Device for filling seams. How to choose a grouting tool, types of tools: grout gun, rubber spatula and others. The nuances of working with a rubber spatula

Grouting - final stage when laying tiles. From how neatly and competently executed this action, depends on the aesthetics of the lining. This process in professional jargon is called jointing and is done with a rubber spatula called jointing. The market offers a choice of these products and you need not make a mistake when choosing a tool, since the end result depends on how high-quality a spatula is chosen for work and on the convenience of working with it.

Form-dependence of performance

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

Rubber soft spatula for finishing seams

A popular product is a rectangular or trapezoidal shape.

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

• hard;
• medium elasticity;
• with elasticity.

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

Give the inter-tile seams a certain shape with a round-shaped 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 designs.

1. Such tools are similar to building graters, but with a rubber sole.
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 distributing spatula with a length of more than half a meter is used. After it, additional cleaning of the tile from the solution is necessary.
4. When filling the joints with putty with a liquid consistency, use a planer gun. If the amount of work is small, then replace it with a bag with a cut end.
5. To shape the tile joints, professionals use special tampers and levelers. They are a long stick, at the end of which a ball is fixed. Used in the formation of seams with a width of 0.3 to 1 cm.

The cost of professional tools is higher than ordinary spatulas. However, they are used for a long time and do not worry about the quality of work. While a cheap product may not be enough for one job.

Set of rubber spatulas

Cloths for restoration and restoration works

A rubber spatula is used both in construction and in restoration. Therefore, increased requirements are imposed on the material from which it is made, and on the tool itself.

1. It is made from a material with a holistic structure so that no traces remain on the surface, and the putty is applied in an even layer.
2. Plastic rubber is used for the manufacture of the tool, not composite materials. This is monitored, as pieces of abrasive materials present in putty and grout will scratch the surface.
3. When performing restoration work, it is not allowed to get foreign trowel material on the surface to be restored, therefore tools of small width are used.
4. If the tool has a handle, then it should be comfortable and conducive to filling the seam with a mixture without additional pressure on it.
5. The shape of the working blade of the spatula should not be convenient for collecting excess building mix from the treated surface.

Using a rubber spatula when working gives a better result than using a rubber one.

Differences between a modern spatula and old models

Tool Differences

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

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

Silicone model for finishing seams

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

• black is used when compacting the mixture, when laying floor tiles or in the presence of voids in the inter-tile space;
• The white spatula is made of soft elastic rubber. It is convenient to use during restoration work, when grouting joints on thin tiles;
• Depending on the work to be done, a hard and flexible spatula may be needed at the same time.

Applying grout between tile joints

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

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

Trowel for grouting with epoxy mosaic compound

For jointing it is more convenient to use a spatula in the form of a rod. However, this spatula is used only when forming joints from soft grout.

The nuances of working with a rubber spatula

Performing grouting work is not carried out before the tile adhesive is completely dry, as it will cause deformation of the tile web.

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. The maximum air humidity is not more than 55%. Dust is not allowed. It is not desirable to get direct sunlight on the grout until it dries completely.

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

An ideal spatula can be bent into any shape, then it will return to its original position. This is the result of the elasticity of the rubber from which the product is made. If the tool does not lend itself to reshaping or it is obtained with great difficulty, then it is made of pure rubber or poor-quality composite materials. It is better to refuse to work with such a canvas.

The spatula for puttying and the spatula for grouting are different, so they cannot replace each other during operation.

After work, the tools must be washed, as the remaining mixture destroys the structure of the spatula blade and may cause difficulties in use in the future. After drying, the composition is poorly peeled off with a spatula.

Cleaning tiles from excess grout

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

When grouting after tiling, two significant results can be obtained. Firstly, a harmonious surface is created that will fully comply with the design ideas. Secondly, the possibility of mold and mildew is neutralized, and general pollution is also reduced. Naturally, the work must be carried out in compliance with certain rules.

There is a certain period that must be waited before taking the necessary measures. Yes, grouting ceramic tiles carried out one day after laying the material. Much depends on the glue used. Why can't we wait longer? There are several reasons for this:

1. On the second day, the mixture used for lining retains a little elasticity. This means that it will be easy to remove when cleaning the seams. Subsequently, you will have to make much more effort.
2. The moisture remaining in the solution promotes better adhesion. Of course, it is possible to wet the gaps additionally. But this can lead to some disadvantages: it becomes liquid and less elastic. Working with such a mixture is much more difficult.
3. Open seams get dirty quickly. Small particles of dust and dirt quickly get into open holes and clog them. This leads to the fact that it becomes much more difficult to apply the solution.

It becomes extremely clear that such work must be done on time. Then it will be possible to get a coverage that will meet all the necessary requirements.

Grouting after laying ceramic tiles is carried out after a day

Solution preparation

For work, you can use a ready-made mixture, which is sold in hardware stores. It just needs to be mixed well before use. There are also dry solutions, they have to be diluted in advance. For cooking you will need the following:

• Water room temperature. She is allowed to settle beforehand so that possible inclusions settle to the bottom of the bucket.
• Mixing container. It should be comfortable to work with, and also be larger than the intended amount of the mixture. It should be borne in mind that the amount of material being prepared must be such that it is used up before drying begins.
• Spatula or trowel. This tool is essential for kneading. Of course, you can use a drill with a mixer attachment, but given the small amount of mixture being prepared, this will be a pointless exercise. It is better to do everything by hand to get the desired result and not to collect the solution from the walls of the container.

Grout mortar is best kneaded with a spatula or trowel

The cooking process looks like this:

• Each grout for tile joints contains instructions from the manufacturer. It indicates the amount of water needed to prepare the desired volume of the mixture.
• Water is poured into the mixing container. Next, a small part of the material is poured. Now you should mix the composition well. If it turns out too dry, then more water is added, or vice versa.
• All components must be diluted to a pasty state. After that, the grouting solution is left for five minutes. Then the stirring is repeated.

It turns out a homogeneous substance, which has sufficient viscosity and elasticity. She is very comfortable to work with. But after a while, the properties will begin to deteriorate.

After mixing all the components, a viscous and very elastic mixture is obtained.

Grout technology

It should be borne in mind that grouting tiles with your own hands is carried out in several stages. The area of ​​continuous work should be two square meters. This is how you get everything done right. Of course, when there is enough experience, the process is much faster.

Before grouting tiles, prepare essential tool: rubber spatula, grater, rags, sponge, spatula for forming a seam (smoothener).

Immediately before applying the grout, it is necessary to prepare the necessary tools and rubber gloves

The next steps are:

• When unglazed tiles are used, they are pre-wetted. This is done with a sponge, which helps water penetrate deep into the joints. But this must be done very carefully, it is impossible to prevent the occurrence of streaks and the formation of excess moisture. When the material is glazed, this process can be skipped.
  

  Advice! It is better not to use tile sponges that are used for washing dishes. There are other options, they are sold in departments for car service.

• The pre-prepared mixture is applied to the grater for grouting. The tool is placed at an angle of thirty degrees to the surface and they begin to move it diagonally. This method is used due to the fact that when performing a horizontal or vertical movement, it is not possible to apply the composition evenly.

When applying grout to a tile, move diagonally

• The procedure for grouting tile joints requires some effort. It is necessary to press on the grater so that all possible voids are filled. You can also use a rubber spatula to work. But then the process will take much longer. After all, you will have to press the solution in small portions throughout the entire area of ​​\u200b\u200bwork. The spatula is great for hard-to-reach places and corners.
  

  On a note! Corners are a very prominent place that gets noticed a lot. Therefore, work in such areas must be done very carefully.

• Having filled all the gaps in the selected area of ​​​​work, proceed to the grout using the dry method. To do this, clean the grater from the remnants of the mixture and place it at an angle of eighty degrees to the surface. And again, all movements are performed exclusively diagonally. This makes it possible to remove excess composition. It happens that unintentional removal of the mortar from the seam occurs - then the mixture is applied again.
• The surface is left for fifteen minutes. During this time, you can overwrite another area. Now it's time to use the wet method. To do this, the sponge is moistened in water, and very abundantly, and they begin to drive it diagonally. But before proceeding with these manipulations, they check that the putty is no longer removed from the seam. You have to experiment a little first.

• Coming next stage. It resembles the previous one, but the differences are that the sponge is well wrung out. And the movements should be circular. Excessive pressure should be avoided. After all, this way you can remove the grouting material. It must be remembered that the sponge must be constantly rinsed and squeezed well.
  

  On a note! Such a process can quickly spoil the sponge, turning it into a useless thing. Therefore, you should have a spare product.

• Sealing between tiles is not finished. Next, it's time to use special tools to form beautiful gaps between adjacent elements. It is convenient to use a special spatula, it looks like a small round stick. When the procedure is completed, the next turn of the sponge comes. It is led parallel to the seam - erasing all unnecessary. It is possible to obtain a rounded seam. If this is not required, then the gaps are simply leveled flush with the tiles.

A special round spatula allows you to create beautiful seams

It seems that do-it-yourself grouting of ceramic tiles is coming to an end. In fact, it should be borne in mind that the event is quite long and requires further continuation. Now it is necessary to wait for the moment when the suture material dries sufficiently, and it will be possible to begin to remove the remaining excess, which will be everywhere present on the front side of the product.

For work, an irreplaceable sponge is used, which is well washed and squeezed. With quick movements, it is carried out over the surface to the length of an outstretched arm. Each successive pass must be parallel to the previous one. If everything is done correctly, then in this way it is possible to remove all the remnants of the solution. Of course, it will be difficult to do this completely, but it is not necessary. The main thing is to remove large excess from the tile, which will dry quickly.


Removing excess grout on tiles

Sealing

Sealing is a necessary process that is performed immediately after the completion of the grouting work. It is needed to give the seam increased strength. This will protect it from exposure to various chemicals and water. The choice of material is approached with all care. For work it is better to use compositions that are completely transparent. They are made from silicone.

On a note! This solution has a rather specific smell, similar to ammonia. Therefore, it is better to perform work in a respirator.

The sealing process makes the seam more durable

Before sealing the joints with protective compounds, it is determined with further actions that will be focused on the type of ceramic product:

• Glazed material. All activities must be carried out very carefully. Such a surface is very easy to damage or even completely spoil. Therefore, the work area is additionally pasted over with masking tape. And for work, sealant is used in tubes, which is applied with a special gun.
• Products without glaze. Many craftsmen advise covering the entire surface with a protective compound, including tiles. Of course, you will get a layer that will protect it from various influences, but this will spoil the whole appearance. In addition, there is a high probability that such a layer will peel off.

It becomes clear how to use grout and protective compounds. Sometimes it is believed that such work does not require compliance with many of the steps described. You can apply the mixture and quickly form a seam. But the result will be rather deplorable. Therefore, only strict adherence to all technological processes– a guarantee of reliability, quality and attractive appearance.

VIDEO: how to properly grout the seams on the tile

Ceramic tiles are one of the most reliable and beautiful materials for floor and wall finishing. In order for such a surface to last as long as possible, because the work to replace it is very costly and voluminous, it is worth taking care of high-quality seams between ceramic elements.

The practical purpose of the space between the plates

Although tile is a durable floor or wall covering that can withstand heavy loads, it requires grouting. It is worth figuring out why you need to rub the seams between the tiled material.

What properties do they have:

• barrier to moisture. The composition that is used for grouting is not affected by moisture and does not allow liquid to pass under ceramic tiles. Due to this property of the grout, the appearance of fungal microorganisms is prevented, this is especially important for bathrooms, baths or kitchens;
• protection of the product from temperature extremes. The material of ceramic tiles is able to both narrow and expand. To avoid cracking and preserve the integrity of the coating, the space between the tile elements is jointed.

  This technique creates a specific buffer and prevents damage to the coating;

• aesthetic appearance. Depending on the color of the tiled elements themselves, the color of the grout mixture is selected. Thanks to even and neat seams, the color and pattern of the floor elements becomes more expressive and the floor looks much more beautiful;
• geometry adjustment. Not all elements of ceramic flooring material have perfectly smooth edges. This disadvantage is easily eliminated by jointing, due to which the surface is given a neat appearance.

REFERENCE: due to the correctly performed jointing process, the service life is increased floor covering. It is especially important to grout the seams in rooms intended for regular use, where the floor takes on significant loads.

Main types of tools

To perform grouting of the inter-tile space, a whole list of tools is used. How exactly to use this or that tool and which one to give preference to, as well as their varieties are described in detail below.

grout gun

The most convenient tool that facilitates work and reduces repair time by 2 times is a ceramic tile grouting gun. It consists of the following elements:

• frame. A special container is inserted into it for filling with a mixture;
• nozzles;
• plunger mechanism with a piston that allows you to adjust the extrusion of the mixture during operation;
• handles.

Using this device is easy. In order to carry out grouting with it, you will need to fill the tube with a mixture, install it in the body and, if necessary, using the nozzle, start the process.

The extrusion of the mixture occurs due to a slight pressure on the handle of the device. The required amount of the mixture is squeezed out through the spout of the nozzle and the grout is distributed in the inter-tile space.

Putty knife

Of the most popular tools for filling joints between tiles with a special mixture is a spatula. Tools vary in size, color, material and shape. There are several types of this tool:

• rubber spatulas. The length of the devices varies between 5-50 cm. They are suitable for all types of mixtures;
• metal. It is used, if necessary, to carry out grouting using a cement composition;
• round spatula. Used as a tool that forms beautiful and even seams. By appearance it resembles an elastic and resilient wire. Due to its shape, it makes the seams smooth and even.

REFERENCE: For do-it-yourself work, it is recommended to purchase a set of spatulas in order to understand in the process which one gives the best result.

Other instruments

In addition to the above tools, in the process you will need the following devices:

• grater for applying the composition by the slurry method. It involves the distribution of the mixture due to the repeated application of the composition, covering large areas of the tile with it, and not directly filling the joints, such as with a gun or spatula. The tool is made (its working part) of dense rubber. With the help of a grater, the composition is evenly distributed;
• trowel. It is a foam rubber sponge, with the help of which, during the work, residues and excesses of the mixture are removed and the seams are aligned.

What else might be needed during the work?

In the jointing process, not only tools are needed for applying the mixture, but also for surface preparation, mortar preparation and other additional devices.

Surface preparation

Before proceeding with the process itself, it is important to properly prepare the surface. First of all, the inter-tile space is cleaned of dirt and glue. To clean the inter-tile space, a knife is used, carefully cutting off the excess composition, after which the surface is vacuumed.

You can use a metal soft brush in the process of preparing the surface. It is also good to use for the final cleaning of old grout.

REFERENCE: it is recommended to clean the seams even in the process of laying ceramic elements, using a sharpened wooden stick and a sponge for this. This will significantly save time and effort in the process of filling the joints with grout.

Solution preparation

On sale there are many ready-made formulations that do not require preparation. But, if before the application process you want to prepare the composition yourself, then you should do it strictly following the instructions.

Tools you will need to prepare the mixture:

• rectangular trowel;
• metal spatula;
• drill driver.

From the listed tools, you need to choose the most convenient. The drill is used mainly for bulk work in which you need to stir the solution constantly.

REFERENCE: it is worth remembering that the time for which you need to use the solution is limited for each composition and varies from 45 minutes to 24 hours. This point must be taken into account when determining the volume of the mixture to be prepared.

Application of mixtures

To apply the composition to the interstitial space, it is recommended to use the following types of spatulas or choose the most suitable and convenient from the following:

• trapezoidal rubber spatula. It is considered a classic type of such a tool, universal. Easy to use, with its help it is easy to apply the composition even in hard-to-reach places, for example, under furniture;
• a rectangular spatula made of dense rubber. This type of tool should be preferred as a last resort and in special cases, since it is not very convenient for work and the process takes a lot of time;
• trapezoidal spatula. Used for jointing mosaic;
• angle spatula. It is used both for filling the space between ceramic elements in the corners, and for grouting decorative stone joints.

Tools for cleaning tiles from grout

The last step in creating seams is surface cleaning, there are 2 methods. In most cases, preference is given to the "wet" method, because. there is no dust left behind. But with the help of dry cleaning, the result is not worse than in the case of the wet method.

Wet cleaning

A cellulose sponge is used, which is moistened with water, squeezed a little and sanded the seams and clean the surface.

Dry cleaning

A grater with a fine mesh is used. During the grinding process, it is not necessary to wet the seams with water.

What else to buy to create reliable seams?

To create beautiful, even and reliable joints between tiles, it is recommended to additionally purchase a special grout pencil. With its help, the appearance of fungus and mold in the seams is prevented and the color of the mixture is restored, since it begins to darken over time.

With the help of a marker for tile joints, color is restored, dirt, stains are eliminated and disinfection occurs.

Tool Selection Summary

Each master should choose a tool for himself, focusing on his skills, abilities and ease of work. It is worth taking into account the characteristics of the material with which you will need to work. Everyone decides for himself which tool is more convenient to apply the mixture.

Basically, these are rubber spatulas. If grouting occurs on the wall, it is more convenient to do this with a gun.

We must not forget about grinding with the help of special trowels.

When choosing a tool, it is important to understand that with its help it is necessary to achieve high-quality and reliable seams between ceramic tile elements.

Video review

The grout gun is the most handy tool, with which to fill the gaps between the trim elements. It is suitable for working with any materials: natural or artificial stone, paving and tiles, brick, concrete.

To fill the seams of ceramic tiles use a special gun. 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, equipped with a special simple mechanism for squeezing the mixture. Different models differ in several ways:

1. material for the manufacture of parts;
2. color solution structural elements;
3. the volume of the container for the mixture;
4. the number and type of nozzles 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 a 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 a slight pressure on the handles. Large models have a welded metal body that can withstand enough high pressure. All elements of such structures are galvanized, which prevents the development of corrosion. it important point, since the gun is in contact with wet environments while working with it.

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

Seam filling guns are easy to use. In order to get started, you need to consistently perform a series of simple steps.

• fill the tube with grout;
• install the tube in the body;
• put on a spout if necessary.

After that, 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 approach each other, the spring straightens, which begins to put pressure on the piston, and it gradually goes down. In this case, the mass inside the tube is squeezed out through the spout. This is all you need to know about how a stone and tile grout gun works.

Putty knife

A spatula for grouting is a highly specialized product, represented by several types of this tool. Masters know how important its form is, on which labor productivity largely depends. No less important is the size of this tool for finishing and plastering work.

The most popular among professionals and beginners is a rubber spatula for grouting gaps between trim elements. These tools are made of durable and sufficiently elastic material. Stores sell kits consisting of two, three or more spatulas of different sizes. The color can be anything, but the most common are white, gray and black. The shape is rectangular or trapezoidal.

For a beginner with no experience 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 labor productivity. The length of the rubber sheet can be from 5 to 50 cm. Such spatulas are suitable for working with any kind of mixtures. But for applying cement grout, the use of a metal spatula is often required.

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

Other types of tools

In order to make high-quality grouting, you will need not only a spatula. There is a set of tools and devices, each of which is designed to perform any one task. So, to apply the mixture using the slurry method, you will need a grout grater, on the underside of which there is dense rubber.

It is not difficult to work with this tool: a small amount of the mixture is collected on the canvas and distributed over the tile. Moving the grater diagonally up and down, fill the joints with grout. Collect the next portion of the mixture and repeat the process. This is done until tight seams are obtained.

To give them evenness and smoothness, you will need a special trowel for grouting. An integral accessory for a tiler is a soft foam rubber sponge. It is used to wash off excess mixture and eliminate uneven seams.

Over time, the mixture between the tiles begins to darken, and fungus or mold may appear. This is due to the insufficiently high moisture resistance of the composition used to fill the gaps. In this case, a grout pencil, which is otherwise called a "grout marker", will help out. And outwardly, the tool 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. The tile marker paints the seams in the desired color, masks stains, and disinfects.

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

Grout mixing tools.

The easiest option is to knead the grout in buckets that sell grout with hydrophobic properties. Sold in paper bags.

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

Stirring the grout by hand, with a trowel.

Often the videos show stirring the grout with a drill or screwdriver.

Possibly at low rpm. But this is another additional tool. Which needs to be washed, stored, bought, transported. The time gain is small. Except in the case of grouting tiles on the floor in the supermarket.

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

If you leave it without flushing (there are many such advisers) and just, then, knock to sprinkle it, then everything will not fly off. In the new grout (and a different color), pieces of the old dry grout from the bucket will come across.

Cleaning grout tools with a brush and water.

Tool for applying grout between seams.

Spatulas for grouting were considered separately. The best was for grouting epoxy grout Litokol. It mixes well. It is convenient for them to work in corners, thanks to sharp edges. This is the opinion of the majority who have tried it in work. Those who did not do this are still rubbed with a narrow piece of rubber.

Tool for applying grout into the seams.

Tools for eroding grout and cleaning tiles.

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

Spatula for cleaning 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 grater”.

There are many analogues. You can't call them otherwise. The problem of the designers of such devices is that they do not overwrite the tile and do not understand the main property of this tool. Outwardly copying, they want the product to be a success.

Spatula for removing grout from tiles.

The main difference between such spatulas ( in photo 1-3 ) - soft foam at the base. Often with small pores. It does not collect the cooled grout well and quickly clogs with the mixture.

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

With a piece of foam rubber - not everything is simple either. If you take the first one that comes across, then it will last for 2-3 business days. It quickly crumbles and turns into a rag. To blur the grout on the tile, with such foam rubber, you have to press harder. This causes cavities in the seam.

I felt the difference by accident, having bought a piece of pink foam rubber at the market. It is 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 most often used for blurring. It quickly clumps into a ball and does not absorb water.

Furniture foam must be used Pink colour. It has more density and rigidity. It does not wrinkle after repeated squeezing. Such material lasts a year, without loss of quality.

Thickness also varies. From 20mm to 100mm.

Optimal - 40 mm. With a greater thickness, it is necessary to rinse more often and more thoroughly. The grout stays in the middle of the thick piece and hardens. With a smaller thickness - poorly collects water.

Pink foam rubber 40 mm thick.

Is in furniture production denser foam - blue. There was no such experience.

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

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

Tools for cleaning tiles from plaque.

This is the last stage in the trowel work. On it must be removed from the lined surface white coating, which appears after the cement grout dries.

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

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

The last option turned out to be the most effective. Such gloves are used in welding work. Sometimes they are given the name "welder's gloves". The pile removes plaque well and will never scratch the tile. One glove lasts a long time.

You can also use a more rigid version. Scotch Bright sanding sheets for hand sanding. This material has many options for implementation. It is necessary to use products that do not contain abrasive material.

They are good for removing hardened grout in pits and a deep pattern on the tile.

Felt gloves.

It is necessary to carry out cleaning from plaque after the seam has completely dried.

Dry tiles after grouting.

In this condition, as in the photo, it is too early to wipe the plaque. Seams are raw. By removing plaque, you smear the grout over the tile again. Can you wash again? clean water with foam. The next day, there will be less plaque and it will be easier to remove it. The more dilutions of cement grout 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 spatula for washing and foam rubber are clogged with a drying epoxy mixture. They lose their performance. With significant volumes, one set is not enough, you have to change.

Tiler's bucket - is it necessary for grouting?

Tiler bucket.

This tool has recently appeared on the Russian Internet market. In Western YouTube, he was seen five years ago.

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

This innovation allows you not to wet your hands 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 has a soft foam cover. This is one of the first three options in the photo above.
• The second inconvenience is the bucket itself. As a container, it is comfortable and roomy. But this is another container that needs to be moved, stored, bought. The most balanced review of the grout bucket is here:

It is not in vain that there are attempts to combine the idea of ​​cleaning with rollers with existing containers for working with tiles:

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

A device for squeezing a grater.

Roller for cleaning rubber grater.

Tools for grouting large areas.

A set of such a tool in the video below:

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

Second interesting experience– use of a “butterfly” mop, with a mechanical spin when grouting large areas of tiles, on the floor. Its advantage is that the foam nozzle is covered with fleecy microfiber, which makes the mop absorb water, but with a hard surface. The flat surface does not wash out the grout in the joints. With such a mop, even quickly hardening mixtures can be washed.

TOOLS FOR REMOVING OLD GROUT.

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

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

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

Tools for removing old grout.

When working with a grinder, it is necessary to pass the cutting wheel along the center of the seam, without touching the side edges of the tiles. Remains at the edges, then easily removed with a knife, with replaceable blades.

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

If the knife can only scratch the seam, then this is most likely Mapei's grout or similar in class. Scraper disadvantage:

• There is a danger of making a chip on the tile.
• On hard grout, it is not enough for a long time, and in some cases it is useless.

Knife Disadvantages:

• On not exactly laid tiles, corners may be chipped.
• In some cases, it is useless to apply.

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