How to erase the seams on the tile on the floor: expert advice

Ceramic tiles, of course, is an excellent and practical floor covering. It is especially good in rooms exposed to moisture, and places characterized by high traffic. That is why such floors are most popular in many offices and institutions. Our apartments are not an exception. Tiles on the floor today can be found not only in bathrooms and kitchens and hallways, but sometimes even in the living rooms. Benefit in the construction market, you can find a wide range of this material, sometimes capable of simulating virtually any surface. True, this flooring will be beautiful only if it turns out correctly and accurately to lay it. And an important role in this procedure is played by the final stage - grouting of tile joints on the floor. It is on how well this is done, and the visual effect produced by the coating will depend.

What rubs the seams between the tiles on the floor, how correctly and why do you need to do this? We will answer all of these questions in our review.

What is the seams and why should they be rubbed

During the laying of ceramic tiles, masters lay between the elements special crosses, which contribute to the formation of seams - the same distance between each tile. And they are needed in order, first, the facing material in the end looked neat and aesthetic. In addition, not always laying is carried out on a solid foundation, sometimes under the tile is the floor, which can be subjected to shrinkage processes. And if you do not leave these small distances, then the ceramic coating can simply crack under the influence of the movements of the same concrete slab underneath it. However, if you leave the stitches unfilled, then in time they will simply be clogged with dirt, which is unlikely to contribute to a favorable impression of sex. And in those rooms where there is moisture, in the seams and does begin to form mold. And so that such problems do not arise, the seam between the tiles is filled with special mixtures - grouts.

What are grouts

Before you look for information on how to clean the seams on the tile on the floor correctly, you need to familiarize yourself with the types of this grout. Professionals call it still fugue. The fact is that not all of the materials presented in the stores are suitable for a particular room. All trowelling compounds are classified into species. There are a lot of them, but it is enough for a layman to know only that there are fugues made on the basis of cement, made on the basis of epoxy resin and combined, called epoxy-cement ones.

The first belong to the category of the most simple and are suitable for use only in those rooms in which the humidity is practically absent. If we take into account the fact that it is practically impossible to wash floors, then this option can not be considered at all. That is grouting the seams of ceramic tiles on the floor with a cement fugue is undesirable.

Epoxy grouts are the most qualitative and suitable for any coating in any room, because they have high strength characteristics and are moisture-resistant. However, they have one significant drawback. They are quite expensive. In addition, they are suitable for filling joints, the width of which is not less than four millimeters, and it is quite difficult to work with them to a layman. Therefore, it is recommended that the homeowner pay attention to the intermediate version, which is ideal for flooring not only in residential apartments, but also in bathrooms and kitchens. Simply put, cement-epoxy fugue is considered to be a universal option for the house, since it is possible to rub stitches on the tiles on the floor in almost any room.

How to choose your "own" grout

First of all you need to read what is written on the package. The manufacturer always indicates the optimal width of the seams, in which it is rational to use this or that fugue. Accordingly, you need to know your own sizes. There are also universal grouts. They can be applied on a floor covering, the width of seams of which is from two to twenty two millimeters.

Then, choosing the desired composition, pay attention to its color. The range of shades in the store is presented in a large assortment, however you need to know some basic rules. For example, the fact that contrasting grout can only be used if you are sure that your tile is laid perfectly. Typically, the best option is to choose a tone that is as close to the color of the tile. If the latter has a different shade, then you can take a fugu of the same color as it.

Stages of the process

Before you erase the seams on the tile on the floor, you must first wait a day after laying the tile. This time you can just spend on buying a fugue and the right tools. The process of grouting itself consists of several stages. This: preparation of the substrate, dilution of the trowelling compound (unless, of course, you have purchased it already ready, which, by the way, is quite expensive), application of mortar to seams, removal of surplus and final cleaning.

What you will need to have a master for the grouting procedure

A special inventory and tools will not be required, but nevertheless some preparation will still have to be prepared. Naturally, the mixture itself should be purchased directly. By the way, it can be in the form of a powder, and can be sold and already ready for use. In principle, the second option is better in all respects, since rubbing the seams on the tile on the floor with this composition is much easier, if only because it already has the right consistency. The latter is achieved by an unskilled master who performs this procedure for the first time, with independent mixing it is quite difficult at the first attempt.

Nevertheless, there is such a fugue and its shortcomings. And the main among them, except for the above mentioned cost, is that such a grout is not subject to long-term storage. That is, the remains of an expensive mixture are likely to be discarded. So experts recommend that beginning masters still purchase dry grouts. And if this is the case, you need to have at hand in this case also a container for breeding. You will also need a trowel, a special spatula (rubber), a sponge foam and a clean rag, a bucket for water, gloves and a grater is an abrasive.

Preparation

Tile floors should be carefully cleaned of tile glue, if any, as well as dirt and dust. It does not hurt also to walk first with a vacuum cleaner, and then brush at the seams. Then you need to take a sponge and moisten them with water. Then you can proceed to the grout dilution.

How to build a fugu

First, experts recommend that you read the instructions carefully. In spite of the fact that the grouting procedure, in principle, is the same, every manufacturer can still have its own nuances. Therefore, do not be lazy and carefully study what is written on the label. Then take three quarters of the water from the specified on the packaging norm and pour a fugue into it. Stir thoroughly. And then slowly add water until the solution is the right consistency. After 10 minutes you can start working. Carry the grout only in gloves, as the mixture is fully capable of wrinkling the skin of the hands with prolonged contact.

Advice from specialists! Since the novice master does not yet have the necessary skills, and the grout dries up within just a few hours, it is better not to dilute the entire mixture at once. Divide the contents of the package into two parts. And work out first one, and then another. As for the amount of water needed for mixing, it also needs to be divided by half.

We erase the seams of tile on the floor

The most common method is using a rubber spatula. Since it will not be necessary to work all over the whole territory, but to process the tiles literally by a square meter, experts recommend immediately before the process itself to wet a couple of "squares" with water. Generally professionals process 2-3 square meters. M minutes in twenty. A beginner master will not be able to reach this speed, but this is not so important either. The main thing here is the accuracy and careful observance of the technology. Well, the fact that you finish the work for an hour or two later, does not matter much.

So, how to properly tile the tile? Apply fugue to the rubber spatula and start filling the seams with diagonal movements. And do not just blur on top, and try to squeeze the composition as much as possible so that it fills the seam completely. Remove surplus with the same spatula. At the same time, make sure that the filled joint coincides with the level of the tile. That is, if there are any depressions or emptiness, then immediately add fugue to it. Since rubbing the tiles on the floor should be done in stages, work this way for about half an hour. After that, proceed to cleaning out the zaghoned area.

To do this, arm yourself with a bucket of water and a sponge. Constantly wetting it and squeezing it well, pass through the foam rubber all over the surface, making movements in a circle. Your goal - to remove excess from the tile and seams. If there will be a divorce on the tile - it's not scary. They will be removed during the final cleaning. Now the main thing is not to leave pieces of dried fugue on ceramics. Remove it then will not be so easy. After having processed one site, proceed to the next. And so on, until all the stitches are stuck.

Final processing

In a day you can start correction. It may well be that in some places the seams have turned out to be not quite the same. That is, there are surpluses. Specialists recommend in this case to take either an abrasive sponge or a grater and walk through them at all seams, holding the tool at the same angle. Simply put, polish them. After that, the dry residue should be vacuumed, and then again to start the wet cleaning. That is, thoroughly wash the foam with sponge seams and tiles, periodically changing the dirty water. After the floor has dried, stains can remain on it. Specialists recommend in this case not to wash it a hundred times, but simply diligently scrub with a dry rag. This procedure can be considered complete.

How to tile the tile in the bathroom on the floor

Just like in any other room. Except that in this case, experts recommend adding one more step - sealing the seams with a sealant. After all, the bathroom, like no other, is exposed to moisture. And quite often the seams on the floor, and on the walls in it are blackened from the formed mold. And so that this does not happen, buy a special makeup-sealant. It is a liquid. Apply it should be three days after grouting (you need to let the fugue dry). Take a thin brush for drawing and carefully lubricate it with the composition of the seams.

Conclusion

We tried to talk as much as possible about how to mop the tiles on the floor. And at the same time shared the secrets of experienced masters and brought the recommendations of specialists. We hope, now you will not have any difficulties with trowelling of tile seams.