Grout

About Grout

Grout is an essential material for any tiling project, designed to fill the gaps between tiles to create a watertight, hygienic and aesthetically pleasing finish. Whether you're working on bathroom walls, kitchen splashbacks, or floor tiling, choosing the right grout ensures your installation remains durable and looks professional for years to come. Modern grout products range from traditional powder formulations that require mixing to ready-mixed solutions, flexible grouting compounds for areas prone to movement, and specialist grout revivers that restore the appearance of existing tile joints without the need for complete removal and re-grouting.

At TooledUp, our grout collection features trusted brands including Everbuild, UniBond and Evo-Stik, covering everything from standard wall tile grout to specialist flexible formulations and innovative grout reviver products. These products are formulated to meet the demands of both professional tilers and DIY enthusiasts tackling domestic projects. Whether you need a fast-setting grout for time-sensitive commercial work or a flexible compound for areas subject to movement and vibration, you'll find suitable options to ensure a long-lasting, professional finish.

Beyond traditional grouting products, our range includes grout reviver pens and solutions that offer a cost-effective alternative to re-grouting. These innovative products allow you to refresh discoloured or stained grout lines, restoring the original appearance of your tiled surfaces without the time, mess and expense of grinding out and replacing old grout. This makes them ideal for renovation projects, rental properties, and maintenance work where a quick, effective refresh is required.

Jargon Buster

• Grout Reviver: A specialist coating or paint designed to cover and refresh existing grout lines, restoring their colour and appearance without requiring removal of the old grout. Available in pen or bottle applicator formats.
• Flexible Grout: A grout formulation that contains additives to allow slight movement once cured, making it ideal for areas subject to vibration, thermal expansion or substrate movement, such as timber floors or large format tiles.
• Powder Grout: Traditional grout supplied in dry powder form that requires mixing with water before application. Offers longer shelf life and allows adjustment of consistency to suit specific applications.
• Ready-Mixed Grout: Pre-mixed grout supplied in tubs or tubes, ready for immediate application without mixing. Convenient for smaller jobs and eliminates the risk of incorrect water ratios.
• Fast-Set Grout: A quick-drying grout formulation that reduces curing time, allowing earlier use of tiled surfaces and faster project completion. Particularly valuable for commercial installations where downtime must be minimised.
• Wall Tile Grout: Grout specifically formulated for vertical applications on walls, with properties suited to lighter loading and different moisture exposure compared to floor grout.

Who Uses Grout?

Grout is used by a wide range of professionals and DIY enthusiasts across the construction and home improvement sectors:

• Professional tilers and ceramic specialists completing residential and commercial installations
• Bathroom fitters installing wet rooms, shower enclosures and bathroom suites
• Kitchen fitters working on splashbacks and tiled worktop surrounds
• General builders and contractors undertaking refurbishment and new build projects
• Property maintenance professionals refreshing tired tiling in rental properties and commercial premises
• Facilities management teams maintaining tiled areas in schools, hospitals and public buildings
• DIY enthusiasts and homeowners tackling bathroom, kitchen and utility room projects
• Decorators and renovation specialists using grout revivers for quick cosmetic improvements

How to Choose the Right Grout

Selecting the appropriate grout for your project ensures durability, water resistance and a professional finish. Consider these key factors:

Application Location: Wall tile grout is formulated differently to floor grout. Walls require less structural strength but still need good adhesion and water resistance, particularly in bathrooms and kitchens. For floors subject to foot traffic and cleaning, ensure you select a more robust formulation if specified by the manufacturer.

Flexibility Requirements: If tiling onto timber floors, over underfloor heating, or using large format tiles, choose a flexible grout that can accommodate slight movement without cracking. Universal flexible tile grout products offer versatility across various substrates and tile sizes.

Setting Time: For time-sensitive commercial projects or areas that need to return to service quickly, fast-set grout significantly reduces waiting times. Standard grout requires longer curing periods but may offer easier workability for less experienced users.

Colour and Finish: Consider whether you need a specific colour to complement your tiles. For maintenance and renovation work, grout reviver products offer a quick solution to restore or change grout colour without the labour of removal and replacement.

Powder vs Ready-Mixed: Powder grout offers better value for larger projects and longer shelf life when stored properly. Ready-mixed options provide convenience for smaller jobs and eliminate mixing inconsistencies, though they typically cost more per square metre covered.

Water and Stain Resistance: In high-moisture areas like showers and wet rooms, ensure your grout offers appropriate water resistance. Some formulations include antimicrobial additives to resist mould and mildew growth in damp conditions.

Popular Accessories

To achieve professional results when grouting, consider these complementary products and tools:

• Grout floats and rubber spreaders for application and working grout into tile joints
• Grouting sponges for cleaning excess grout from tile surfaces during application
• Mixing buckets and paddle mixers for preparing powder grout to the correct consistency
• Grout finishing tools and shapers for creating neat, consistent joint profiles
• Tile spacers to ensure consistent joint widths throughout your installation
• Grout rakes and removal tools for preparing joints when re-grouting
• Sealants and silicone for movement joints and where tiles meet baths, showers or worktops
• Protective gloves and safety glasses for handling grout products safely
• Cleaning cloths and polishing pads for final finishing and haze removal

Safety Information

When working with grout products, observe these important safety precautions:

Skin Protection: Grout contains cement-based materials that can cause skin irritation and alkaline burns with prolonged contact. Always wear appropriate protective gloves when mixing and applying grout products. If grout contacts skin, wash immediately with plenty of water.

Eye Protection: Wear safety glasses or goggles when mixing powder grout to prevent dust or splashes entering your eyes. If contact occurs, rinse immediately with clean water and seek medical advice if irritation persists.

Respiratory Protection: When mixing powder grout, ensure adequate ventilation to avoid inhaling dust. In confined spaces or when mixing large quantities, consider wearing a suitable dust mask conforming to relevant standards.

COSHH Compliance: Professional users must conduct appropriate risk assessments under COSHH regulations before using grouting products. Consult product safety data sheets for specific hazard information and safe handling procedures.

Storage and Disposal: Store grout products in a cool, dry location away from children and pets. Dispose of hardened grout and empty containers in accordance with local waste regulations. Never pour liquid grout down drains as it can set and cause blockages.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between wall tile grout and floor grout?

Wall tile grout is formulated for vertical applications with less structural loading, whilst floor grout typically offers greater strength and abrasion resistance to withstand foot traffic. However, many modern universal grouts are suitable for both applications. Always check manufacturer specifications for your specific project requirements.

How long does grout take to dry before I can use the tiled area?

Standard grout typically requires 24-48 hours before light use and up to 72 hours for full cure, though this varies by product and environmental conditions. Fast-set grout formulations can reduce this to just a few hours. Avoid exposing grout to water or heavy use during the curing period to ensure proper strength development and prevent discolouration.

Can I change the colour of existing grout without removing it?

Yes, grout reviver products are specifically designed for this purpose. These coating solutions allow you to refresh or completely change grout colour without the labour-intensive process of grinding out old grout. They're ideal for updating tired-looking tiling or correcting poorly matched grout colours, available in both pen applicators for precision work and bottles for larger areas.

Do I need flexible grout for my tiling project?

Flexible grout is recommended for installations over timber floors, underfloor heating systems, or when using large format tiles (typically over 300mm). It's also advisable where slight substrate movement is expected or where tiles are installed over different materials that expand at different rates. For standard wall tiling on solid, stable backgrounds, regular grout is usually sufficient.

How much grout will I need for my project?

Grout coverage depends on tile size, tile thickness, and joint width. As a general guide, larger tiles with narrower joints require less grout per square metre than smaller tiles with wider joints. Most manufacturers provide coverage calculators or tables on product packaging. It's wise to purchase slightly more than calculated to account for wastage and ensure consistent colour across the entire installation from the same batch.