

Buying Tile

1. Measure the length and width of the area you are tiling with a measuring tape.

2. Multiply the width and height to learn your square footage.

3. Look on the packages of tile. The package will tell you total square footage. Compare to what you need and buy one package over what you need.

Avoid Excess Grout

4. Lay your tiles down on the floor before applying grout to test for fitness.

5. Place tiles into the corners and nooks.

6. Measure across the top of the tile and draw a line with your permanent marker.

7. Cut just below the line with your ceramic cutter.

8. Remove the tile from the floor after all tiles are cut and fitted.

9. Load your grouting gun with grout.

10. Draw a uniform line around the circumference of the tile, 1/4 inch within the tile and place a dot of grout in the center of the tile that is about 1/2 inch in diameter with your grouting gun.

11. Place the first tile.

12. Repeat Step 7 by laying the tiles vertically. Wipe between each tile with damp cloth if grout appears between the seams when placed snugly together. Continue until all tiles are down for your uniform square then add the pieces that needed to trimmed to fit in the gaps and nooks.

Cleaning Grout

13. Combine vinegar to baking soda.

14. Using a tooth brush dip it in the solution and scrub the soiled or browned area in a firm, circular motion.

15. Use any number of commercially bought cleaners, using a sponge dipped in them at full concentrate and use a firm, circular motion if baking soda and vinegar do not work.

Tips & Warnings

• Knowing your square footage will allow you to choose just the right amount of tile for the job.
• Always have your supplies within reach.
• Avoid measuring around corners or nooks that are tiny or partial spots, get the square area first.
• Tiles have grooves along the edging. Use these as your guide lines. The second and third line is your 1/4 inch marking.
• Work from the wall toward the center.
• Use the tile you just put down as a guide for the next tile.
• Your grouting will be dry in approximately two hours but it is best to wait up to six prior to attempting to clean any residue that may have appeared.
• Moving too slowly can cause your job to be messy because the grout can dry fairly rapidly.
• Keep note of patterns (if any) on your tiles in order to keep them uniform.