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How to Grout Terra Cotta Tile
- 1). Allow the tile adhesive to cure for a minimum of 24 hours.
- 2). Use a spacer puller or needle nose pliers to remove the plastic spacers from in between the tiles.
- 3). Brush free any loose adhesive in the joints, and vacuum all debris from the surface. Wear your knee pads and gloves for safety and protection.
- 4). Mix the grout according to the manufacturer's instructions. The experts at hammerzone.com recommend sanded grout for floors and other applications where there is a wide grout seam between tiles. Non-sanded grout is used when tiles fit very tightly together such as in a shower stall.
- 5). Lightly mist your working space with water from the spray bottle. A thin layer of water will help the grout move over the tiles more easily. Scoop approximately 1 to 2 qts. of grout onto the tile. Hold your grout float at a 45-degree angle, and spread the grout over the tiles in a sweeping motion. Press the grout into the tile joints until they are completely filled.
- 6). Change the angle of your grout float to 90 degrees, and slide it over the tiles in a diagonal direction to remove excess grout.
- 7). Allow the grout to harden for approximately 20 minutes. Use a clean, wet sponge to remove even more excess grout. Carefully smooth out the grout lines with the moist sponge as you clean. Keep a bucket of clean water nearby, and rinse your sponge often. Change the water frequently.
- 8). Use a dry, soft cloth to clean the remaining haze from the tiles after the grout has hardened. This may take 2 to 24 hours depending on the type of grout used and your environmental conditions.
- 9). Seal the completely dried grout with a commercial sealer. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and use a small paint brush for easy application.
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