How to Grout Tile

Replacing your tiles can be an efficient way to redo your flooring. It can be done in your bathroom or kitchen and requires little maintenance. Tile flooring comes in many different colors and textures and if it is installed properly will not ever need replaced. Replacing your flooring is usually about a two-day project and will cost between $300 and $600.

You can choose to cover your old cheap flooring if you had vinyl or another type of flooring. As long as the previous flooring is attached well to the actual floor, you should be set. This will save you time from tearing up the floor. You may still have to install backer board over your old vinyl flooring to make it durable enough to install your tiling overtop. 

You should also consider what type of tile and grout to purchase to install. Some tile needs to be coated with grout release before you begin grouting. Grouting is the material that fills the space between the tiles. There are also different types of grout. The cement-based grout is best for do-it-yourself projects because it is easier to work with and easier to clean up afterward.

When you place the tiles on the floor, you will be gluing them down and placing spacers between them for equal placement. While putting the tiles down, you need to press down hard and wiggle the tile around some. Make sure that you have laid the tiles down flat and evenly.

Once you have placed the tiles to the floor and the adhesive has dried, you can begin applying the grout. Remove the spacers before you start applying the grout to the crevices. You can take these out by using a pair of needle-nose pliers and picking them out. You might have to mix the grout yourself. Grout usually comes in a bag and will have instructions on how much water to mix. You can pour it into a buck and stir it together until it resembles grout.

Spread the grout all over the tiles starting away from your body and working toward your body. You want to force the grout into the space between the tiles and work on a small area at a time. When the grout is still able to be molded, try squishing it into the joints as much as you can. Next, try to scrape off all the excess grout. You can use a tool like in the picture at the top of the page. It is much easier to move around the grout with this tool. You can squeegee it around the tile and move it down between the tiles with this tool. You can also scrape off the excess and use it on the next tile.

Next, use a wet sponge to clean the surface of the tile. You want to clean all the excess grout off the top of the tile before it completely dries permanently. The sponge will clean the top of the tile without removing it from between the tiles. You want to use circular motions and keep rinsing out your sponge so it stays clean while you are wiping off your tiles. You want to thoroughly clean your tiles. If it is stuck on the tile really hard, you can use an abrasive pad to scrub at the tile to get the grout off. You may have to work at it for a little bit to get it all off the tiles. Then let the tiles sit for as long as the grout recommends. Sometimes you may need to wait overnight for this.

After this, you may need to seal the grout. Sealing is important especially in a bathroom where water will likely get on the floor. It will prevent the grout from getting stained but also from developing the growth of mold and mildew. This will take two applications and you'll need to wipe off any of the sealing product that gets on the surface of the tile.

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