How to grout tiles

By Tom Drake | 31st July 2023 | 4 min read

Complete your tiling job with our guide to grouting tiles

Grouting the tiles is the final step when tiling a wall. This is a job which may seem daunting at first, but can be completed easily by a competent DIYer. In this guide, we take you through how you can master tile grouting to achieve a smooth and attractive finish.

Before you start:

Before you start grouting, we recommend laying down some dust sheets to protect your flooring, bathroom suite and furniture.

Choose your grout

Before starting you also need to choose the right grout for the job. There are a number of different grouts available designed for both dry and wet areas. You’ll also find grouts with anti mould properties and a variety of different colours. Take a look at our range to find the right grout for your wall.

Mapei Flexible Ivory Grout, 2.5kg

Mapei Flexcolour Ready mixed Grey Grout, 5kg

Mapei Limestone Flexible Grout, 5kg

Mapei Flexible Charcoal Grout, 2.5kg

How to grout tiles:

Equipment:

1. Mix the grout

You can use either powdered or ready mix grout for your tiles. If you’re using powdered grout, you’ll need to mix it with water in a bucket to create a creamy paste. Take care not to over-mix the grout as this can create air bubbles. Only mix as much grout as you’ll use in 30 minutes as it will start to dry out after this. For more information, refer to the instructions on your chosen grout.

2. Work grout into the joints

Next up, you’ll need to work the grout into the joints between your tiles using either a grout spreader or grout float. Grout spreaders are ideal for small areas such as splashbacks but if you’re grouting a large area, we recommend using a grout float. Use your float to work the grout into the joints in a diagonal motion. Use the edge of the float to scrape up any excess grout on the tiles and work it into the joints as you go. Continue working like this until you’ve grouted all the joints. The grout will start to harden after 20-30 minutes, so make sure you work at a steady pace. You may want to grout just one wall before going back and working on others.

3. Clean off excess grout with a tile sponge

Once you’ve worked the grout into all the joints, clean any excess grout off the surface of the tiles with a damp but not soaking tile sponge. Take care not to drag any grout out of the tiles as you go. If you do pull any grout out, you can either re-apply it with a grout spreader, or pop a small amount of grout in with your finger.

4. Use a grout finisher to finish the joints

Leave the grout to harden for around 20-30 minutes before using your grout finisher. Pull the rounded end of the grout finisher across the joints in an even, continuous motion to give the joints a smooth finish.

5. Clean powdery film

As the grout starts to dry, you’ll be left with a powdery film on top of your tiles. Wait a few hours for the joints to dry then use a soft, clean cloth to remove this film until you’re left with a clean surface.

If all went well you should now have beautifully grouted tiles. If you need to remove old tile grout before grouting your tiles, take a look at our guide to re-grouting tiles.