Please help........

[Forest5]

I've tried to grout my floor tiles 3 time now and it's not working out for me.

The first time i used wall grout (duh) and it started to crack

The second time i used B&Q ready mixed (flexible) white floor tile grout 3.75kg and got it to wet, as i was trying to get rid of the excess and the grout turned sandy.

The third and final time i used the same stuff but only used a damp sponge to wipe the excess off and it was not as bad as the first attempt but it was not white (like it said on the tub) and started to crack.

My tiles have been 'stuck' down ok and everything is fine except for the grout, i'm sick of scapping it up.


Please help, i've removed all the old grout and am taking the 'white' grout back to B&Q. Also i have brought a sealer (Spray) for the grout when it is done. I'm NO expert, but i believe i can do it i just need to know what product.

Hope you can help

[Forest5]

I've tried to grout my floor tiles 3 time now and it's not working out for me.

The first time i used wall grout (duh) and it started to crack

The second time i used B&Q ready mixed (flexible) white floor tile grout 3.75kg and got it to wet, as i was trying to get rid of the excess and the grout turned sandy.

The third and final time i used the same stuff but only used a damp sponge to wipe the excess off and it was not as bad as the first attempt but it was not white (like it said on the tub) and started to crack.

My tiles have been 'stuck' down ok and everything is fine except for the grout, i'm sick of scapping it up.


Please help, i've removed all the old grout and am taking the 'white' grout back to B&Q. Also i have brought a sealer (Spray) for the grout when it is done. I'm NO expert, but i believe i can do it i just need to know what product.

Hope you can help

[bobbynz]

Hi there Forest,
Just ask the tile shop you got the tiles from for a grout to use on floors or any other reputable Tile shop, it will also depend on the joint size and the area or conditions the floor will be exposed to, you should have about 3mm then use a fine textured grout otherwise if greater than 3mm then a good sanded grout will be fine.
But if whatever grout you have already tried has gone hard but cracked, it may have cracked becaused you have used too much water in the grout and/or there is too much deflection in the floor. How extensive is the cracking? Was the hardened grout easy to rake out i.e. soft and chalky?
Oh and btw

[Forest5]

Hi Bobbyynz

Thanks for the reply.

The lastest one i did it was soft and chalky, but think thats cause i did it last night. Think the space is only just a bit bigger than 3mm.

The grout was ready made, so dont think too much water was the issue, may be wrong though lol.

I have not got a clue, but it is really bugging me, cause i know i can do it. Think the ready made stuff i got is rubbish. Just want flexible floor tile grout that is actually white lol.

Thanks again for the advice

[Forest5]

Think i may just scape out what's left of the grout and clean all the tiles; and then get some grout you have to mix (after looking at some reviews) and get someone in to do it :-(

[Forest5]

ohhh the cracking.....there was a slight line going down the middle of the grout.

[bobbynz]

I've never used ready mixed grout but one of the others might know about the stuff you have used. Check the use by date. Have you checked for any deflection i.e up and down movement in the floor? what sort of tiles are they, Porcelain?
just seen your next post, yes if it were me i'd go get some powdered grout and mix but you should give it a go yourself if you want to.
oh the crack a line in the grout, it could just be a bit of shrinkage, in that case just take your time and firstly read the instructions on the bagged grout and get the mixing right start by grouting a small area first and let the grout firm up a bit then if it appears to be some shrinkage then go over again with grout and let it firm a little before washing, It will depend on the type of tile as to how long b4 washing off. Let that dry till the next day and if its a success then get on with the rest of the floor.
It might take you some time to get it right but it will be worth it

[bobbynz]

Oh and have a think about where the floor is and the conditions it will be subject to as white grout on a floor will get discoloured quickly and a pain to keep clean.

[Forest5]

Again...thanks.

The floor is solid, that is, those tiles are not moving anytime soon lol.

So with the little crack i can just put a bit more on top? Gonna clean them and I may just leave it for someone else, done it 3 times now and its bugging me, think I'll cry if it did not work out the 4th time

[bobbynz]

I wouldn't grout over top as the two lots of grout wont bond properly, you will unfortunately have to cut out the grout, should still be fairly chalky so just use a stanley knife to cut it out and vacuum the joints thoroughly just be carefull not to chip the edges.
If you use the bagged grout you have, just follow my advice about making sure the grout lines are full and allowing to firm up before washing off, i assume you know about washing grout etc, the main thing is to get all those joints full as possible and evenly filled, when washing wiping the face of the tiles is easy. When it starts to dry there will be a bit of grout haze/ residue from the washing water, dont worry as long as its not too heavy it will wipe off with a dry sponge or rag when it has hardened.
You can do it Forest

[Del W]

Use a flexible grout that you mix with water.Follow mixing instructions on the bag.Tile giant do a good range.Remove excess grout with a damp sponge.

[pjc]

can i ask how have you laid your tiles with what and onto ?

[Rich]

Did you lay the tiles yourself? And what have to tiles been fixed onto (screed, timber)? It does sound like a pain in the backside, get yourself some decent grout (powder) and follow the instructions on the bag. Below is a link to a post I put up a while ago on grouting, it might help you out a little bit.

Grouting...

[whitebeam]

Are they ceramic tiles with an absorbant biscuit backing

[bobbynz]

Are they ceramic tiles with an absorbant biscuit backing

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing, sounds like shrinkage. Hope he hasnt put wall tiles down.