Grouting Tile
The Grout Logic Process
For some installers, grouting tile is one of the best parts of a project. For starters, it’s the last step in the installation process, so you know you’re almost done. Secondly, filling the joints with grout can add a second dimension to the flooring, pulling the look together. But, more than anything, grout is a vital structural element that secures the tiles together. Simply put, it can make the difference between a tile installation project that will last for decades and one that will show signs of trouble after the very first weeks.
But, if you’ve ever struggled with getting the right thickness of the grouting mix or had grout turn rock hard before you managed to get it off the tile, then you know that this last step is also one of the most challenging. Make one mistake, and you’ll ruin all of your hard work to this point.
This comprehensive guide about grouting tile will help you avoid any problems and get the best results with minimum efforts. We’ll talk about how to mix grout, what consistency should grout be, and how to apply it and remove it so that you get the best results every time.
The Purpose of Laying Joints
Besides the aesthetic functions, laying joints with grout also plays a crucial role in absorbing tensile and stress. From a mechanical point of view, grouting tile can prevent the deformation or instability of the structural supports, keep the cement from retracting, and protect the tiles from humidity or temperature changes.
All the movement and impact that tiles withstand causes stress to accumulate at the edges of the slabs. The grout serves as the first level of protection, reducing the tension by spreading it between tiles.
Grouting Tile – The Purpose of Laying Joints
As mentioned already, another reason for laying joints is to protect tiles from humidity or temperature changes. In cold geographic areas, vapor diffusion can lead to condensation. Even in warm areas, in the case of bathroom tiles, due to the constant exposure to moisture and temperature changes, grout can absorb a significant amount of water if it’s not applied properly.
When grout constantly exposes to water and warm temperatures, it creates a breeding ground for bacteria. That can affect the bonding between the tile and mortar, as well as the structure of the grout. As water moves freely through the grout to the base of the tile, it can cause cracking in the grout, advancing the structural decline of the entire assembly.
Another crucial function of the grout is to hide the small dimensional variations of the tiles.
No one doubts the fact that grouting tile plays a major role in the installation process. The question is, how to grout tile so that you get the best results every time?
It all starts with working with the right type of grout for the task at hand.