Grout for clinker tiles: the finer points of selection and use

Some time after the laying of the clinker tile, additional processing of the seams and seams is required. To do this, use a special building composition. Proper grouting will significantly improve the appearance of the surface, as well as protect the seams from damage and ingress of moisture. After reading this article, you will learn about the intricacies of choosing and using trowel mixtures.

External processing of seams and joints of tiles with a special compound is carried out for the following reasons:

• Grouting for clinker tiles will help to hide the existing defects in the laying of tiled plates or steps from clinker. Processing the seams in such a composition will give them a neat, aesthetic appearance.
• Using grouting significantly reduces the likelihood of partial tile splitting. This is a good protection against the deformation of tiled plates.
• Significantly increases the resistance of the coated surface to the effects of various external factors: moisture, sunlight, temperature changes.
• Processing tile joints and seams provides decorative.

Materials for grouting clinker tile materials are of two types. They differ in the properties of the components on the basis of which the grout is made.

Dyes and plasticizers are added to this mixture. Cement trowel mixture is most popular, it is suitable for external and internal work. The composition reliably adjoins to the surface of the seam, while its surplus is easily removed from the surface of the tile itself.

On sale there are grout of different colors: white, reddish, black, brown, gray, yellowish, beige.

A variety of tones makes it possible to use the trowel compound as a decorative touch in the lining of the facade or other surfaces. For the treatment of wide joints (more than 5 mm) it is better to use a cement mixture with the addition of sand.This mixture is much better distributed and fills the wide inter-tile joints well.

Grout, which belong to this type, more expensive than cement, they consist of epoxy base and hardener. Before starting work, both components must be diluted in the ratio indicated in the instructions. Then it is necessary to mix the whole mass thoroughly. The quality of the batch and compliance with the proportions will largely depend on the result of the work.

The trowel mixture, which belongs to this species, is particularly resistant to external influences and can be used in complicated conditions. Often it is chosen for the treatment of tile joints in swimming pools, bathrooms and showers.

Putting such a grout on the seams, you will have to be extremely careful, and if the material gets on the surface of the clinker tile, you should immediately remove it. For safety net you can rub the surface of the tiles with wax.

Experts recommend when choosing a grout to consider one rule. The trowel should be made by the same manufacturer as the glue used for the clinker tiles.

Before starting work, you need to prepare your choice of trowel mixture. To do this, remember a few rules for working with similar compositions:

• Be sure to use protective equipment: tight rubber gloves, goggles and a respirator. Goggles and a respirator are needed to protect against powder dust, which is inevitably formed when dry matter is transferred to a container for mixing. Gloves will protect your hands from getting on the skin of the finished mixture, which is removed painfully and with difficulty.
• In the container for mixing, you must first pour water (the amount indicated in the instructions). Then you can add dry powder.
• Pay particular attention to mixing. The mass should be homogeneous in consistency and color, it should not be lumps or clots of the dye. After the first stage of mixing, leave the solution for 7-10 minutes, then mix it again.
• Remember that the grout mix is ​​prepared for about half an hour of work. Try to calculate the right amount of grout, as it quickly loses its properties.

After preparing the trowel should start work on the processing of tile joints as soon as possible:

• For applying the trowel is very convenient to use a syringe-gun. The grout is collected in a syringe and evenly applied to the surface of the interstitial joints. A rubber spatula will also work, but it is less convenient. When used, it is more likely to stain the surface of the tile.
• If the trowel gets onto the tile, remove it immediately. Keep a tight sponge or several clean, dense fabrics at hand.
• After applying the grout to the seams need to distribute the applied composition. For this is used the jointing of the bricklayer The size of this tool is matched to the size of the seams. Ensure that no grooves form in the treated seams.
• After applying the material, it is necessary to avoid mechanical impacts on the areas treated with grouting (until the composition is completely dry). The manufacturer indicates in the instructions what time it will take to freeze a particular trowel compound.

The following useful recommendations should be considered:

• If the trowel mixture that got on the tile could not be removed on time (as a result of which it froze), try to buy special alkaline or acid based solvents in the hardware store. Many grouting materials can be dissolved using such tools.
• Experienced master finishers recommend at the beginning of work, first of all, apply grout to the T-shaped joints. After their processing, it will be possible to fill in the remaining interplate spaces.

• When buying a mixture for grout, be sure to pay attention to its properties: moisture resistance, resistance to temperature changes, frost resistance, the hardening time of the finished composition, the thickness of the seams for which this grout is designed.
• Before applying the grout it is recommended to clean the joints from the glue that was used to fix the clinker tiles or steps. This can be done with a construction scraper or a file.

For information on how to make a clinker tile, see the video below.