If you choose to pause grouting and continue after, here are some tips to help the grout blend in nicely: Don't leave any excess grout, including the bits of extra grout on the edges. Make sure all of the grout is cleaned off (other than a bit of the filmy haze on the tile!)
Make sweeping arcs and work the grout completely into all the joints between the tiles. You can also use your grout float to wipe away excess grout as you go. Work in sections, rather than trying to grout the entire wall or floor of tile at once.
There is no reason not to wait to apply grout, unless you have used a quick-set tile adhesive. The thin-set mortar needs time and air to properly set and cure for strong bonding. Improper curing can lead to a flaky adhesive, which will cause loose or failing tiles and bonds.
But that does not happen until the mortar has set and holds the tile firmly in place. So, when the initial tile goes down, you should let the mortar set for a day before walking on your unfinished tile floor. After the mortar is set, your new tile flooring needs grout to complete the job.
Is there any harm in waiting for more than 72 hours after installing wall tile for thinset to dry before applying grout? As long as you have cleaned the grout joints if excess thinset there will be no issues. Thinset cures over the course of a few days or weeks depending on weather it is modified or not.
What happens if you wait too long to wipe grout? The grout can dry out as well as not seal which will allow water under it which in turn can cause damage to everything making up the floor including the tile and any other material (wood, the structure of the building) under it.
If grouted too early for instance of adhesive that takes 24 hrs to dry the white grout may discolour because of the moisture still in the adhesive and it cant get out due to the grout.. so will discolour... Small tiled area, there's nothing wrong with using rapid set and grouting the same day.
Once the grout has started to harden (20 to 30 minutes), begin sponging. Don't use just any sponge, especially one from the kitchen; choose a “hydrophilic” sponge. Make sure the sponge is damp, not wet, and sweep diagonally across the face of the tile and wipe the grout off the tile surface.
Tile tends to expand when the room temperature reaches a certain level. That is why you should never install tiles next to each other and always leave a small space between slates for the grout lines. That is where tile spacers can come in handy.
Can you pause your project and tile over multiple days? Yes! You absolutely can! But the way you choose to do it can make a big difference in your tiling looks the next day!
ANSWER. ANSWER - It is possible to grout over existing grout if there is enough depth to do so. 1/8 inch depth may or may not be adequate depending on the type of grout used. A latex modified grout may work, but you have to properly clean the existing grout to ensure the new grout adequately bonds.
What's more, if water or grit gets into the joints of the tile, it can lead to serious problems. At this point you may wonder if a complete re-grout is necessary or if it would be possible to simply put new grout over old grout. The answer is, yes, it is possible to put new grout over old grout.
Grout that hasn't dried properly or gets wet before it cures may also allow water to seep into the gaps and behind tiles. Plus, if grout isn't given sufficient time to cure before sealing it, it may flake or peel.
You can grout with your finger. First apply the grout with a float, then neaten the grout line by running your finger along the lines. Leave to harden off a little before wiping the excess grout from the tiles' surfaces. After you have wiped, check the lines and again use your finger to create a neat finish.
Dampen the substrate and tiles
The use of water is an important part of the entire installation process. Before grouting, use a clean sponge with potable water to dampen the substrate throughout the tile installation. Next, dampen the edges of the tiles with a light water spray bottle.
Most rectified tiles should have no grout joint smaller than 1/8”. The smallest grout joint you should ever have is 1/16” and is usually only applicable in stone installations.
There are cases when laying tile without grout will probably leave the job looking a lot better. But here's the thing: if you want the job to last, then you need to use grout. Groutless tile has a higher chance of breaking, meaning that you would need to resume the work.
Industry standards do not recommend butting tiles together whether they are a stone tile or a ceramic tile.
No matter how good you are with a sponge, once everything is dry (usually overnight) there will still be a grout haze on the floor. You'll be tempted to use a wet cloth to wipe it off, but that will put you in a vicious grout-wiping cycle. A better idea is to use a dry towel to rub off any haze.
After Grouting
Without grout sealant, water will penetrate the grout and cause it to crack and flake. Cracks in shower grout aren't just unsightly – they can allow water to get behind the tiles and cause rot in the wall. Of course, unsealed grout will also become stained and ugly in a short time.
But if you are using 2mm or 3mm tile spacers and don't have a grouting tool to hand you can use the top of a round pencil to get the uniform finish. Leave in water to moisten and dip each time you use the pencil.
New grout can take 24 or even 48 hours before it dries completely. It depends on the humidity and temperature in the room where the grout is installed.
Tiles are a little wet when they're just paved. if the grout is operated immediately, the adhesion between the tiles will be reduced, and the ceramic epoxy grout is easier to be taken off. So it's better to grout 1-2 weeks later after the tile-laying construction.
Grout hardens completely after 30 to 60 minutes. If you wait too long after slaking, it's possible that you'll have to dispose of the batch and start again. Adding water does not reactivate grout at this point. Repeat as needed to make enough batches of grout to complete your project.