How to Grout Tiles in 5 Simple Steps

Brief 

While it’s not the most exciting of tasks, learning how to grout tiles is not as challenging as it sounds. In fact, it’s quick and easy to do yourself with these five simple steps. What’s more, it will save you the trouble (and expense) of having to call in a professional tiler.

Insight

Whether you want to spruce up your bathroom or add a stylish, kitchen backsplash, you’ll need to know how to grout tiles the right way. Grout is essential for sealing tiles to the surface and protecting them from moisture and mold.

How to grout tiles

Before you start, it’s always recommended to clean the tile joint, removing any dust, debris or adhesive. When grouting, the aim is to make it as smooth as possible for a neat look.

1. Choose your color and mix your grout

Once you’ve chosen the grout color to suit your space, pour a little water in a bucket before adding in the powdered grout. Start mixing the grout powder with a wooden stick, gradually adding more powder as you stir.

Continue stirring until you have a whipped ice cream consistency. If you want to save yourself some time, you can buy pre-mixed grout, though it’s more expensive than purchasing the powder alone.TIP: Don’t add too much water. The less water you use, the better the grout consistency and strength.

2. Apply the grout to the tiles

Next, apply the grout to your tiles using a grout spreader or rubber trowel. It’s recommended to work the grout into the gaps between the tiles at a 45-degree angle, and make sweeping arcs. Then, work the grout completely into all the joints between the tiles, applying additional grout where necessary. It’s best to apply the grout in small sections to avoid it quickly drying out before you’ve finished grouting properly.

We can recommend the Kingkou Urethane Rubber Grout Float 4″ x 10-1/2″ with Soft Grip Handle ($15, Amazon) to handle your grouting tasks.