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 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. 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 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. 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.

Clean the tiles to make sure there is no leftover grout on them. This will help achieve a shiny and professional finish at the end of the project. Apply enough grout sealer to soak the grout. Work slowly and methodically to ensure you evenly coat all grout surfaces. Start by mixing up your grout. Most come as a powder you mix with water; follow the manufacturer’s directions exactly—don’t add more or less water than called for. When spreading the grout into the joins and removing any excess grout from the tiles, make sure you’re holding the grout float at somewhere between 45 to 90 degrees.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.” In our opinion, it is imperative that professional tilers are 100% confident when grouting tiles before agreeing to lay a customer’s floor. It is best to choose a grout colour that suits the tiles for the project so that the grout blends into the floor pattern.

This article is edited and updated by Michelle Ullman, the tool expert for The Spruce. She has extensive experience not only in writing about all things related to the home, but also in carrying out various DIY projects, including landscaping, painting, flooring, wallpapering, furniture makeovers, and simple repairs. 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 . 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. Grout 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. 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.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. Note: the time intervals for applyinggrout, wiping off excessgroutand polishing/buffing tiles during thegroutingprocess can vary dramatically dependent upon the temperature, humidity, type of tile beinggrouted, type ofgroutbeing used, width of tile joint and other factors so it is importanttostart on a small inconspicuous areatoassess the likely curing times for each process.' Can you put tile grout over old grout? 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? 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.

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?So, how can professional tilers ensure that they apply the grout in the best way possible for a fantastic finish? 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.