UltraTile offer a comprehensive range of grout products for today’s vast variety of wall and floor applications.
Always select the correct grout for the application depending on the requirements.
The following guide is aimed at identifying the critical points for each stage of grouting to ensure optimum performance of the product.
There are 3 stages that need to be carried out correctly when using grouts. These are:
Prior to carrying out any grouting remove all spacers and brush/blow away any loose tile adhesive from the joints. We do not recommend tiling over spacers as this can cause colour variation and will result in only a thin application of grout. Wipe down the tile edges to ensure a clean surface is available for the grout to bond to. Do not allow puddles of water to accumulate in the joint as this will greatly affect the grout performance.
The critical points to remember are to use clean cold water with the correct ratio of powder (as stated on the product’s packaging) and to always use a clean bucket for mixing. When mixing:
The critical points here are to work in small areas concentrating on completely filling the joints to ensure no voids in the grout body, and it is essential that the grout is left to ‘firm’ up before cleaning down. Before applying any grout ensure the tiles are fully secure and do not shift or move under pressure. Do not simply rely on the stated drying times for the adhesive used as this can vary depending upon site conditions. When applying:
Please note that there are many different terms used to describe the stage when grouts are ready for wet cleaning. All of them are basically referring to the point when the grout is not readily disturbed and will no longer be ‘dragged’ out of the joint when pulling a damp sponge across, but has not gone to the stage of cure where it is set hard. The time for a grout to firm up will depend on many factors. The material on the tile face is in a thin film and will firm/dry quite quickly. The time for material in the joints to firm up will depend on joint width and depth and the absorbency of the substrate and tile edge. For example, fixed biscuit ceramic tiles with thin joints, on a plastered wall will result in relatively quick firming of the grout as all surfaces can absorb the moisture from the grout. Fully vitrified tiles with wide joint widths on a very dense concrete floor will take considerably longer, as the moisture from the grout needs to evaporate from the exposed surface only.
The critical factors to remember here are ensuring that the grout has reached the correct degree of cure (as per the note above) and that minimal water is used. Excess water will absorb into the grout and often result in the various components in the grout being drawn to the surface causing colour differences.
For further information, please call 01827 254402.
Head Office
Danny Morson Way
Birch Coppice Business Park
Dordon, Tamworth B78 1SE
UK Tel: +44 (0) 1827 254 400