Grouting metro tiles

[tapper]

Morning All,

Just finished a average size bathroom with metro tiles and light grey grout, I am happy with the job but I am concerned how long it took to grout almost 2 days, this seems far to much time, can I speed things up? Any ideas welcome.

Thanks

 

[Dumbo]

They're rubbish to grout . Basically more practice , get it off the tile sooner as being ceramic the grout firms up quickly, some I know use two buckets for cleaning up one to get the worst off the another for a better clean , I've never found the need

 

[tapper]

They're rubbish to grout . Basically more practice , get it off the tile sooner as being ceramic the grout firms up quickly, some I know use two buckets for cleaning up one to get the worst off the another for a better clean , I've never found the need

Cheers for reply.

I make the grout a bit thicker and basically cover a metre, then sponge the lines, 10 mins after that go back and clean the rest, sort of cleans as I go, but I think this is why it takes so long, I've been told it's a 3 hour ish job, so to take nearly 2 days is strange.

 

[Dumbo]

Don't ever worry about how long something takes. . It is what it is . Get it right then figure what works for you to make it quicker while still getting right . Also some of these guys have a rubbish finish , there is always someone faster , but I do not see the need to make it thicker than you would normally use as the tiles draw the moisture.

 

[tapper]

Don't ever worry about how long something takes. . It is what it is . Get it right then figure what works for you to make it quicker while still getting right . Also some of these guys have a rubbish finish , there is always someone faster , but I do not see the need to make it thicker than you would normally use as the tiles draw the moisture.

Maybe I need to get away from that, my thinking was if it's a bit thicker going in the lines as I sponge straight away the dampness of the sponge will correct it to a good consistency. I worry more for the customer as it looks like I'm hanging the job out.

Cheers

 

[acaciaguy]

Don't ever worry about how long something takes. . It is what it is . Get it right then figure what works for you to make it quicker while still getting right . Also some of these guys have a rubbish finish , there is always someone faster , but I do not see the need to make it thicker than you would normally use as the tiles draw the moisture.

Couldn’t agree more. It takes you as long as it takes you. A better finish is worth the time. You will get quicker. But time invested beats a quick crap job. Good tiling can be ruined by bad grouting. Tiling is a finishing trade and grouting is (along with sealant) the finishing of the finishing.

I should add I do. Lot of metros and I do quite like them. But grouting is obviously harder than larger tiles.

 

[tapper]

Thanks for your comments, I do totally understand and agree with getting it correct and not rushing, I wouldn't rush it through anyway it's more to do with pricing/timing, I am losing days because of my pace. Can either of you guys tell me how long you would take to grout white metros with grey grout on say a 2 squared flat wall, just so I know where I should be aiming.

Cheers

 

[Boggs]

I will time myself later this week, only thing is I have light grey metros with white grout.

 

[tapper]

I will time myself later this week, only thing is I have light grey metros with white grout.

That will still work Boggs, it'll still have to be as tidy as possible because of the colour contrast. Nice one thanks

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Allow at the most 4 hours for an average size bathroom.
If you’ve spent 6 months as an apprentice grouting skilled tilers work then that’s the benchmark to aim for.
Are you running a rake tool through the joint before washing off?

 

[acaciaguy]

what tool do you use /recommend John?

 

[tapper]

Allow at the most 4 hours for an average size bathroom.
If you’ve spent 6 months as an apprentice grouting skilled tilers work then that’s the benchmark to aim for.
Are you running a rake tool through the joint before washing off?

Hi John,

It takes me 12ish hours, I dont use a rake tool John, I was taught to use grout float then sponge float. I have got rid of the sponge float recently as I feel I get a better finish with a normal hard sponge and it seems to really push the grout in when cleaning off.

Cheers for the reply

 

[Time's Ran Out]

@tapper - no no no!
Get yourself an American squeegee

to put the grout on with, taking as much off the face of the tiles as possible. Use a rounded end stick, similar to a drumstick


when the grout has ‘taken up’ take out the semi firm grout by pushing the drumstick through the joint up and across.
Then using a decent sponge gently wash over the face of the tile rinsing often.
A quick clean wash at the end of each wall when surface is dry and smooth the wet/ now dry joint with your finger.

45 years and the method never changes.

Jobs a good one!

 

[tapper]

Cheers John, I'll give it a go not sure I'll be any quicker though.

 

[acaciaguy]

Drum sticks are great. You get a nice finish

 

[Brian the Tile]

Allow at the most 4 hours for an average size bathroom.
If you’ve spent 6 months as an apprentice grouting skilled tilers work then that’s the benchmark to aim for.
Are you running a rake tool through the joint before washing off?

Thats the one thing i always do when grouting any wall tiles point the joints gives a nice smooth even joint

 

[Qwerty]

It's the one thing I've never done! Honestly, never done it and never needed to. Modern grouts just dont require it.

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Never?
We are talking Metros in this thread!

 

[Qwerty]

Never?
We are talking Metros in this thread!

No, never

 

[Pauly tiler]

You could stick the joints first, a rarely seen process in the 21st century, it helps. Also the growth of rapid grouts like mapei etc are unnecessary with a ceramic generally, a standard type like Bal wall would be easier. Bring back the 80s, think of all the pegs you could get in those side satchel pockets.

Pauly