Professional Tile Tools: All About the Grout

There is a lot more to doing a successful tile project than professional grade tile tools.  You have some other material that is often overlooked:  Your grout.

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Grout and Tile Tools

First off, what is grout? According to the site WIKIPEDIA.ORG: "Grout is a construction material used to embed rebars in masonry walls, connect sections of pre-cast concrete, fill voids, and seal joints (like those between tiles). Grout is generally a mixture of water, cement, sand, often color tint, and sometimes fine gravel (if it is being used to fill the cores of concrete blocks). It is applied as a thick emulsion and hardens over time, much like its close relative mortar.[1] Unlike other structural pastes such as plaster or joint compound, grout, when mixed and applied correctly, creates a waterproof seal. Main varieties include: tiling grout (either urethane, cement-based or epoxy), flooring grout, resin grout, non-shrink grout, structural grout and thixotropic grout. Structural grout is often used in reinforced masonry to fill voids in masonry housing reinforcing steel, securing the steel in place and bonding it to the masonry.[1] Non-shrink grout is used beneath metal bearing plates to ensure a consistent bearing surface between the plate and its substrate. Portland cement-based grouts come in different varieties depending on the particle size of the ground clinker used to make the cement, with a standard size of around 15 microns, microfine at around 6-10 microns, and ultrafine below 5 microns, with the ability of the final grout to penetrate a fissure largely dependent on this particle size (smaller size equates to greater penetration).[2] Because these grouts depend on the presence of sand for their basic strength, they are often somewhat gritty when finally cured and hardened. Tiling grout is often used to fill the spaces between tiles or mosaics, and to secure tile to its base. Although ungrouted mosaics do exist, most have grout between the tesserae. Tiling grout is also cement-based, and comes in sanded as well as unsanded varieties. The sanded variety contains finely ground silica sand; unsanded is finer and produces a non-gritty final surface. They are often enhanced with polymers and/ or latex. There are several tools associated with applying and removal of grout such as: grout saw or grout scraper a manual tool for removal of old and discolored grout. The blade is usually composed of tungsten carbide. grout float a trowel-like tool for smoothing the surface of a grout line, typically made of rubber or soft plastic. grout sealer a water-based or solvent-based sealant[3] applied over dried grout that resists water, oil, and acid-based contaminants. Dremel grout attachment an attachment guide used in a die grinder for faster removal of old grout than a standard grout saw. Pointing Trowel Used for applying grout in flagstone, and other stone works." [READ SOURCE]

Where Can I Find Tools to Work on Grout? 

While finding tools for grout is fairly easy, there is one piece of advice we would like to offer.  Make sure you get professional grade tile tools for any tile project.  Why?  Well, it is the difference between a fiasco and a well done tile project. 


How can the right tools help.  For one durability.  They're not going to break easily.  You also get the best your money can buy. 

So make sure when you buy, you always buy professional grade tile tools


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Tiling Projects and Professional Grade Tile Tools

Tile tools are just one part of a good tile project.  There are also best practices that you should follow.

A straight edge is one of the tile tools you'll need
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Tile Installation Tips

First off, your grout or thin-set should always be smooth, without any lumps.  If your base is lumpy, then it can create gaps and bumps under the tile, which can cause areas of greater or lesser stress.  The more foot traffic you have on your tile, the more likely it is to get damaged.  When you're mixing your thin-set or your grout, wait a bit while you're stirring with the tile tools you're going to be using for the project.  This will allow the mixture to be lump-free.  On the subject of lumps and smoothness, make sure that your floor is flat.

If  your floor has waves or other areas where it is uneven, then you're going to have to work a lot harder to get each individual tile flush with the other tile, even with the right tile tools.  Lippage is usually a result, which makes your floor uneven.  Check your floors with a 4 foot long straight edge or level.  Any areas that are 1/4" or deeper should be filled in with thin-set.   

Self Leveling Compound and Tile Tools

After you've used your straight edge, it's time to think about ways to make your tile project easier.  Never underestimate the power of self-leveling compound in fixing uneven floors.  It comes in powder form and is mixed with water.  However, be aware that it is not cheap.  It can run as much as two dollars a square foot.  Some self-leveling compounds require that you use tile tools such as metal or plastic lathes. While self-leveling compound works rather well, make sure that you're aware of some things first.

Self-leveling compounds seep into holes and cracks in the floor, no matter how tiny they are.  You could find yourself facing craters and pockmarks in the surface.  Caulk every single gap and hole before you put it down.  Next, work fast, and do it with two or more people.  Self-leveling compound starts to harden within 30 minutes. 

This may sound like a no-brainer, but in addition to the right tile tools, make sure that you have supplies in excess of your tile project.  In other words, make sure you have more than enough tile, grout, and thin-set before you begin your project.  You never know what's going to happen to the tile that you have, so it is a good idea to have extra. 

Ultimately, make sure that before you begin any project, make sure you know exactly what to do.  Start with the right tile installation tools. 

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