Some Tips for New Grout Application

1. Grout joints must be clean and free of standing water, dust, dirt, and foreign matter. Remove excess adhesive or mortar from the joint area so that 2/3 of the depth of the tile is left available for grouting.
2. Before mixing the grout with water, dry-blend the product to avoid color variations in the finished grout, which may arise from pigment settling during shipment. If two or more bags are to be used, all of the contents should be dry-blended together.
3. When mixing grout, it might be necessary to mix partial bags. In this situation, a 3-to-1 ratio of powder to water can be mixed by volume. When using this ratio, keep in mind that it is a starting point: You might need to use slightly more or less powder or water in order to fine-tune the consistency of the mixture. Use cold water for mixing.
4. Avoid prolonged mixing, which will trap air and shorten the pot life.
5. To aid in spreading the grout, slightly moisten the tile or stone surface with a damp sponge just before application. Do not flood the tiles or allow water to stand in the ungrouted joint areas.
6. Spread grout immediately into the joints with a rubber grout float. Make sure that all joints are well-compacted and free of voids and gaps.
7. Some stiffening may occur before all material is used (usually within about 1 hour at room temperature). If this occurs, simply remix but do not add more liquid.
8. For full and color-consistent grout joints, allow the grout to set for typically 15 to 30 minutes at 73°F (23°C) before cleaning. The time before cleaning depends on the temperature, humidity, and absorption of the tile/stone. When highly absorptive tile such as nonvitreous wall tile is grouted, the grout requires less setting time (about 5 to 10 minutes) before initial cleaning.
9. Use two buckets of cleaning water: One for rinsing the majority of the grout residue from the grout sponge, and one for moistening the sponge in clean water. Change the water in the buckets frequently to help limit the amount of haze that forms on the tile or stone surface
10. To prevent discoloration and soft/powdery joints, avoid cleaning with excessive water.
11. Grout must be cured for at least 24 hours before regular cleaning. When installing in submerged job sites (swimming pools, spas, water features, and fountains), allow 72 hours of curing.
12. Some types of glass, glazed ceramic tiles, marble, granite, and marble agglomerates can be permanently stained, scratched, dulled, or damaged when grouted with pigmented grout or sanded grout formulas.