Dear readers of the site! Our website already contains a sufficient amount of materials related to tile work. Laying tiles, various tips when working with him, and so on.

In this article we will show how grouting is done ceramic tiles, let's give detailed instructions with a photo, after reading which you can easily complete this work with your own hands.

So, all the tiles have already been laid by your with my own hands and all that remains is to rub the seams for complete gloss. What do we need for work?

Materials and tools for grouting tile joints

Well, first, you need to purchase a grout mixture.

The required quantity can be calculated using a calculator for calculating the amount of grout mixture or recommendations on the packaging. In the “on-line calculator” you need to enter the tile format, joint width, area of ​​the laid surface and you get required quantity fugues in kilograms. This is what you will adhere to when purchasing. For tips on selecting a grout mixture, read the article “How to choose a grout for between tile joints?. Link to article.

You will need a few tools for high-quality grouting of tile joints:

• container for diluting the grout mixture;
• electric or cordless drill with a light mixer;
• rubber spatula and foam sponge or viscose napkin.

By the way, a small hand-held water sprayer or, as it is also called, a sprayer, would not be amiss.

Closing the grout mixture

Most often it happens that, for example, in bathrooms, the grout mixture on the walls differs from that used for the floor. It is best to start working with seams from the walls. For now, you can cover the floor with cardboard or something else so as not to stain it and subsequently waste time and effort on cleaning it.

Now you can take the container that we prepared for diluting the grout and pour the required amount of water into the bottom in accordance with the instructions on the package.

We pour water first, then pour in the grout.

There is no need to do the opposite, otherwise unstirred lumps will remain at the bottom, and it will be difficult to get rid of them.

Now you can mix everything thoroughly using a drill with a light mixer. There is no need to take a mixer for this purpose, which is used for plasters or mortars. The one that is usually used to stir paint when tinting is suitable. This is exactly what you see in the photo. This is so because the volume of the mixture being mixed is not large, and a massive mixer will simply scatter everything from your container to the sides. But it’s not worth breeding more than two kilograms, because you simply won’t have time to produce the finished product. It will set before you use it up and will be impossible to work with. So, after mixing everything thoroughly, you will get a wonderful elastic solution that looks like thick sour cream.

A small preparatory stage

This step involves dampening the ceramic tile grout. This is where you will need a water spray bottle. Using it, you can very quickly spray the entire area that we will be rubbing.

This is done so that the laid grout has better adhesion to the seams. Also, such moisture will allow the mixture to have a longer life. By the way, if you haven’t found a sprayer, you can perform this operation using a container of water and a regular paint brush of the appropriate size. It can also be used to moisturize seams. But this process is longer and less effective. A sprayer is much faster and more productive.

Do-it-yourself tile grouting

After execution preparatory work Grouting of tile joints is done using a rubber spatula. This is what can be used to hammer the mixture into the seams. We do this very carefully and quickly. At the same time, we try to pack the grout into the space between the tiles as tightly as possible.

This important point, since if voids appear in the corners and on the edges of the tiles during laying due to a lack of glue (and this can sometimes happen even among experienced tilers!), then the grout mixture will fill them and this deficiency will be eliminated.

We also carefully collect the excess grout on the tile surface with a spatula.

If this is not done, then the consumption of material will increase, and subsequently you will be tortured to wash the surface.

Let's not forget to seal those places where there are openings for communications.

Sometimes such holes are subsequently closed with caps from faucets and other plumbing devices.

In this case, their grouting, in general, would not be required. But often these conclusions remain open. In this case, failure to fill the gaps between them and the tiles will spoil all our work.

The final touch to grouting the ceramic tiles.

After you've used up all your ready-made grout and filled all the existing seams with it, you'll end up with something like this.

Now the main thing is to clean the tiles from any remaining mortar and smooth out any unevenness on the seams (they will be there, one way or another!).

For this purpose, you can use a foam sponge or viscose napkin. Using this tool, carefully remove excess grout from the surface of the tile.

Existing unevenness on the tile seams can be smoothed out with the same things, but after dipping them in water. After such a wet treatment, the irregularities are simply washed away, and the seam becomes even and smooth.

Unless, of course, you wash them not the next day, but immediately after you finish hammering the grout between the tiles.

And when you have completed work with the walls, grouting the seams of the ceramic tiles laid on the floor is done in the same way. Everything is the same, only your surface is no longer vertical, but horizontal.

Well, now the look is complete!

Grouting – last stage when laying tiles. The aesthetics of the cladding depends on how carefully and competently this action is performed. This process in professional jargon is called jointing and is performed using a rubber spatula called a fugue. The market offers a choice of these products and you need not make a mistake when selecting a tool, since the final result depends on how high-quality the spatula is chosen for the job and on the ease of use with it.

Dependence of performance on form

This product is highly specialized. It is used only for grouting joints and removing excess sweep when facing. It is made of rubber, since only this material has the necessary properties that are needed for million-dollar operations. The spatula has several sizes and is selected depending on the work and the skill level of the person performing it.

Rubber soft spatula for finishing seams

A popular product is rectangular or trapezoidal in shape.

1. The performance of such a spatula depends on the width.
2. With plastic or wooden handle or without it.
3. To maintain rubber rigidity work surface does not exceed 10 cm in height.
4. It is made from recycled materials, so they check whether the spatula is suitable for the job. The tires should be:

• hard;
• medium elasticity;
• with elasticity.

1. Tools are available in widths from 5 cm to 50 cm. To work, you need one that is comfortable to hold in one hand or in two.
2. Difficult seams between tiles are sealed with an angle trowel. However, this tool does not allow you to work at high speed.

The tile joints are given a certain shape using a round tool. The spatula is inconvenient for grouting tile joints and is used only for its intended purpose. Visually resembles a piece of wire .

Tools and materials for laying tiles

Professional tools

To perform large volumes of work, professional builders use other structures.

1. These tools are similar to construction floats, but with rubber soles.
2. The width of the tool reaches 120 mm, and the length is 250 mm.
3. To apply a large volume of the mixture to the surface, a spreading spatula more than half a meter long is used. After this, additional cleaning of the tiles from the mortar is necessary.
4. When filling joints with putty with a liquid consistency, use a jointing gun. If the amount of work is small, then replace it with a bag with a cut end.
5. To shape tile joints, professionals use special tampers and levelers. They are a long stick with a ball attached to the end. Used to form seams with a width of 0.3 to 1 cm.

Price professional tools higher than ordinary spatulas. However, they can be used for a long time without worrying about the quality of work. While a cheap product may not be enough for one job.

Set of rubber spatulas

Canvases for restoration work

A rubber spatula is used both during construction and restoration. Therefore, increased demands are placed on the material from which it is made and on the instrument itself.

1. It is made from a material with an integral structure so that no marks are left on the surface, and the putty is applied in an even layer.
2. For the manufacture of the tool, plastic rubber is used, not composite materials. This is monitored, since pieces of abrasive materials contained in the putty and joint grout will scratch the surface.
3. When carrying out restoration work, foreign grouting material should not be allowed to enter the surface being restored, therefore small-width tools are used.
4. If the tool has a handle, it should be comfortable and conducive to filling the seam with the mixture without additional pressure at him.
5. The shape of the working spatula blade should not be convenient for collecting excess construction mixture from the treated surface.

Using a rubber spatula when working gives best result than using rubber.

Differences between a modern spatula and older models

Tool differences

Since grout for joints comes in different consistencies and differs in the components it contains, when working it is better to use spatulas that are suitable for it. They are of different shapes:

• trapezoidal;
• rectangular;
• rectangular with rounded edges;
• wedge-shaped;
• in the shape of a figure eight;
• round for compaction.

Silicone model for finishing seams

The color of the spatula depends on the hardness of the product:

• black is used when compacting the mixture, when laying floor tiles or if there are voids in the space between the tiles;
• The white spatula is made of soft elastic rubber. Convenient to use during restoration work, when grouting joints on thin tiles;
• Depending on the work being performed, hard and elastic spatulas may be needed at the same time.

Applying grout between tile joints

For convenience, the tools are equipped with handles, which differ from manufacturer to manufacturer:

• plastic trapezoidal - a popular type of handles and cheap option for the manufacturer;
• a staple-shaped handle is common. This convenient device which helps increase productivity.
• wooden handles are convenient for professional work with a spatula, as they do not wear out for a long time;
• holders for replacement blades are used by professionals. Used when working with rubber spatulas due to rapid wear.
• spatulas without a handle with a special blade shape that makes it comfortable to hold in your hand.

Grout trowel using epoxy mosaic compound

For jointing, it is more convenient to use a rod-shaped spatula. However, this spatula is used only when forming joints from soft grout.

The nuances of working with a rubber spatula

Grouting work should not be carried out until the tile adhesive has completely dried, as this will cause deformation of the tile canvas.

At what angle and how to apply grout with a rubber spatula

Before grouting, you need to prepare the materials that will be needed to remove excess grout from the surface of the tiles.

The grout is applied to a clean, dry surface. The temperature in the room in which the work is performed is not lower than 10-15 degrees. Maximum air humidity is no more than 55%. Dust is unacceptable. Direct hits are not advisable sun rays onto the grout until completely dry.

The tip of the spatula must be rounded or sharpened before use. If used new tool, then manufacturers do this when releasing products from the assembly line.

High-quality grouting of tile joints

The ideal spatula can be bent into any shape, then it will return to its original position. This is a result of the elasticity of the rubber from which the product is made. If the tool cannot be reshaped or it is difficult to do so, it means that it is made of pure rubber or of poor quality. composite materials. It is better to refuse to work with such a canvas.

The putty spatula and the grout spatula are different, so they cannot replace each other when working.

Tools must be washed after work, as the remaining mixture destroys the structure of the spatula blade and may cause further difficulties during use. Once the composition has dried, it is difficult to clean off the spatula.

Cleaning excess tiles grout composition

The tool is easy to manufacture, so there are many products on the market made from low-quality raw materials. To avoid problems during operation, you need to try changing the shape of the canvas during purchase, checking its elasticity.

It remains to analyze in detail what tool is needed for this.

Tools for stirring grout.

The easiest option is to mix the grout in buckets, in which grout mixture with hydrophobic properties is sold. Regular is sold in paper bags.

You can stir by hand using a trowel. The spatula should be long and rectangular. With this shape of the tool it is easier to stir and remove from the bottom. A narrow metal spatula is less productive.

Mixing the grout manually with a trowel.

Videos often show stirring grout with a drill or screwdriver.

Possibly at low speeds. But this is another one additional tool. Which needs to be washed, stored, purchased, transported. The time gain is small. Except when grouting tiles on a supermarket floor.

At this stage, another important tool is needed - a brush for washing the trowel and bucket.

If you leave it without washing (there are many such advisers) and then simply tap it so that it sprinkles, then everything will not fly off. The new grout (and a different color) will contain pieces of old dry grout from the bucket.

Cleaning grout tools with a brush and water.

Tool for applying grout between seams.

Spatulas for grouting joints were reviewed separately. Turned out to be the best for grouting epoxy grout Litokol. It crushes the mixture perfectly. They are comfortable to work in corners due to their sharp edges. This is the opinion of the majority who have tried it at work. Those who did not do this are still rubbed with a narrow piece of rubber.

Tool for applying grout to joints.

Tools for removing grout and cleaning tiles.

For this stage of work you need to have two tools:

A spatula for removing grout from tiles and a piece of soft foam rubber. The beauty of the seam depends on these tools.

The professional spatula is made of high-quality plastic and porous cellulose. Another such tool may be called a “rubber-coated plaster float.”

There are many analogues. There is no other way to call them. The problem with the designers of such devices is that they do not grout the tiles and do not understand the main property of this tool. Having copied externally, they want the product to be a success.

Spatula for removing grout from tiles.

The main difference between such spatulas ( in photos 1-3 ) – soft foam rubber at the base. Often with small pores. It does not collect the dried grout well and quickly becomes clogged with the mixture.

Also, foam rubber is quickly erased, but often it doesn’t get that far because it falls off the handle. If you buy such a tool, then the whole technology is perceived as nonsense.

Not everything is simple with a piece of foam rubber either. If you take the first one you come across, it will last for 2-3 working days. It quickly crumples and turns into a rag. To erode the grout on the tiles with such foam rubber, you have to apply more pressure. This causes depressions on the seam.

I felt the difference by accident when I bought a piece of pink foam rubber at the market. It's more expensive.

Pink furniture foam.

The whole trick is in the density and rigidity of this material.

Foam rubber is made for various needs. The cheapest is packaging or soundproofing. This is the one that is most often used for blurring. It quickly clumps and does not absorb water.

It is necessary to use furniture foam pink color. It has more density and rigidity. It does not wrinkle after repeated squeezing. This material lasts for a year without loss of quality.

The thickness also varies. From 20 mm to 100 mm.

Optimal – 40 mm. With greater thickness, it is necessary to rinse more often and thoroughly. The grout remains in the middle of a thick piece and hardens. With a smaller thickness, it does not collect water well.

Pink foam rubber 40 mm thick.

Available in furniture production denser foam - blue. I had no such work experience.

Below is information about the classification of foam rubber for furniture. There is a detailed explanation why packaging material loses elasticity:

If you pick the right tools and use them correctly, there is no need for a round spatula to form the seam. The latter has the disadvantage of smearing grains of paint along the seam (for some grouts).

Tools for cleaning tiles from plaque.

This is the last stage in the grouting work. It must be removed from the lined surface white coating which appears after the cement grout has dried.

You can use a simple dry cloth. It will work. But if you imagine the evolution of this instrument for me, then there will be such a chain.

Work gloves > burlap > piece of towel > felt mitten.

The last option turned out to be the most effective. These gloves are used in welding work. Sometimes they are called “welder’s gloves”. The pile removes plaque well and will never scratch the tiles. One mitten lasts a long time.

You can also use a more rigid option. Scotch Brite sanding sheets for hand sanding. This material has many embodiments. It is necessary to use products that do not contain abrasive material.

They are good for removing hardened grout in pits and deep patterns on tiles.

Felt mittens.

Cleaning of plaque should be carried out after the seam has completely dried.

Dry tiles after grouting.

In such a state as in the photo, it is too early to wipe off the plaque. The seams are raw. When removing plaque, you spread the grout over the tile again. You can wash it again clean water with foam rubber. The next day there will be less plaque and it will be easier to remove. The more cement grout is diluted with water, the weaker it is.

Epoxy grout tools.

To apply epoxy grout, you can use all of the above tools.

Only in this case, some become disposable. The pores on the wash spatula and foam rubber are clogged with the drying epoxy mixture. They lose their performance. If there are significant volumes, one set is not enough and has to be replaced.

Tiler's bucket - is it necessary for grouting work?

Tiler's bucket.

On Russian Internet This tool has appeared on the market recently. He was noticed on Western YouTube about five years ago.

The main advantage of a bucket for grouting tiles (its know-how) is the rollers for cleaning the porous material on a grater from the grout mixture.

This innovation allows you to avoid getting your hands wet and work without rubber gloves. Prevents cement from corroding the skin. There is nothing more useful in that set. There are disadvantages:

• The first drawback is the grater that comes in the set. It is covered with soft foam rubber. This is one of the first three options in the photo above.
• The second inconvenience is the bucket itself. As a container it is convenient and roomy. But this is another container that needs to be moved, stored, purchased. The most balanced review of the grouting bucket is here:

It is not for nothing that attempts are being made to combine the idea of ​​cleaning using rollers with existing containers for working with tiles:

• Use a small bath for cleaning.
• Use a simple roller for rolling wallpaper.

Device for squeezing the grater.

Roller for cleaning rubber floats.

Tools for grouting large areas.

A set of such a tool is shown in the video below:

The mixture used there is somewhat thinner than usual. Due to this and repeated, repeated movements on the tile, filling of the seams is achieved. The grout is also “soft” - it hardens for a long time and is easily washed off with a foam sponge.

The second interesting experience was using a butterfly mop with a mechanical spin when grouting large areas of tiles on the floor. Its advantage is that the foam head is covered with fluffy microfiber, which makes the mop absorb water, but with a hard surface. The flat surface does not wash out the grout in the seams. This mop can be used to clean even quickly hardening mixtures.

TOOLS FOR REMOVAL OF OLD GROUT.

Sometimes the grout is not the right color or is not applied professionally. In such cases, there is a desire to change it. The method for removing old grout from joints depends on the type of grout applied.

If the grout is class “CG2”, with increased durability to abrasion, it can only be removed mechanically:

Grinder or DREMEL mini drill. The latter is more convenient.

Tools for removing old grout.

When working with an angle grinder, it is necessary to pass the cutting wheel along the center of the seam, without touching the side edges of the tiles. Residues around the edges can be easily removed with a knife with replaceable blades.

Grouts Ceresit, Sopro are soft. They can be cut with a knife or a special scraper.

If a knife can only scratch the seam, then it is most likely Mapei grout or a similar grade. Disadvantage of the scraper:

• There is a danger of chipping the tile.
• On hard grout it does not last long, and in some cases it is useless.

Disadvantages of the knife:

• Not exactly laid tile, corners may be chipped.
• In some cases it is useless to use.

Below is a collection of videos (playlist) “How to remove old grout”:

Clinker tiles were invented in the first half of the 19th century and are tiles in the form ceramic stone. It is made from baked clay, and its first production was established in Holland.

The tile turned out to be quite durable and began to be used as a building material in those countries where the extraction of natural stone was insufficient to satisfy the need. They began to use it to pave roads and sidewalks, to use it in the construction of houses, as well as for their decoration.

Currently, clinker tiles are made from special slate clay, which has a high melting point. In addition, impurities such as salt and carbonate must be completely removed from the clay. To color it or give it additional properties, various metal oxides are added to the composition.

The heat treatment process takes place from 36 to 48 hours, maintaining a temperature of more than 1300 degrees. But the result is excellent. The tile is baked completely and evenly. In addition, it acquires water-repellent properties, it is very durable, does not change its color under the influence of UV, is resistant to aggressive environments, and, very importantly, it is environmentally friendly. Naturally, these properties of the tile make it very popular. building material.

The use of clinker tiles in house construction and landscaping

It is used to line swimming pools, house facades, sidewalks and roads, and much more. For example, building a house from face brick very expensive. You can even use used brick and cover it with brick-like clinker tiles.

This material is used for both exterior and interior work. Used as a cladding in the bathroom has the advantage that the foot practically does not slip on wet floor. It has also proven itself well for lining fireplaces and stoves.

Work on laying clinker tiles

For the beauty of this material to fully reveal itself, it must be laid correctly. It is very important to achieve beautiful and even seams. No matter how beautiful the material is, if it is laid ineptly, it does not create the appropriate appearance.

The use of grout or, as it is also called, grout, is also intended not only to improve the appearance, but also to provide protection from moisture getting under the coating, while preventing the growth and spread of mold. This applies to indoor work.

If the tiles are laid outdoors, it is important to protect them from moisture so that when they freeze, the tiles will not swell after the “freezing-thawing” process.

Of course, there is also a purely aesthetic purpose - you can choose different colors grout so that the color of the tiles looks advantageous. There are also situations when you need to align the edges of tiles, which sometimes have slight unevenness. A fugue can help hide this.

For the job, special tools are used for grouting tile joints. They come in two types: a tool for grouting clinker tiles and a tool for removing grout from tile joints.

Tile grouting tool

The first tools are needed to apply the mixture between the tiles and compact it well. The quality of the work depends on how tight the seam is. For a tool such as mason jointing, a semi-dry grout is used. It is used for working with brick-shaped tiles, since with this tool a seam with a slightly rough structure is obtained, as it should be with real brickwork.

Use narrow thin spatulas to level the seams and a spatula or trowel made of either plywood or metal sheet.

Grouting tool - a special trowel for applying semi-dry mixtures

Of course, only competent and experienced specialists use this method. Another drawback is that you can only get two colors of grout - gray and beige.

There is also this type of grout application - this is the application of a composition that has the thickness of store-bought sour cream, which is then leveled and compacted with a special grater with rubber sole. After drying, the residues are removed or special tool to remove grout from tile joints or with a special sponge, placing it on the edge at an angle of 45 degrees. Usually, if the grout good quality, it can be easily removed from the tiles. If the grout is of poor quality or was not removed on time, use special means, with the help of which the tiles are cleaned of dirt.

Process of working with liquid composition grout.

Of course, the price for such a composition is high, especially taking into account the waste, but it is quite versatile and durable to use.

Finally, a gun is used on the wall masonry to apply the compound, diluted to a paste. At the same time, excess composition does not stain the tiles, which is especially important when applied vertically.

Applying the composition using a gun

Then a certain time is maintained, which is indicated in the instructions. We must remember that each manufacturer gives its own recommendations for using grout. After the specified time, the excess is removed, and the seam is leveled with a special tool for grouting clinker tile joints.

Aligning a seam using a tool

Again, the high-quality composition does not leave streaks. True, special substances are added to the composition that make the grout more flexible and convenient when using a gun, which increases its cost, but there are many shades for application and it is easy to work with such a composition.

To perform all this work you need good tool, which it is advisable not to make from improvised means, but to buy in specialized stores.

To buy a tool for grouting tiles, you need to know what composition you will be using. If this is a composition for continuous application, then you only need a grater, which has a rubber sponge at the bottom, and the body can be made of plastic or wood.

For example, it could be like this:

Buying a set of tools for grouting clinker tiles is easy, the main thing is to make sure that they will work well. To do this, it is better to buy the instrument in person, and not through an online store, if possible. It is better to take Polish trowels themselves for leveling and filling seams - the quality is good and the price is not exorbitant. True, for a pistol you will have to pay an amount of 3,500 rubles. But the cost of the work will quickly pay for the cost of a good tool.

Grout gun

Work with laying corrugated tiles

In addition to the long-known clinker tiles, which have big advantage In front of other types of ceramic tiles, designers together with technologists have produced a type of cladding such as porcelain tiles with a special surface that has the appearance of convex and concavity in the form of a pattern.

Applications of corrugated tiles

When laying, a single pattern is obtained, and during the manufacture of such tiles, the edges are aligned and polished, so the seams remain practically invisible. In addition, it is very convenient for laying on the floor in the bathroom or kitchen, since the ridges prevent slipping. After additives were invented that prevent dirt from remaining in the tile pattern, its use received a new round.

Laying corrugated tiles

After laying the tiles on the surface, they need to stand for a day. This optimal time, since there is still some moisture left under the tile, which will work well for better adhesion of the fugue to the tile. Since the composition does not need to be used in a creamy state, it is better to use grout in the form of a semi-dry and paste mixture.

The best tool for grouting grooved tiles is either a gun or a spatula, it depends on the size of the surface being treated.

Applying a fugue to the seams when laying corrugated tiles

After which all seams are coated with a special soft cloth or a special grater with a sponge bottom (not to be confused with foam rubber, this is different).

The next step, without waiting for complete drying, using a tool for removing grout from the tile joints, remove all excess, wipe it. This tool is called a grout remover and is used specifically for these purposes.

Tool for removing grout from seams.

You can simply do without this tool, just use cardboard for cleaning as you work, then a soft cloth and rinse after a while.

If you need to update the grout to provide additional antifungal properties, you can use various electrical accessories, for example, Dremel.

Removing old grout using a Dremel.

We clean the work area with a brush and rag and apply the desired new composition.

The grout gun is the most handy tool, with the help of which the gaps between finishing elements are filled. It is suitable for working with any materials: natural or artificial stone, paving and tiles, brick, concrete.

A special gun is used to fill the seams of ceramic tiles. This grouting tool helps make the job easier and faster. There are 2 types of pistols:

• for grouting stone joints;
• for grouting tiles, ceramic (clinker) tiles.

All tools of this type are plunger-type, equipped with a special simple mechanism for squeezing out the mixture. Various models differ in several ways:

1. material for manufacturing parts;
2. color scheme structural elements;
3. volume of the container for the mixture;
4. number and type of attachments included in the package.

Any gun for grouting clinker tiles and stone consists of several elements:

• a housing in which a container for the mixture is installed;
• one or more nozzles;
• plunger mechanism with piston;
• handles.

The plunger mechanism consists of:

1. metal pusher;
2. seal in the form of a solid rubber ring;
3. piston;
4. springs.

Professional and semi-professional equipment is equipped with a mechanism that provides enhanced feed with gentle pressure on the handles. Models large size have welded metal case, able to withstand enough high blood pressure. All elements of such structures are galvanized, which prevents the development of corrosion. This is an important point, since the gun comes into contact with humid environments while working with it.

Nozzles, tube spouts and the tubes themselves for the mixture are made of high-strength plastic. This is a wear-resistant material that can withstand prolonged exposure to abrasive grout mixtures. The most popular models of tools from the manufacturers STAYER and POINTING GUN.

Grout guns are easy to use. In order to get started, you need to follow a series of simple steps.

• fill the tube with grout;
• install the tube into the body;
• If necessary, put on the spout nozzle.

Then the handles of the tool are slowly squeezed, which sets the piston in motion. It is located inside the tube, in its upper part. When the handles come closer to each other, the spring straightens, which begins to put pressure on the piston, and it gradually lowers down. In this case, the mass located inside the tube is squeezed out through the spout. That's all you need to know about the principle of operation of the gun for filling joints between stones and tiles.

Spatula

A spatula for grouting joints is a highly specialized product, represented by several types of this tool. Craftsmen know how important its shape is, on which labor productivity largely depends. The size of this tool is no less important for finishing and plastering works.

The most popular among professionals and novice craftsmen is a rubber spatula for filling cracks between finishing elements. These tools are made of durable and fairly elastic material. Stores sell sets consisting of two, three or more spatulas different sizes. The color can be any, but the most common are white, gray and black. The shape is rectangular or trapezoidal.

For a beginner who has no skill in finishing works, it is advisable to buy a set of spatulas. In this case, you can try each one in practice and choose the one that is most convenient and provides high performance labor. The length of the rubber sheet can be from 5 to 50 cm. Such spatulas are suitable for working with any type of mixture. But applying cement grout often requires the use of a metal spatula.

A round spatula is necessary to form a beautiful seam line. Externally, this tool resembles a piece of elastic and at the same time elastic wire.

Other types of instruments

In order to do a high-quality grouting, you will need more than just a spatula. There is a set of tools and devices, each of which is designed to perform a single task. So, to apply the mixture using the slurry method, you will need a grout float with thick rubber on the bottom side.

It is not difficult to work with this tool: you take a small amount of the mixture onto the canvas and distribute it over the tiles. Moving the float diagonally up and down, fill the seams with grout. Take the next portion of the mixture and repeat the process. They do this until they get tight seams.

To make them even and smooth, you will need a special trowel for grouting. An essential accessory for a tile maker is a soft foam sponge. It washes away excess mixture and eliminates uneven seams.

Over time, the mixture between the tiles begins to darken, and fungus or mold may appear. This occurs due to the insufficiently high moisture resistance of the composition used to fill the cracks. In this case, a grout pencil, otherwise called a “grout marker,” will come in handy. And externally, the instrument corresponds to the name: it has a spout, a removable cap and a hollow body, inside of which there is a white or colored antiseptic composition. Tile marker colors grout lines desired color, masks stains, disinfects.

Tile Cleaning Tools

Appearance The design of a tiled wall depends largely on how beautiful the seams are. There is a special mesh for grouting, which is used to grind the surface of the mixture in the cracks. A grout float is also suitable for this purpose.

2 methods of sanding seams have been developed: dry and wet. For the first, choose a grater with a fine mesh. The seams are not wetted with water, which leads to the formation of large quantity dust. For this reason, many craftsmen prefer to use wet method grinding.

Before starting work, you need to buy a cellulose sponge needed to remove grout from the tiles. The process of using this device is simple: immerse the sponge in a container of water, lightly wring it out and clean the mixture from the tiles.

How to choose a tool for the job

The choice of tool depends on what material you will have to work with. You can use a rubber putty knife to fill gaps between tiles and stones. If you have to finish a wall made of artificial bricks, best choice there will be a gun. The seams are sanded using smoothers. To grout concrete, trowels with meshes are used.