grouting large tile - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

Home Serve · 11-09-2008, 02:00 PM

I have some 18"x18" tile with a medium/light rough surface (not smooth) to grout and would like to get some tips on if you tile guys grout these as normal or try to avoid covering the whole piece of the tile with grout in order to save clean up time.
Tips, Ideas, time savers, etc appreciated.

Thanks,
Dave C

**genecarp** · 11-09-2008, 02:04 PM

I had seen this at a show, i know nothing about personally, but it sured demoed nicely. beyond this contraption, grout as usual..

http://thegroutrocket.com/

Home Serve · 11-09-2008, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by genecarp

I had seen this at a show, i know nothing about personally, but it sured demoed nicely. beyond this contraption, grout as usual..

http://thegroutrocket.com/

Boy you sure come up with the tools Gene! Looks like quite a machine! I'll check it out, we dont do much tile tho so can't spend much especially this time of year if you know what I mean.
Thanks,
dave c

Ceramictec · 11-12-2008, 07:37 PM

if it isn't a big area you just need to deal with the rough surface and go at it with a float & sponge.

I have a Tile-Eze and it makes Eze work of rough surfaced tile.

http://www.tile-eze.com/0101.html

Mike Finley · 11-12-2008, 07:42 PM

Back when I laid tile, any time I did large format tile I always avoided covering the entire tile with grout, it just made more sense, wasted less grout and was faster in the long run.

(That grout rocket I would be warry of based on the process of using it eliminates the step of packing the joints)

Ceramictec · 11-12-2008, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Finley

(That grout rocket I would be warry of based on the process of using it eliminates the step of packing the joints)

exactly !

Pearce Services · 11-12-2008, 08:07 PM

You could try a grout bag. I like it for sanded grout on large format tiles when installed on walls, I also used one recently for a slate job, for the same reason you are concerned about, to keep the grout off of as much tile as possible. It works nicely, but does take longer than just using a float.

WarnerConstInc. · 11-12-2008, 09:45 PM

Ughhhh, I just got done with a small kitchen slate job, I still hate doing it, but a grout bag is the way. The only part I like about it is the pay!!!

Pearce Services · 11-13-2008, 06:31 AM

The slate I was working with was not gauged very well, and when I pulled out a pieces to add thin set to level the edges, the tiles would just blow apart from the suction, leaving a bunch of debris in the thin set.

I am now charging triple for slate, after this last one. I used to charge double my ceramic rate. I also needed to get 30% extra for waste.

Warner (and anyone else), how much over your Ceramic rate are you charging for slate? Is slate starting to become popular?

Mike Finley · 11-13-2008, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pearce Services

The slate I was working with was not gauged very well, and when I pulled out a pieces to add thin set to level the edges, the tiles would just blow apart from the suction, leaving a bunch of debris in the thin set.

I am now charging triple for slate, after this last one. I used to charge double my ceramic rate. I also needed to get 30% extra for waste.

Warner (and anyone else), how much over your Ceramic rate are you charging for slate? Is slate starting to become popular?

Are you controlling the product? Slate is so different from manufacturer to manufacturer. If you have no control of what you are installing you are pretty much screwed. If you have control of your customers selections you can eliminate some of these headaches.

One of our tile suppliers, their slate is a nightmare, the other tile supplier their slate is completely different. When a customer wants slate we don't let them pick it from the first supplier.

MALCO.New.York · 11-13-2008, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ceramictec

if it isn't a big area you just need to deal with the rough surface and go at it with a float & sponge.

I have a Tile-Eze and it makes Eze work of rough surfaced tile.

http://www.tile-eze.com/0101.html

Never seen one of those before!!!! But I have seen these........

Ceramictec · 11-13-2008, 02:11 PM

MALCO.New.York · 11-13-2008, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ceramictec

It is like a VERY LARGE recirculating towel. Is it not?

My previous post was mean to be somewhat "funny". Apparently I failed!

Pearce Services · 11-13-2008, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Finley

Are you controlling the product? Slate is so different from manufacturer to manufacturer. If you have no control of what you are installing you are pretty much screwed. If you have control of your customers selections you can eliminate some of these headaches.

One of our tile suppliers, their slate is a nightmare, the other tile supplier their slate is completely different. When a customer wants slate we don't let them pick it from the first supplier.

I haven't been doing enough slate to know which products I prefer, But this was a customer supplied product, and I expected some aggravation, but not like this.

I will take you advice on the next one, and find a more stable product....Thanks