Applying grout perfectly creates gorgeous tile floors, walls and ceilings for your construction business customers. Basic grouting equipment -- water, grout, grout removal tools, clean-up equipment, a grout mixer, grout sealant and a coating to keep your tiles free of grout as you work -- when used professionally, can yield great results that impress your customers.
If you run a construction business, applying tile grout deftly is essential, since customers often notice the look of the grout between their tiles. While customers may have no opinion about grout before you start tiling, they will likely be very vocal about work they do not like. Applying grout well is as essential as applying ceramic tiles evenly. In fact, applying grout well can often make tiles look better.
To apply tile grout, you need:
1. Tools designed for properly mixing grout;
2. High quality grout for maximum performance and longevity;
3. The right grout for residential and commercial jobs.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Get the supplies you need to properly mix grout
Whether you're working on a residential or commercial property, you need a good grout mixer to do the job right. Hand mixers are portable, relatively easy to operate and are ideal for small jobs. Large grout mixers are quite expensive and bulky, but are your best bet for substantial projects.
I recommend: Chem Grout sells electric hand grout mixers great for residential grouting projects. In addition to electic grout mixers,
CS Unitec offers pneumatic grout mixers for safe use around water and with certain materials, like concrete and epoxy.
Geo Solutions features industrial grout mixers perfect for large commercial jobs.
Apply epoxy grout for added durability
Epoxy grout is made from resin and hardener, which makes it resistant to stains and chemicals and, therefore, ideal for backsplashes, floors and kitchen counters. Today's epoxy grout includes detergents, so cleanup is easy. Epoxy grout works great in any area where hardness, durability and stain resistance are important.
I recommend: Bostik manufactures epoxy grout products compatible with numerous surfaces, like travertine, slate and granite.
Epoxy.com has a number of epoxy grouts that can stand up to tough stains and spills.
Choose cement-based grout for larger industrial jobs
Cement-based grout, a mixture of fine sand and water, is durable and less expensive than epoxy grout. This utilitarian grout works great in commercial and industrial applications and holds up indoors and outdoors.
I recommend: Unifire sells several high quality cement-based grouts that can stand up to any job.
W.W. Henry offers cement-based grouts in a variety of neutral shades.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- Grout manufacturers produce tile grout in a rainbow of colors and your client can select either a color similar to his tiles or a contrasting color. If your client decides on a matching color, keep in mind that you might need grout colorant to get the perfect shade.
- When mixing the grout, you can check for perfect consistency by pushing a float or other piece of grouting equipment into the mixture. If the grout forms a dent and then slowly fills again, you have the right texture. If, as you work, your grout dries up, make a fresh batch. Adding water to hardened grout will only dilute the mixture and make the final product prone to cracking.
The official source of Grout is the Grout page at Business.com
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