Help with grouting and finish!

[mazza1978]

Hi guys ive recently grouted my bathroom floor using a ready mixed floor tile waterproof unibond grout which i bought from BQ! i spread the grout using my float then wiped off diagonally across tiles with my sponge but the finish now its dried is awful! Its really rough and bumpy! Is this due to the grout having sand in which causes the roughness etc and if so should i re grout and buy a different grout and which one??

Thanks

[kilty55]

i have used unibond grout just the once and yes its very sandy,if you want a smooth grout go for mapei or pci

[mazza1978]

Can you buy that in BQ or tile giant and is it ready mixed??

Thanks

[kilty55]

yes b and q do it but its called buildfix i beleive,,re named it for the diy market but its actually mapei,better oofff going to tile giant or a reputable tile shop to be honest and ask the assistants for a smooth floor wide joint grout thats flexible

[nybor62]

Can you buy that in BQ or tile giant and is it ready mixed??

Thanks

tile giant for mapei grout its not ready mixed and i would stay away from ready mixed grouts imo

[mazza1978]

only reason i say ready mixed as ive no mixing equipment plus too lazy to stand there for ages mixing!! LOL!!

[nybor62]

i like bal superflex wide joint just my preference

[united]

only reason i say ready mixed as ive no mixing equipment plus too lazy to stand there for ages mixing!! LOL!!

It takes 10 mins to mix at most and you only need a drill and small mixing paddle

[davy_G]

As the boys say get one you mix yourself, i wouldnt touch the premixed stuff.

Most floor grouts for wide joints and foot traffic have sand in. Its supposed to be there for durability. Check what width of joint you have, speak to a tile shop not a shed sales person as they will be able to sell you the correct gear. Its easy to mix and with it only being a bathroom floor you can knock it up by hand in a few minutes.

As you grout, take off as much as possible from the tile face, Let the grout dry a bit till it hazes on the tiles then sponge off with a well rung out sponge. Consider buying a washboy for a faster and better finish. It stops you pressing too hard and is alot quicker. Better finish IMO.

Good luck.

[Phil Hobson]

Good advice above, as always. You don't need a paddle mixer, hand mix has been around for thousands of years. They didn't have electricity when the pyramids were built, trust me I was there

[david campbell]

as above!
i always hand mix grout

[mazza1978]

It takes 10 mins to mix at most and you only need a drill and small mixing paddle

Will a small mixing paddle just fit onto my bog standard hand drill or would i need a better one?? Also ive noticed some of the tiles are uneven a bit! How does everyone solve this problem when grouting to hide this mistake??

Thanks

[mazza1978]

forgot also to ask to what constitency to make it up too? Is it a case of adding more powder until its quite a stiff mix?

[united]

Will a small mixing paddle just fit onto my bog standard hand drill or would i need a better one?? Also ive noticed some of the tiles are uneven a bit! How does everyone solve this problem when grouting to hide this mistake??

Thanks

Yes it will, or you can mix by hand like some have mentioned above

[david campbell]

don't make it too stiff you are looking for a nice creamy consistancy

[mazza1978]

Thanks for all the info guys!! Ive got my heavy duty grout removal tool which looks more like a stanley knife!! LOL so gonna give it a go! One final question is that some tiles arent laid even so how can i rectify this without relaying the tiles! Can i angle the grout in slightly and smooth off with a sponge in a certain direction? Not sure if im asking the impossible!!

Thanks

[kilty55]

if the tiles are laid badly im afraid grouting cant hide that