The sealer is designed to repel oil and water, which can lead to extensive damage in the grout over time. In places where moisture is common, such as the kitchen or bathroom, this type of protection can reduce the amount of maintenance your grout and tiles will need after extensive use. The sealer helps repel food, grease, and mildew, as well as mold to prevent ugly stains and damage from developing. Like most grout sealers, this one is available in several container sizes, including spray bottles. Start by mixing up your grout. Most come as a powder you mix with water; follow the manufacturer’s directions exactly—don’t add more or less water than called for. The Aqua Mix Sealer's Choice Gold takes the top spot for its natural looks and extensive protection. This product is a water-based sealer that provides ample protection over the entire surface, including grout and tiles. It also dries with a no-sheen finish for a natural, non-slippery look and feel. For ceramic tiles, this will provide additional protection against staining and wear, and it can be used with stones such as granite, marble, masonry, and limestone. Use this as a pre-grout sealer on your tiles for extra protection in areas such as bathrooms or kitchens. It's available in several different sizes from pints to gallons. Keep all your equipment close to the area that you are working on for ease. That way, you’re far less likely to tread grout or grout powder on the newly laid tiles. Work at a 45 to 90 degree angle with the grout float What grout you use for floor tiles will depend on the size of the joint. If you have small joints typically 2mm, 3mm or 5mm joints – the sizes typically found on walls –then you can use wall tile grout.

Finish by wiping across the tiles in a diagonal direction, rotating the sponge to its clean side after each swipe. Before moving onto a different section, rinse the sponge in water and wring it out until it’s almost dry . Don’t overwhelm yourself with grouting the whole floor immediately. Instead, work in small areas at a time and focus on making sure the grout fills the whole area between the tiles. It is best to start in an area furthest from the doorway and make your way out gradually. Now it’s time to start grouting your tiles. Place a small amount of grout onto the wall or floor tiles with a squeegee or a grout float , at a 45 ° angle . Spread the grout firmly into the joints, using upward and diagonal strokes in an S-like motion , until you have filled in the gaps between the tiles. While applying grout sealer isn’t difficult, it can be a bit tedious if you have a large area to cover. Still, it shouldn’t take more than a couple of hours at most to finish the task. Always read the specific product application directions before applying sealer, but as a general guideline this is how the job is done.With pre – mixed grout, simply stir the mixture in the tub until it has a smooth consistency, similar to toothpaste. As mentioned above, it's best to use a squeegee or grout spreader as this will give the best finish. 'Applygroutwith a suitablegroutfloat, working in all directions across the tile jointstoensure that thegroutcompletely fills the joints,' advises tile expert David Talbot. Top tip: If you’re working with a large surface area, opt for a professional float when it comes to choosing your grout tools . Work in 5 to 10 square-foot sections and avoid running the grout float in the same direction as the tile joints – as this will create uneven coverage.

In our opinion, it is imperative that professional tilers are 100% confident when grouting tiles before agreeing to lay a customer’s floor. As your grout begins to dry , you may see a powdery film forming on the tiles. Once the grout is completely dry, wipe this off with a soft, clean cloth .

So, how can professional tilers ensure that they apply the grout in the best way possible for a fantastic finish? It is best to choose a grout colour that suits the tiles for the project so that the grout blends into the floor pattern. This article is edited and updated by Michelle Ullman, the tool expert for The Spruce. She has extensive experience not only in writing about all things related to the home, but also in carrying out various DIY projects, including landscaping, painting, flooring, wallpapering, furniture makeovers, and simple repairs. The best way to start building your grouting arsenal is with a whole grouting kit that provides everything you need to get going. These kits will often come with an assortment of floats, containers, bags, and pads necessary to contain and spread the grout evenly onto the work surface. The Barwalt Ultra Grouting System takes the top spot since it is a reliable and affordable kit for beginners and advanced users alike. According to the company, this system can cut down your work time by as much as 50 percent; that's a lot of time you could be spending doing something else.