Whether you want to inject some new life into a kitchen or replace the floor in a bathroom, tiles can be a great way to add character to your next renovation project. From small subways and mosaic tiles to large ceramic tiles, there are countless designs and styles to choose from that look incredible in all sorts of environments.

Of course, grouting is a crucial part of laying new tiles – a skill that's pretty easy to master but just as easy to get wrong. Grouting tiles correctly will ensure a strong seal, increased water resistance, and protection from dirt, all necessary to achieve a professional finish. Some grouts, such as Forever White Powder Wall Tile Grout also contain a fungicide to combat mould growth and PVA for increased adhesion.

This blog post shares a step-by-step guide to successfully grouting floor and wall tiles.

What You Will Need:

  • Grout Powder
  • Rubber Grout Float
  • Dust Sheets
  • Masking Tape
  • Caulk
  • Mixing Paddle
  • Sponge
  • Empty Bucket
  • Bucket Of Water
  • Safety Glasses
  • Sika Wonder Wipes
  • Micro Fibre Cloth
Tiles in a bathroom

Step 1: Prepare your work area

The first step to grouting tiles is to prepare your work area. If you're working on wall tiles, we recommend laying some dust sheets on the floor and securing them with masking tape before doing anything else. This will reduce mess and means that you won't need to spend as much time cleaning up after you've finished.

In addition, make sure that you're wearing any appropriate health and safety equipment; for example, safety glasses can be used to avoid excess grout flicking into your eyes.

You may also want to have your handy Sika Wonder Wipes to minimise time cleaning your hands and tools afterwards.

Step 2: Mix your grout

Different products have different setting times, so reading the instructions before mixing the grout is essential.

  • Pour enough grout powder to last 30 minutes into an empty bucket – any more than this, and the mixture could dry out.
  • Before adding the correct amount of water, the grout should have a consistency similar to clotted cream.
  • Make sure to add more water or powder if it seems too hard or soft.
    Leave the mixture to sit for 10 minutes before using it.
  • Don't forget to continue mixing it every 15 minutes or so to stop it from drying out.
Step 3: Spread your grout

Now, it's time to apply the grout to your surface. We recommend testing the grout on a small section of tiles first to check its compatibility.

If you discover that you've used the wrong type of grout after finishing the entire job, then removing the grout and starting again can be a tedious process.

Pro tip: it can help to split your job into manageable sections to ensure the grout doesn't dry out; 1m by 1m sections are usually a good size.

Next, scoop up a small amount of the grout mixture using a rubber float, metal floats can damage the tiles.

Spread it over the joints between tiles.

  • Angle the float at 45 degrees to get the mixture between the tiles.
  • You can also use the rounded corner of the float to compress the grout into the joints; if it's not compact, the grout won't hold its strength.
  • Continue to add more grout until all the joints have been filled.
  • It's important to note that grout should only go between two sets of tiles.
  • Any joints between tiles and another surface should be left empty as these can be caulked later.
Grout being applied to wall tiles

Step 4: Remove excess grout
  • Next, use the rubber float to remove any excess grout from the tiles.
  • Angling the float at 90 degrees can make this task easier.
  • Try not to spend too much time on this, as you'll have to clean it up again later anyway.
Grout being applied to wall tiles

Step 5: Shape your grout
  • When shaping your grout, whether with the rounded corner of the float or the back of a toothbrush, be cautious.
  • This step is crucial for compressing the grout and ensuring it doesn't weaken or crack later.
  • Take care not to remove too much grout during this process.
Step 6: Wipe off excess grout
  • Approximately 30 minutes after applying the grout.
  • Fill an empty bucket with water and dip the sponge into it.
  • Then, apply the sponge to the tiles and wipe off any excess grout.
  • It's important to focus on the surface of the tiles rather than the joints.
  • If possible, try to use a hydrophilic sponge for this task, as these are ideal for delicate surfaces.
Step 7: Clean the tiles

Once you've removed any excess grout with a wet sponge, we recommend leaving your tiles to dry for another 30 minutes.

By this time, you may notice a thin layer of powder on the tiles; use a microfiber cloth to buff the tiles and remove this powder, leaving a clean, shiny finish.

Step 8: Seal adjacent joints

The final step is to caulk any leftover joints between tiles and other surfaces, e.g., the space between the tiles and the bathtub.

Depending on your project, there's a wide range of caulks to choose from; Forever White is ideal for bathroom environments, and Caulk Once or Everflex 125 One Hour Caulk are ideal for most other requirements.

Man applying Forever White sealant around a bath

So there you have it, everything you need to know to achieve the perfect grout on wall or floor tiles.

Why not check out some of our other handy guides, such as how to achieve the perfect patio or how to install wood flooring?

Do you have your own tips for grouting tiles? We'd love to hear them! Share your insights with us on X or Facebook and be part of our growing community of home improvement enthusiasts.