Tile grout in the bathroom

Grouting between tiles is a must tiled bathroom trim. To fill the inter-tile space, a fugue is used - a special grout for tiles. It serves as the finishing touch in the decoration of walls and floors in the bathroom and prevents moisture and dirt from entering the seams, the development of mold under the finish and peeling of the tiles. Moisture-resistant fugue can have an epoxy or cement base, the specifics of work, the appearance and quality of the joints depend on its composition. We will figure out how to choose the right grout, and which one is best suited for independent use.

Cement grout

Cement-based grout is the most common among beginners. Its popularity is explained not only by its low cost, but also by the ease of preparation and application. The main component of such a fugue is finely ground cement. Additionally, it may contain plasticizers, colorants, mineral additives and fungicides.

For joints with a width exceeding 5 mm, it is necessary to choose a grout containing sand. The size of the sand fraction depends on the width of the seams - the wider they are, the sand should be larger.

Grout is sold as a dry mixture or in a diluted form. The finished fugue is more convenient to use, however, after opening the container quickly hardens. If you do not have time to use up the material at a time, the remainder will have to be thrown away. From the point of view of profitability, it is better to choose a dry puffer, which can be prepared by mixing the powder with a latex-based plasticizer. The result is a plastic, easy-to-use material with a consistency resembling putty.

Attention! Despite the instructions from the manufacturer, do not dilute the dry grout mixture with water, since the solution in this case will not be flexible enough. Experienced craftsmen recommend using a transparent latex plasticizer or concentrated latex. It increases the mechanical strength of the material, color stability and has antibacterial properties.

Advantages of cement grout:

• ease of application;
• high strength;
• universality;
• affordable cost;
• can be tinted in any color;
• suitable for beginners in tiling.

Disadvantages:

• without additional protection it gets dirty quickly;
• collapses under the influence of aggressive chemicals.

Additional seam protection

Cement grout for tiles in the bathroom needs extra protection. As a protective agent, you can choose a water-repellent impregnation or a moisture-proof polymer varnish.

On the grout treated with impregnation, a thin protective layer forms, which is quite easily destroyed and requires updating about once every six months. Joint varnish forms a more durable layer that protects the grout from moisture, cracking and mold. Water falling on a seam treated with varnish does not absorb, but flows down in drops. Glossy varnish makes the color of the fugue more saturated and vibrant, matte - fixes the color without changing it.

Tip: it is not recommended to use polyurethane varnish to protect the joints in the bathroom, since it radically changes the color of the grout.

Epoxy grout

Epoxy based fugue is an excellent material for filling joints, resistant to chemicals and various contaminants and does not require additional protection. In addition to epoxy resin, the two-component mixture contains hardener and coloring agents. In the package, these components are separately from each other to prepare a puffer, it is enough to mix them. The result should be an elastic, viscous and dense mass with which it is quite difficult to work.

Advantages of epoxy fugue:

• water resistance;
• high strength;
• resistance to aggressive acids and alkalis;
• resistance to pollution;
• the ability to add sparkles and other decorative components;
• wide color palette;
• preservation of color and decorative properties throughout the entire service life;
• lack of need for additional measures of protection of seams.

Disadvantages:

• viscous consistency, greatly complicating the work with the material;
• the need to use special solvents for cleaning tiles from grout;
• high price.

Grout selection

Epoxy fugue is an excellent material preferred by professional tilers. If you are going to do the work yourself, soberly assess your capabilities. Epoxy grout is capricious, you need to work with it quickly and accurately. If you do not remove the remains of the fugue from the tile during the day, this will only be possible with the help of special acids. After a week, this can only be done mechanically with a high risk of tile damage.

Cement fugue is more versatile, grouting tile seams with its help is possible even for a novice master. If you do not neglect additional protective measures, then it will also retain an attractive appearance for a long time.

What grout to choose?

• If you do not have strict financial restrictions, and the main thing for you is a high-quality result for many years, choose an epoxy fugue and entrust the process to a professional.

• If you are not financially constrained, like to experiment and improve your home with your own hands - buy an epoxy grout and follow the instructions.
• In the event that you do not want to take risks, and are not confident in your abilities, you better choose a cement puffer.

• Cement grout for tiles is suitable for those who want to save. Fugue, a plasticizer and a protective agent together will cost less than an epoxy trowel.
• For marble and glazed tiles it is better to use an epoxy fugue.

Color variety

Cement fugue can be sold in painted form or tinted independently in the selected shade. Epoxy fugue can not be painted at home, but it is presented in a wide range of colors, including gold, silver, bronze and metallic.

Color Tips:

• contrast grout emphasizes the laying geometry, so it can only be used with perfectly evenly laid tiles;

• light fugue hides bumps and inaccuracies;
• for small bath you can choose a light tile with grout of the same color - the room will seem more spacious;

• keep in mind that light grouting on the floor can become dirty quickly;
• remember that after drying the fugue is a little lighter;
• mosaic tiles or multi-colored tiles are best combined with a transparent glass-based fugue.

Grouting technology

For work you will need:

• a knife for cleaning seams;
• brush to remove glue residue;
• rubber spatula for grouting joints;
• container for solution and water;
• mixing spatula;
• a sponge and a cloth for cleaning tiles from a solution;
• flashing;
• rubber gloves and a respirator.

Grouting is done in the following sequence:

• Using a special knife and brush, the remains of tile glue are carefully cleaned from the seams. Glue particles must be completely removed so as not to impede the adhesion of the fugue to the ends of the tile.

• It is possible to prepare a solution from a dry cement mixture by adding powder to water or a plasticizer; when using an epoxy fugue, its components are mixed. The consistency of the grout should resemble a toothpaste.

• Moisten the seams with water or an antiseptic primer.
• Using a rubber spatula, fill the space between the tiles with the fugue. Apply the composition with short movements across the seam, trying to press it as deep as possible. The sharp part of the spatula mass is pressed and distributed along the seam.

• Manipulations are repeated until the gap between the tiles is completely filled, then with the help of the spatula moving along the seam, the final alignment is carried out and excess grout is collected. It is possible to correct a seam relief with the help of a finger, on which a rubber glove is put on.

• At one time, seams are rubbed on an area of ​​one or two square meters. After drying the trowel mass, its traces are removed from the surface of the tile with a damp sponge or cloth, then the tile is wiped with a dry cloth.

If the tile has a relief surface, grouting of joints can be done using a special syringe consisting of a reservoir and a piston mechanism. The grout mass is squeezed out through the nozzle of the syringe directly into the space between the tiles, keeping their surface clean. Instead of a syringe, you can use a bag with a nozzle, like a pastry shop, or a durable plastic bag with a cut corner.