Walk into any tiled bathroom, kitchen, or entryway, and you'll see grout – even if you've never thought about it before. It's that material filling the spaces between your tiles, and it does a lot more than just look nice.
That dense mixture of cement, water, and sometimes sand that gets pressed into the gaps between tiles, called grout, is meant to keep tiles locked in place and prevent water from seeping underneath. Without grout, all of that moisture would work its way beneath your tiles to cause mold, rot, and expensive repairs.
So, how do you make sure that grout does its job for as long as possible – all while looking its best? In this brief article brought to you by the pro handymen at Mr. Handyman, we offer our two cents.
How Grout Gets Applied
Applying grout requires precision. First, the tiles go down and are secured with adhesive. Once they're set, grout gets mixed to the right consistency (not too watery, not too thick) and then worked into every gap with a rubber float.
The person applying it pushes the grout deep into the spaces so that there are no air pockets or gaps. After it sits for a bit, they wipe away the excess from the tile surface before it hardens completely. Then comes the waiting. Grout needs time to cure properly – up to a few days.
That’s not all, though. Here's something most people don't realize: grout is porous. That means it can absorb water, stains, and dirt unless it's sealed. A good sealer creates an invisible barrier that keeps moisture and grime out.
