How To Grout Tile: Correct Technique Makes It Easy
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 ก.พ. 2013
- Demonstration of tile grouting technique using correct technique, with tips for best practices. Grouting may seem scary, but it doesn't need to be. Forget the long, involved process they probably told you about at the home center. I've been doing it this way for two decades and the results are perfect.
UPDATE: See my new video about how to grout shower walls here!
• How to Grout Shower Wa...
Recommended tools
Grout sponges:
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Rubber float:
amzn.to/2QRQFfw or amzn.to/35PylIb
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Holy hell I found a DIY video that doesnt start with blaring music and someone's life story, you sir have earned a like.
Lol, me too
Looks like we all liked for the same reason
Lol
LMAO. Right?
😭😭😭😭😭
Finally, a solid instructional video that isn't 30 minutes long. Thank you!
The elegant simplicity of this video, man. With a silent recap at the end and no commercials! Thank you!
Short and Sharp - this is the perfect example of how all instructional Videos should be - very well done - thanks a ton.
Homer Simpson yup I agree
No long intros saying whatsup everyone my name is blahblah I bought these tiles blah blah my mother in law makes good cheese cake blah blah
And the dreaded “ like and subscribe” before the video starts. Soooooo tired of seeing people saying this! If the video is good, you really don’t NEED to say it.
And the dreaded “ like and subscribe” before the video starts. Soooooo tired of seeing people saying this! If the video is good, you really don’t NEED to say it.
came here to comment that. I don't need to watch a 30 minute video to learn this. This was perfect
Mixing Home Depot and Lowe's buckets? Anarchy! Thanks for the help!
now that mix is communism....
You both get a real LOL. Great video! Thanks to all.
dogs and cats living together.
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Short, sharp and to the point. The PERFECT DIY video.
Thank you very much.
Thank god for you beautiful people on TH-cam posting videos that help me become a fully functional adult. Serious lifesavers
Welcome to adulting!
Perfect instructions for grouting, no music, no fuss, no start up video of how great you are just the information one needs to do a job!
Well done and thanks so much keep up the good work!
The idea of leaving the grout to set up for 15 minutes is appropriate for very thin grout lines with unsanded grout. In that case, wiping immediately is likely just to pull the grout right back out. Even so, you can wipe more quickly than 15 minutes if you are skilled and careful about it. Today, most people are installing wider grout lines with sanded grout, and waiting for set up just isn't necessary. Just make sure you pack the joints well before wiping.
Exactly, force all the air out and all the grout in.
That's me. I am wiping the grout pretty much after I install it. I also use two buckets of water; one sponge for the heavy stuff and one to clean up afterwards that leaves pretty much no dry residue. Ironically. now 8 years later very thin grout lines (1/16") are the in thing. I actually like the thin grout lines.
Im about to grout a closet with unsanded. Very small joints as well. Im glad i read this.
Not to take away from this great video.
Does it make a difference with non-sanded grout? 1/8 inch thick?
@lance Sanded grout will tend to stay put because the sand offers some structural support. Unsanded grout may come out a little easier, but the same technique applies. If you have 1/8" grout lines you should be using sanded grout anyway. That's the dividing line between sanded and unsanded, and you'll have better durability long term if you use sanded.
Make a how to video about everything, please!! Short and to the point. Perfect how-to video!👍🏼
Seriously, this video is the best instructional video on TH-cam.
A million thanks!!
I wish there were a way for us viewers to reward the truly great videos. I don't mean the ones with the best production values, or the best 3-step process for whatever, or the ones done by the jack-of-all-trade guys who put on a good show, but are mostly faking their way through, or the ones by the handsome remodeling guys who show you just enough to make you fail and have to call them. I'm talking about guys who have spent decades doing the work in obscurity, who know the job in depth and take time to share the benefit of their many years. Those videos are rare and often require you to suffer through a lot of other videos with higher view counts first. This is one of the videos I'd like to reward. Thank you!
Very kind words--thank you!
Exactly!! Thank you for this gift!
Grouting is the most satisfying part of tiling for me as its the easiest part, quick to do and reveals what it will look like when complete
Good question. When I'm using a 5 gallon pail I usually add a little water to the bottom first, just to avoid the grout powder sticking to the bottom. Then I add the grout and then gradually add water in as I mix with a drill powered auger. I turn the bucket over as I mix with the auger so I don't get dry pockets.
Finally. Short sweet and to the point.👍🇮🇪
Wow! Do it so much faster by doing it slow. You are God's gift to handywomen!
Well I just finished my shower and I have to tell you that I owe you one.It turned out amazing with your method.You save me.Many many thanks from Toronto Canada
I'd like to thank you as this video you've made has been instrumental in grouting my first DIY tile job. No one else has explained to this detail.
Fantastic vid, I am grouting my kitchen floor tomorrow night and now I have the confidence to do it! Thanks
The tip on how the harder you press the lower the grout line was very helpful --- Thanks.
First time grouting my bathroom floor today and decided to check out your video before I did it. Great advice here. Bathroom turned out perfect. Thanks!
That's great to hear! Enjoy your new bath.
Great little video - short, clear and to the point. Just finished my grouting, the sponge technique feels like a bit of a drag whilst you're doing it, but following this guy's method with the sponge gave me perfect results! Thank you.
Oh let me add, this was the first time laying tile. It was time consuming, but I saved myself over 3500 doing this job myself. It's not a hard job, it's intimidating at first, but after you have all you measurements and layout, with the right tools and saws. Easy peezy.
I agree, layed down the tile, now about to do the grout. My mistake was trying to avoid getting a real tile saw. My tiles would fit, except for 1 or 2 areas that would need a corner cut taken out. So I payed the $44 for a cheap tile cutter and it worked perfect. Everything went down easy after the grid was laid out. Seemed scary at first but was surprisingly easy. So get the cutter and do it right, it will look great. No need to hire it done if you can measure and have a t-square!!
As a tile helper I can't believe I didn't enter this trade at 18 year old would have been making good money by now
lol ya easy peezy lol
True and time consuming especially doing it before and a little after a 9 to 5 job
Not a hard job IF you semi know what you’re doing and if you don’t have any existing layers to demo. New construction, EASY PEASY!!!!!
Excellent instructions! Thanks for sharing your expertise!
I don't leave comments hardly ever. but just wanted to say Thanks! I appreciate the video that is straight and simple too the point and not added bs. you gave a perfect description on how the mix should be and and the techniques to use. I am a pretty descent DIYer and usually stick to electrical and carpentry and decided to take on tile and now the grout I had no idea the right way to do that I found your video and it was exactly what I was looking for and I greatly appreciate it.
Me too. This shit is very physical, my back, knees, etc. Then again I am 68 yrs old.
Great video! Very simple and easy, and the last camera shot was top notch, will search your channel first in the future!
Very nice video! Exactly what I needed to see. To the point, no long intro, no music, closeup of work detail, covered it all. Many thanks!!
Thank you for such a quick and straightforward video! So many how-to's ramble on and on but yours was very informative and to the point.
Ahhh... so now I know that I should use sanded grout on my bathroom floor (wide spacing) and unsanded on the shower enclosure (narrow). Great video; to the point and gives people exactly what they need...
Almost 2 million views... WOW!
Thanks for taking the time to post the video. Great video!
Thank you, these little tips do help our jack of all trades master of none triad out more than some will ever realize.
Glad it was helpful!
Excellent tutorial. Straight and to the point. Very easy to understand. Thank you for your time!!
Thanks, short and concise video. I like that.
Thank you, very clear and well presented!
Thanks for the video, short & concise. I've done this before, some years ago, just wanted a refresher. Now I've got to get the right sponge and I'm off to grout some tile...
Agree with previous comments. Short, informative and great demonstration with no filler
Nice neat tidy work. Thanks for the tips.
Thanks so much! I used this and your tiling video and my bathroom turned out great (for a newbie). Keep on keepin' on. :) Oh and thanks for the insight on the grout mixture, it made a big difference knowing what texture I was looking for.
Thx man. Straight and to the point with none of the 10 mins of bs to wait through. You rock bro!
Right to the point. All other DIY video publishers need to learn from you.
Awesome video. Straight and to the point. Too many people with trade skills that do these videos forget that the most basic details to them are not basic to the average person. This leads to skipping over small steps or using language that may be common knowledge to a tradesman but make no sense to the average person. Keep doing it this way.
Great video, right to the point, thank you for not wasting my time with useless info :)
Hey thanks man! I watched this before trying my hand the first time, and just came back for a refresher before doing the next bathroom. Much appreciated.
Thank you!!
For making a simple, basic, plane video.
That SIMPLY explains what I need.
Thank you! Very helpful. Should go well today.
Im about to get started with a grouting job in two days & feel like your sponge technique is the most practical of all the videos I looked at. Ill let U know.
How did it go
I did this 15 years ago and swore I would never do ceramic tile and grout again. It was a super giant pain in the ass the old school way. This video made things soooo easy. I did my floor today & came out perfect!!!!! Great job on the video and thank you so much!
That's good to hear, I'm glad it worked out well.
Perfect explanation. Love the simplicity and demonstration of this video. No fluff no. Character. Pure information 10/10
I don't normally feel compelled to comment on videos but I must say THANK YOU for this! I did about 100 square feet of 13" x 13" tile with 3/16" joints in about 90 minutes last night, using your method. I am using a sanded grout by Custom and there was a little bit of haze that came back (probably from not refreshing the water often enough) but I came back a couple hours later and it wiped up super easily. After hearing horror stories about how tough it can be to get rid of the residue, I was glad I saw your video and did it the easy way instead of the package instructions. I must say, I rather hated the process of tiling, but I actually enjoyed grouting. Thanks!
That's great--I'm glad it worked out for you!
Grouting I believe should be like frosting the cake. We’ll find out this weekend. 😯
That's 169sqft
Thanks! Nice simple video without rambling! Great job!
Badass bro.. I was wasting time wipeing and wipeing the sponge for hrs..your technique is awesome! Time saving and effective! Thanks 8 yrs later
Great video. Just what I needed. I've got the tile done and will go down to start my grout right now. Thanks!
thank you as a I girl who's brother put down the tile and had to leave I find this so helpful and easy for me to complete the job thanks
I'm glad it helped out!
This has to be the easiest part of laying tiles & you make it look real easy! Thanks for the video lesson!
Short an sweet straight to the point, just like a sermon supposed to be. Awesome Job.
I'm in the middle of my first diy tile job. I'm ready to grout now and this video really makes it look easy. Looking forward to getting started on it. One question, for a small bathroom floor project (25 sq. ft.) would having just one bucket of fresh water for sponge rinsing be enough? Thanks for the video!
Thanks so much for the video! I think I got this!
Thanks, your video was the first one I have watched on how to grout. Very good and I don’t need to see any more 😎
Thanks a lot for a short and to the point video. I first found it 2 years ago. Now tiling at a new house, I spent an hour looking for this video:) super useful, thanks again.
Same way i do. But i use second bucket to clean out my sponge. The less dirty water the less haze leftover to polish out later.
Whats the 1st bucket for then?
wei bop clean water
The sand in grout is there for strength in wider grout lines. 1/8" inch lines are probably right around the borderline between sanded or unsanded grout so I would go by the grout manufacturer's recommendation.
Straightforward and informative. Now I'll try the technique.
Thank you!
I have always hated grouting but as I had to grout my new bathroom floor this morning I searched TH-cam for videos and came across this one. Many, many thanks, I used your method and it was so easy. Wish I had know these tips years ago!
Thank you SOOO much for your really easy and quick overview. I just needed something to make me feel a little more confident before diving into it. its been a long time since i've done it, but this time on my own. I literally just now finished grouting the floor in my soon to be gaming room ^_^ im not used to that much of a workout tho so i know my body's going to be hurtin tomorrow!
Yeah, tile work in general can be a workout. Every time I load up my truck with a pallet of tile for a bath or a kitchen I have to take a deep breath, knowing what's ahead for me!
Very nice! Thanks so much! Also may want to make the following notes: When doing a long job like this, invest in a good set of knee pads and stay on the floor as much as possible. Bathroom breaks and the like are common sense, but the up and down off the floor will make you really regret the experience! :-)
So true! I learned this lesson the hard way more than once. After screaming knee caps and barely being able to walk the next day from too much up and down. I picked up some $8 gel knee pads and they are the most comforting thing you've ever felt when flooring!
Erez Talshahar Laying down a piece of cardboard works well too if you don't have knee pads. For any construction job not just tiling
Short, simple, and concise! 👍 Thanks a bunch for this
Thanks for this simple video that isn't 30 min long for no reason.
Hi, I am wondering if the reason why, when using this technique, you're able to avoid the 10ish minutes-wait between grout application and wiping that others recommend is that your sponge is so dry? I like the idea of working in such small sections and then cleaning immediately -- makes so much more sense to me. Is there no risk in wiping down so soon? Thanks for an awesome video!
Dude... thank you thank you thank you so much for making this video. I just grouted two bathrooms (am I'm no spring chicken and have a bad back) and I followed your two wipe method and it was EASY and came out FANTASTIC with very little to almost no haze. Again... thank you. A+
Bourne Accident That's awesome--glad it worked out well!
enduringcharm You know... that's what I love about TH-cam. Guys like yourself, who have knowledge and experience, and relay that with a simple upload and save guys like me a ton of time, aggravation, and headache. Thanks once again.
Just read your comment, and wanted to tell you that if you mix 2 parts water with 1 part white vinegar, and then rewipe your tile it will remove the haze. I do this every time I grout, and tile is my profession. I haven't found a better way to remove haze from any tile, and there is no way to avoid it completely.
Non Smoker Thanks. After the plumber gets done, I will go back and do a final clean up of the floor with the water vinegar mix.
Sweet action. Have fun.
Very well explained and demonstrated! Thank you, I will be doing my first tile job this week!
Thanks for your time putting this up, very helpful!
169 trollers dont like an excellent short clip of how to do things right.
If I don't like something I just ignore it :) this is a great tutorial
When you have very thin grout lines you may need to wait between wiping because otherwise the grout will pull out of the joint when you wipe. For most sanded grout lines today, though, my technique should work fine.
Thanks for all of your videos. I've used a bunch of your videos while remodeling my first house.
Thanks so much. You helped my grout my kitchen tile with this video. Much appreciated. The wiping with a sponge on a diagonal made it so easy.
Hi. Some of the other videos on grouting I've watched insist that after the initial pass with the float only, the grout should be allowed to dry for 15 to 20 mins before using the damp sponge technique. In you video you skip this step. Is there a difference?
You are referring to the old school method that for some reason persists today even when it is not necessary. The chemical formulations of grout have changed, so maybe many decades ago it was necessary to let the grout "set up" but today it is not. As long as you follow my advice closely you will be fine. Don't make the grout mix too wet, make sure you really pack the joints tight with grout, and make sure you wring out the sponge very well before wiping with a turning motion shown in the video. The next morning you may have a slight haze almost like talcum powder on the tile that can be wiped off with a damp paper towel. That's it.
enduringcharm Awesome. Thanks so much! Glad i watched your video before tackling my first grout job.
enduringcharm You say it is old school but even on the grout bags it says to wait 10 -20 minutes. I just finished my kitchen and did wait about 15 min per section. It was alot harder to clean but it still turned out great. My next project is the washrooms so Im not going to wait ...lol..
May have to do with the mixing ratio. Wetter the grout, easier to fill but needs to dry so that it doesn't just wipe right out. Just a little difference in moisture will determine ease of use and best technique.
Eric Jimenez as long as you don't wash out the joints you will be fine. Letting it dry that long means by the end the last tiles you are scrubbing to get the dried off of them
Hello! Great video! I've been disappointed with my grouting results, and this technique looks like it will fix my issues (mainly removing the color - using too much water). I'm about to grout a larger format tile back splash (4x16) with 1/16 spacing using un-sanded grout. Does the same technique apply, and / or do you have any additional tips for such an installation?
JPC437 The same technique will also work on narrow joints. Unsanded grout seems to dry more quickly than sanded, so don't get too far ahead of yourself. Be certain you've really packed the narrow space with grout. With narrow grout lines it may be more important to use the rubber float to pull away the excess. Relying too much on a sponge may lead to excess water and you may pull out too much of the grout. Pull the excess away with the float using a diagonal cutting action, then reach for the damp but not wet sponge.
enduringcharm Got it. The manufacturer (Flextile, Premium Polymer Modified) specification is for 20-30 minutes set time before wiping (post float). Do you recommended wiping right away, or should I wait? To your point, my concern with waiting is that the stuff may dry quick. In one instance, I waited to long and ended up with uneven joints that I couldn't correct no matter how much I buffed them. On the flip side, in another instance, I wiped too aggressively, and the color washed out of the grout. Your technique would have helped me in this later instance. Looking for that middle ground! Any further comments welcome and appreciated!
JPC437 Well, for narrow grout lines in the 1/16" range I typically do small sections (maybe 2x2 feet) at a time. Grout lines of that size are usually found in showers or kitchen backsplashes, so smaller sections at a time work well. I work in the grout aggressively with a hard rubber float, then "cut" the excess away. I never timed myself, but I'm sure it isn't more than a few minutes before I'm wiping with the sponge--a damp, not wet sponge! It's important not to mix the grout too wet either--aim a little more for peanut butter than for mayonnaise. All of this is subject to the project conditions, though. If I'm working in a dry winter heated bath I work a little faster. If the homeowner doesn't have AC and it's a sweltering August, I can slow down. Use your eyes and hands to judge, not your watch.
As for the color washing away, I've never experienced that condition. All I can guess is that either you mixed the grout for too little time (use a drill and auger) or that you just had too much water in the sponge. Make certain you have a sponge designed for grouting and wring the life out of it each dip in the bucket!
enduringcharm Thanks for the guidance, and for your quick rand helpful replies! I'm off to grout!
Excellent DIY video. Great explanation of tools and techniques. To the point explanation, and a demonstration on how to do the job. This left me informed and without any questions. Thanks.
This is just about the perfect instructional video. You're a real pro for giving us that other angle!
wear latex gloves as well. grout dries the crap out of your hands ;)
It can at that! My hands take a beating every day so I don't even notice it, but DIYers may be more sensitive.
I wore gloves doing my bathroom walls and they just kept tearing repeatedly.
The hero we need, sir.
A little abrasive on the naked hands. Took just a day to recover not using gloves.
My hands have no crap in them so I think I'll be fine. You have bad hygiene
HAHA! Well, sometimes that is the better idea!
Adding my thanks! The clean up sponge with flick at the end REALLY makes for a cleaner job
Love the simplicity here. Lots of other vids are too long to get same point across.
Wish I'd watched this before I started..
Goddamn it.
I started grouting using a tube of grout and a caulking gun, but everything about that was slow and tedious and messy. After the first tube, I realized that could NOT be how the professionals did it - it was just too much a PITA. Wish I'd watched this first.
The premixed "grout" in a plastic jar or tube really isn't grout. It's more of a watered down caulk, I guess, and pros don't use it at all.
enduringcharm I switched to the type of grout you're using in the video, but the grout in the bucket keeps turning to Rick before I can finish - wasting about half of it. How often should I be adding water and re-mixing?
If you are using a powdered grout (like Tec or Polygrout brands) and thoroughly mixing it with water to a peanut butter to mayonnaise consistency it should last long enough in the bucket to do a floor or a shower. Are you mixing it too dry? Are you using plain water with no additives? Are you using a powered mixer? I usually mix up half a 25 pound bag at first and mix a little more if I need it. If the mix stiffens up you can add a little more water to "freshen" it up. It typically takes me around an hour to complete grouting a 60x30 shower and another hour or less to grout the floor. Are you taking excessively long with your grouting?
It's kinda a playdoh-y consistency and I'm working on a room that's 20'x14'. And I'm not exactly speedy Gonzalez (probably because I was mixing too dry - I followed the directions on the bag). I'll try mayonnaise consistency tomorrow (third time's the charm?).
Also does the rubbery/silicone grout (the type you use IN a shower, as opposed to floor grout) have a special name?
I'm assuming you are using a sanded grout? Try mixing a little bit wetter and recognize that five minutes after you stop mixing the grout will "set up" and become a little stiffer. If you mix ever so slightly on the wet side then it should be perfect by the time you get the bucket to the tile an start grouting. Make a habit of giving the grout a little stir in the bucket each time you reach in with the float. Sometimes the grout appears to be hardening but really it's just settling in the bucket and keeping it stirred up will prevent that. For caulk, you can get color matched silicone caulk (which is not paintable, by the way) or you can get a sanded silicone caulk to match the grout. The sanded grout has some texture but it doesn't generally last as long as plain silicone caulk.
Thanks budd. I am doing this tomorrow and i had no idea. However watching you doing the grouting is made simple and a great help.
Thanks
To the point, no rambling, excellent instruction
I recommend knee pads.
Absolutely!
San Franciscan slippers
Love it.....short and sweet. Thank you!!!
Beautifully explained for an experience person as well as an inexperience one
. Thank you!!
Been using that same sponge in my kayak : )
Saved me once when an eddie in the current started flooding me! Yes, it moves a lot of water!
Thanks for this; quick, simple, and well explained.
No BS like so many others.
Thank you! This has to be one of the best examples out there of the power of video.
Love it. Articulate. Concise. Correct techniques. I appreciated the second angle at the end, too. Great channel name as well.
Thank you kindly for your useful advice - appreciated! I always wondered what to do with the sponge!
I watched you video on tiling a shower yesterday. I have never done it before and it was a huge help. Tomorrow this video will come in handy with the grout. Cheers
Ty just did some tile and your video is straight to the point 👍🏼
Thanks for the video. The most imp tip i liked was how to use the sponge after setting up grout. It really gives a finishing touch.
Great short video and very informative. Good job mate!