JASON PETTINATO TILE HAS BEEN SELECTED AS A PARTICIPANT FOR UPDATING
THE:
2011 TILE (C54) CALIFORNIA STATE EXAM
Grout Like a Pro!
Grout work is a skill that can enhance your tile job. Let's get started by talking a little about when the tile or stone is ready for grout. Generally the tile needs to set overnight or 24 hours before you can even walk or work on the new installation. Some say if you can't "move" or "wiggle" the tile, it's ready for grout. That's not completely true. For example, the tile may dry faster on hotter days but may not be ready for foot traffic. You don't want to break the bond before it has set. For the most part, the 24 hour rule is the most common and that is what a grout rep will tell you as well. For more detailed instructions on video, check out how to grout.
Grout Color Chart- 48 Colors!
The reason why you should wait the required time has another important reason and that is giving the thinset enough time for it's moisture to escape. Thinset is basically sand and cement that is mixed with clean water. That water needs to dry somehow and it usually evaporates or rises. If you don't allow the thinset to dry completely and you start grouting, the water or moisture will become trapped by the wet grout you just applied. More water...and that's not good. A typical result is a ugly looking whitish film called efflorescence that needs a special process in order to be removed allowing the original grout color to be visible again.
Natural stone has a few special considerations. Marble needs "un-sanded" grout to prevent scratching the soft mirror finish. That means that the joints need to be no larger than 1/8". Slate and saltillo's need to be pre-sealed with a grout release to prevent "burning" the surface which may be impossible to restore. Travertine and granite can be grouted like ceramic or porcelain tile. Keep in mind that all natural stone should be sealed including the grout with a high quality sealer.
