When we place tiles and flooring in our home there is a detail that we usually overlook. Either because we are ignorant or because we do not pay enough attention to it. We are talking about grouting mortars. This material is essential to be able to finish laying the tiles and flooring in our house. Sealing tile joints is a delicate task that requires a rigorous process so that the filling between joints is perfect and durable. In today’s post, we explain how to properly seal the joints between tiles.

Types of grouting mortars

Grouting mortars, better known as grouts, ensure water tightness and maintain the ceramic with a high-quality finish. To achieve a good sealing of joints, the most important thing is to purchase a good product. A quality, highly resistant grout that can fill and dry quickly and that adjusts to the color we need. We must keep in mind that, depending on the material we have chosen to place in our home, we must choose the most appropriate grout or grouting mortar. In general terms, we can distinguish four large groups of grouts.

Wide Joint Grout

Wide joint grout is a mortar for creating waterproof joints from 3 to 15 mm wide in ceramic tile coverings of any type and absorption. It is especially recommended for grouting mud or hydraulic effect floors that usually have a larger joint for a more perfect and realistic finish. Also for rustic tiles. We recommend the use of Weber-wide porcelain joint grout to properly seal the joints between tiles as it offers protection against rainwater, color stability against the sun, and resistance to frost.

Fine joint grout

Fine joint grout is a fine mortar for making joints up to 3 mm wide when making tiled floors or tiled coverings of any type. This type of grout is usually used on larger floors or tiles or with a more contemporary finish, such as cement-effect floors or rectified stone-effect tiles. Normally, the grout of the most similar color to the shade of the tile is chosen to cover the joints in the least visible way possible and create a feeling of continuity. We recommend using Weber’s fine porcelain joint to seal the joints between tiles well as it is easy to apply and clean. It also provides a very fine finish.

Premium grout

Premium grout is a flexible, mold and stain-resistant universal joint. This high-performance mortar offers resistance for making joints up to 15 mm wide in tiles of any format and absorption. Both indoors and outdoors, and is especially recommended for swimming pools, bathrooms, terraces, and facades. We recommend the use of Weber’s premium gasket, multi-purpose, universal, and with protection against microorganisms.

Within the premium grouts, we also find the ultra-thin flexible joint with silicone up to 6 mm. This ultra-thin flexible mortar with silicone additives is especially indicated for making joints up to 6 mm wide in tiles of any format and absorption. Just like regular premium grout, it can be used indoors and outdoors, especially in residential areas such as bathrooms, dining rooms, kitchens, swimming pools, terraces, and facades. We recommend using Weber’s premium thin joint to seal the joints between tiles well as it is pleasant to apply, prevents discoloration, and offers protection against microorganisms.

Epoxy grout

Epoxy grout is a type of epoxy joint that is resistant to stains and chemical attacks. This type of high-resistance epoxy mortar is very easy to apply and clean. It is specially designed for creating watertight joints between 2 and 15 mm wide between tiles, as well as for adhering ceramic pieces of any format and absorption in areas that require high resistance to chemical agents, both indoors and outdoors. We usually recommend the use of this type of grout in very humid areas such as the bathroom or shower area or, for example, in swimming pools. Specifically, Weber’s epoxy joint offers great results due to its easy cleaning, great durability, and high resistance to chemicals.

In Melbourne, many companies offer epoxy grouting services for kitchens and washrooms; you can choose the one that best fits your needs and budget by comparing their offerings and reviews.

Sealing and cleaning joints

Once you have purchased the grouting mortar or grout, it is time to start using it on the tiles or pavements. First of all, we must wait until the tiles or flooring are placed and the glue is completely dry. Once checked, we prepare the chosen grouting mortar and little by little we fill the sores or joints that remain between tile and tile, avoiding any gaps. Once we have covered the entire surface, we will press the grout into the placement joint so that it is completely compact and filled. And finally, we carefully remove the excess product.

Once this sealing process is finished, we move on to cleaning the grouting mortar or excess grout. To do this, we can simply use a sponge or a soft damp cloth, passing it over the edge of the joint. We recommend the use of Fila’s Fuganet, a specific joint cleaner that will help you thoroughly clean the joints of tiles, stoneware, or stoneware. Fugaproof is also a good product, also from Fila, which offers anti-dirt protection for the joints. This cleaner protects and sanitizes cementitious joints, facilitates cleaning and removal of dirt, and also prevents the absorption of water and organic stains.

Something also important to keep in mind when cleaning the grouting is that we must be careful not to press on the joint gap to avoid dragging the grouting mortar and leaving empty gaps. Once this entire process is finished, the ideal is to let it dry completely for at least 24 hours.

Repair joints between tiles

Over time, the joints between tiles or flooring can deteriorate, especially in bathroom or kitchen areas. Sometimes, because they are dirty and dark. Other times they are emptied and gaps are created where there is no grout.

This problem of having deteriorated tile joints is not only aesthetic but also health-related. This is because sometimes when there are gaps in the joints, we can find that small bugs come out through them. Therefore, it is important that, when cleaning the joints, we avoid rubbing with rough or sharp materials so as not to form these annoying holes.

If the joint already has these gaps, the only possible solution is to replace it. Luckily, fixing the joints is not complicated. We only have to prepare the grouting mortar again and grout the empty areas of the joints between tiles or pavements. To do this we must follow the process indicated in the sealing and cleaning of joints section.

Joint maintenance

To keep your joints between tiles and floors in perfect condition for longer, we recommend that you do not use sandpaper or metal sponges. Although this is the quickest way to clean the grout, it is also the best way to scratch and remove the glaze from the tiles. In addition to emptying the joints, forming the much-feared gaps that we mentioned. It is best to clean the tiles with a cloth moistened with water and neutral soap. For their part, floors can also be cleaned with a mop dipped in water with neutral soap or floor cleaner.

As always, we advise against the use of strong and abrasive products such as bleach that deteriorate the material over time. In case there are areas where the joints are dirtier, for example in humid areas, a toothbrush can be used for additional cleaning in these specific areas.

If the dirt has become embedded in the joint and does not come out in any way, it is best to proceed to repair it by removing all the grout and re-grouting the tile or pavement. To do this, you can use a fine punch or a flat-head screwdriver to remove all the remains. Once the entire surface is cleaned, we proceed to grout the entire surface with the help of a trowel or trowel and then clean the excess with a sponge or damp cloth.

We can also choose to seal the joints little by little with the help of a small spatula or with our fingers. Once dry, you have to clean the excess with a damp cloth or sponge. This second way is cleaner but slower than the first option. Although it represents savings in material and, for those who are not experts, it may be easier than traditional joint grouting.