Grout same day as tiling?

metricspaces

Is it possible to grout the same day as tiling?

I've read that you can get fast drying adhesive for the tiles that let you grout about 2 hours after.

If you get a tiler out to do a small splash back (say 1m x 1m). Would you expect him to tile on one day, and come back a second day to grout?

The reason I'm asking is I got a tiler to tile my splash back and he made a total mess of it. Clearly he didn't use spacers and the grout was full of air holes. He grouted immediately after tiling.

Rather than getting the tiler to fix the mess I'll just get someone else to do it properly as he clearly couldn't have cared less about the quality. So I want to be sure it is done properly and I'd like to know if the tiler should be grouting the same day?

If the tiler says he is going to grout immediately - I guess I should find someone else? As there is no tile adhesive that lets you grout immediately?

If the tiler says he will grout the same day - should I ask to see what adhesive he is using and check how long it specifies must be waited before grouting?

metricspaces

Anyone with tiling experience who can help here?

piplip87

A bit, I laboured for a tiler with a dodgy back in my younger days.

Get the Tiler to lay the tiles and grout it yourself the following day. It really is not a big job to grout it.

metricspaces

piplip87 wrote: »

Get the Tiler to lay the tiles and grout it yourself the following day. It really is not a big job to grout it.

Definitely I can do this for the splash back as it is a small area.

However I am also getting a lot more tiling done. So I would like to know if the following are correct, before getting tiler in:

1) You definitely cannot grout immediately after laying tiles
2) There are some fast drying adhesives that let you grout something like 2hrs after laying tiles
3) With normal adhesive you must wait until the next day to tile

the_pen_turner

you can get rapid set adhesive. very common.
if used you can grout same day.
if its premixed adhesive then it needs a lot longer to set



sounds like you hired a cowboy.
some tillers don't use spacers but what is important is that an even grout joint is maintained

post up a pic and let us see if it it can be saved

personally I don't think you should grout it yourself. grout is probably one of the top 3 things that need to be done properly(grout lines straight, and tiles flush with each other) . a bad grout job can ruin a great tile job.

the_pen_turner

metricspaces wrote: »

Definitely I can do this for the splash back as it is a small area.

However I am also getting a lot more tiling done. So I would like to know if the following are correct, before getting tiler in:

1) You definitely cannot grout immediately after laying tilesno, not imediatly
2) There are some fast drying adhesives that let you grout something like 2hrs after laying tilesyes rapid set
3) With normal adhesive you must wait until the next day to tilenot neciserily . a small job could be finished early enough to grout late in the day

.

agusta

It comes down to the quality of tiler.you need to get someone recommended.you can grout wall tiles as soon as they hold their position.with the right adhesive for the job it could be a little while after the last tile is fitted

the_pen_turner

agusta wrote: »

It comes down to the quality of tiler.you need to get someone recommended.you can grout wall tiles as soon as they hold their position.with the right adhesive for the job it could be as little as 15 mins after the last tile is fitted

really. what brand makes an adhesive like that. it could be really handy for fixing the odd tile
any of the rapid set I have read have said minimum 2 hours

agusta

2 hours is on a floor,they can firm up alot fairly quickly.you cant walk on a floor until at least 2 hours.you dont walk on a wall so you can grout a short while after the tile holds it position.dunlop fastflex is one

metricspaces

agusta wrote: »

you can grout wall tiles as soon as they hold their position.

Is this true? I've read you cannot grout until the time specified by adhesive manufacturer has passed as air needs to get in to allow it to set?

Also applying grout on top of adhesive that has not set can mess up the colour of the grout.

I took a look at the adhesive you mentioned and it specifies 3 hours must pass before grouting
https://www.dunloptrade.com/products/rapidset-floor-wall-tile-adhesive/
Is there any good reason why tilers would not follow the manufacturers instructions - surely the manufacturers of the adhesive know their products best?

agusta

Ready mixed water based adhesives need air to dry/set the adhesive.Fast setting powder adhesive is different.it sets chemically.The guy you got wasnt up to standard

metricspaces

agusta wrote: »

Fast setting powder adhesive is different.it sets chemically.

And do the manufactures instructions say it is possible to grout immediately?

agusta

Humidity, type of substrate being tiled onto,type of adhesive used. there are many factors.This is what separates the best tilers from the cowboys.You need a good recommendation.

metricspaces

agusta wrote: »

Humidity, type of substrate being tiled onto,type of adhesive used. there are many factors.This is what separates the best tilers from the cowboys.You need a good recommendation.

As far as I understand there is no tile adhesive where the manufacturer says you can grout immediately. So I don't see how it's even open to interpretation. Surely the manufacturer of the adhesive knows their product best - if the instructions say wait 2 hours then you must wait 2 hours?