This will not only look better, but ensure that it is easier to clean grout in future. Use this as an opportunity to neaten the grout you can use your finger to run along the grout lines to create a smooth finish. Any excess grout will turn to dust and simply come off the tiles and into the cloth so it is important to use plenty of clean cloths.' 'Once the grout begins to ‘bloom’ on the surface, wipe the face of the tiles with a circular motion using a clean dry cloth (check manufacturer’s instructions on the correct time to buff the tiles). 'Keep cleaning the sponge in clean water at regular time intervals – the cleaner the sponge, the more tile surface grout is removed,' adds David Talbot. 'When wiping the excess grout from your tiles, ensure your sponge is not soaking wet, otherwise you will start to wipe the grout out of the joints.' If you have smooth tiles the excess will wipe off easily but if you have opted for a gritty, textured tile (such as a brick effect) remove the excess grout as soon as you can to avoid the grout setting in to the texture. 'If you are using a textured tile, remove the excess grout as quickly as possible. The grout should wipe off quite easily,' says Leigh Price. 'About an hour after application, when the grout has started to stiffen, remove any excess grout left on the tiles with a damp sponge by wiping off, cleaning the sponge and wiping off again. If not add additional grout and after a few minutes wipe over the re-filled area with a clean damp sponge again.' 4. 'Check to make sure that all grout lines are completely filled with grouting material. 'Apply grout with a suitable grout float, working in all directions across the tile joints to ensure that the grout completely fills the joints,' adds David Talbot. Apply diagonally across the tiles (rather than vertically), beginning at the top of the wall and working your way to the bottom, ensuring not to leave any gaps or air bubbles,' says Leigh Price. 'Next, apply the grout with a grout float, which acts like a trowel, to spread the grout into all the joints. Correctly mix enough grout to be used within the grout open time (check correct mixing and open time on the grout packaging),' says David Talbot. 'Ensure you have enough grout from a single batch for the whole area. If you get it wrong, the grout will be too watery, the color won’t be right and it will not set properly,' says Leigh Price. 'Follow the instructions exactly when mixing your grout with water. Grout comes both ready-mixed and in a powdered format which you will need to mix with water in a small bucket, according to the instructions on the bag. Ready-mixed grout can be useful for covering small areas of tiling, but powdered grout is more commonly used to cover larger areas. If discoloration occurs, use a protective sealer. Harriet also advises that before grouting, check for potential staining risks by applying grout to an offcut. 'If tiles are porous faced, crackle glaze, metallic glaze or similar, check to see if they need to be sealed before grouting.' 'Make sure the tile joint is clear of any dust, adhesive, spacer pegs, moisture or other debris before commencing grouting,' says David Talbot, head of specification at Craven Dunnill Jackfield. With slow-setting adhesive, you tend to have to wait 24 hours before you can grout your tiles whereas fast-setting usually takes up to eight hours to set - but check the instructions carefully for the adhesive you have used,' says Leigh Price, co-director of Real Stone, Tile & Bathroom. 'You can begin grouting your tiles once your adhesive has set. A grouting sponge – we like this one from Amazon.A grouting float – this one from Amazon is highly rated.Suitable grout for your tiles and location (ask your tile supplier).
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