Laying the tiles is only part of the job, so don’t forget to purchase grout from your local tile store.

Let the tile adhesive set for at least 2 days. You can purchase a faster setting adhesive, as mentioned in our previous article, but it is more difficult to work with because it dries more rapidly. Once the adhesive is completely dry, it’s time to start the grouting process.

First, clean out the excess adhesive between the tiles (if there is excess left as it should have been cleaned previously). Mix the grout per the instructions on the pack, making sure you achieve the right consistency.

Press the grout evenly into the joints with your grout squeegee and smooth out the grout between the tiles.

Once the grout is dry, wipe off the excess using Grout & Adhesive Remover and a clean sponge or cloth. Use a grout protector to protect your grout from the penetration of oil, grease, dirt and water-borne stains. It facilitates maintenance without altering the grout colour. When sealing wet areas, use a silicone sealant, there are a range of colours available. Apply this in the corners and where water may accumulate. Make sure you have good ventilation when applying.

Most tiles do not need to be sealed, but ask your tile supplier, as some tiles are manufactured with a sealant ‘built-in’. All natural stone must be sealed; the type of sealant depends on a few factors which can be discussed with your consultant when selecting your tiles.

If you have grout left over and the urge to grout another area, it is easy to re-grout already grouted tiles. Below you will find the procedure to re-grout a surface.

A grout saw or electric grout remover can be used. Scrape out the grout between the tiles. Be careful not to chip or crack the tiles. Once all the grout is removed, wash all the grit out, dry with a cloth and then grout joints as discussed above. All buildings move, so to reduce the likelihood of grout cracking, add silicone to all corners and edges.

In our next article, we will look at specialised tiling techniques.

Should you not have the inclination, patience or experience to tile yourself, do not despair, we are proud to announce that Valuetec has added Tiling, painting, plastering and light renovation work to our service offering in Pretoria. If you require assistance with a renovation project, give us a call or email us for more information and let’s add value to your home the professional, correct and affordable way.