At UK Pro Tiling Training, we train our students to become efficient tilers and credible in the trade. Tilers who have trained with us will know exactly how to grout a floor. Don’t just use the last tub of grout you opened! For the amount a customer is investing in the entire floor, an extra pot of grout won’t make a huge difference. Formulated for both interior and exterior use, you can also use this sealer to protect outdoor tiled surfaces on patios or around swimming pools. When most of the grout has been removed, finish off with a large damp sponge (Image credit: Getty Images) What kind of grout do you need for floor tiles? 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.

Eddie McFarlane, Strategic Advisor for Provider Experience at HomeX, adds, "You’ll want to decide on a layout before you get started. We recommend testing the layout in your space beforehand to make sure it’s exactly what you want by first laying the tile pieces in place without mortar or grout. Make sure you have the right tools on hand: a tile cutter, a rubber mallet, tile spacers, a level, a tile trowel, and mortar. Above all, take the extra little time to clean your tools after use. A dry piece of mortar coming loose and getting on your fresh floor can be very annoying.” Lovely white grout never takes long to become mouldy and dirty-looking, does it? Spend a weekend replacing yours – and while you’re at it, why not try something different from white this time, with a colour or even glitter grout? Tube grout sealers allow for precise control over the sealant as you work without need of a brush or rag. But since tubes usually don't contain a whole lot of product, they are best used for small projects or for touching up damaged spots. If you have grout, it's smart to keep a tube of sealant, like the Miracle Sealants Grout Sealer, on hand for spot repairs when needed. This helps to keep the grout intact over time. 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?

Video: Removing Tile Grout

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.” If a high traffic area or area that will get damp regularly use a grout that is water resistant, waterproof or specially made for bathrooms. Top tip: If you’re working with a large surface area, opt for a professional float when it comes to choosing your grout tools . Work in 5 to 10 square-foot sections and avoid running the grout float in the same direction as the tile joints – as this will create uneven coverage. 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. While the specifics can vary, as a general rule, grout sealer is dry enough to walk on within two or three hours of application. However, it can take up to 48 hours for the sealer to cure completely, so wait a couple of days before allowing heavy traffic on your newly sealed tile floor, taking a shower or bath in a freshly sealed tub, or putting your just-sealed countertops to heavy use.

A professional colour match finish will make 100% positive difference though! Will you opt for sanded or unsanded grout? Control is key for any type of DIY project, which is why it's necessary to consider the type of handle and whether it has any padding to improve user comfort or a textured grip for enhanced control. 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. It is recommended to mix your own grout when tiling floors as ready-made grout tends to have longer drying times than grout you mix yourself. Ready-made grout relies far more on having decent access to air. Work in a small area at a timeGrout floats can have enclosed, rounded handles in the center of the float or they may have long, open handles that attach to the center or one side of the grout float and extend out from this point. Both styles are suitable options, though grout floats with open handles are easier to use in tight spaces, while enclosed handles offer improved control.

The sealer is designed to repel oil and water, which can lead to extensive damage in the grout over time. In places where moisture is common, such as the kitchen or bathroom, this type of protection can reduce the amount of maintenance your grout and tiles will need after extensive use. The sealer helps repel food, grease, and mildew, as well as mold to prevent ugly stains and damage from developing. Like most grout sealers, this one is available in several container sizes, including spray bottles. Whilst it sounds extremely simple, grouting floor tiles isn’t always easy. What’s more, when the job’s not done right, the floor doesn’t look right! You can choose the best looking tiles in the shop but if you make a mess of the grout, they won’t look good. 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. Pour or ladle a puddle of grout onto the tiled surface. It’s easiest to work across the surface from left to right. If grouting a tiled floor, start at the furthest corner of the room and work toward the doorway.Keep all your equipment close to the area that you are working on for ease. That way, you’re far less likely to tread grout or grout powder on the newly laid tiles. Work at a 45 to 90 degree angle with the grout float Have the necessary tools for this DIY project lined up before you start—you’ll save time and frustration. 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. Now it’s time to start grouting your tiles. Place a small amount of grout onto the wall or floor tiles with a squeegee or a grout float , at a 45 ° angle . Spread the grout firmly into the joints, using upward and diagonal strokes in an S-like motion , until you have filled in the gaps between the tiles. In our opinion, it is imperative that professional tilers are 100% confident when grouting tiles before agreeing to lay a customer’s floor.