Hi!
I'm currently waiting to grout the tiles I recently installed in my kitchen. Yesterday, when I was talking to an acquaintance who works for a large Swedish construction company, I heard that I should apply the sealant first before applying the tile grout to avoid spreading the sealant into the grout (I think that's what he said). I was a bit surprised, but maybe that's the right approach to get the best result? I'm a DIY enthusiast and had spontaneously planned to do it in reverse order (as I've done before).
How do you do it? Grout or sealant first?
Best regards,
Daniel
I'm currently waiting to grout the tiles I recently installed in my kitchen. Yesterday, when I was talking to an acquaintance who works for a large Swedish construction company, I heard that I should apply the sealant first before applying the tile grout to avoid spreading the sealant into the grout (I think that's what he said). I was a bit surprised, but maybe that's the right approach to get the best result? I'm a DIY enthusiast and had spontaneously planned to do it in reverse order (as I've done before).
How do you do it? Grout or sealant first?
Best regards,
Daniel
No, you grout the tile first and then apply silicone against the counter; you can seal against walls but not against the sink or countertop...K Kardan79 said:
I have done this only once before and applied the flexible sealant last. It turned out well. With my nonexistent experience, I can't determine if there are advantages to doing it in reverse order. I must ask the question - why do you think the flexible sealant should go on last? Best regards, DanielRejäl said:
Flexible filler should not be used at the connection between the sink and the tiles; it should be siliconed instead.
This is to ensure that the cement-based tile grout between the tiles extends all the way down to the countertop/sink.
I have never seen a case where you silicone first and then grout the tiles afterward.
This is to ensure that the cement-based tile grout between the tiles extends all the way down to the countertop/sink.
I have never seen a case where you silicone first and then grout the tiles afterward.
Excuse me. I may have incorrectly used the term "flexible sealant" as a collective term for products that provide a flexible joint (acrylic, latex, silicone, etc.). I will, of course, use silicone at the angle against the countertop.Rejäl said:
I haven't heard of that order either!
I also thought that silicone is a variant of soft sealant.
I believe that if you apply the soft sealant first and then the regular sealant, residue will stick to the silicone sealant. Which becomes impossible to remove.
Silicone is, in many ways, a great material. But it has a peculiar surface; it attracts dirt in a way that's nearly impossible to clean. However, nothing you want to adhere to silicone will stick. Paint doesn't adhere at all, not even new silicone adheres properly to old silicone.
One should obviously not smear silicone on the tile surface.
As an amateur, I find it works reasonably well to place wide masking tape on both sides of the sealant line. Apply the silicone sealant, smooth it with an appropriate tool (tile scrapers made of soft silicone rubber are good; silicone, as mentioned, doesn't stick to silicone). Remove the tape, and then give a gentle touch with a finger moistened in water with dish soap. This final touch is to remove the edges left by the tape.
I believe that if you apply the soft sealant first and then the regular sealant, residue will stick to the silicone sealant. Which becomes impossible to remove.
Silicone is, in many ways, a great material. But it has a peculiar surface; it attracts dirt in a way that's nearly impossible to clean. However, nothing you want to adhere to silicone will stick. Paint doesn't adhere at all, not even new silicone adheres properly to old silicone.
One should obviously not smear silicone on the tile surface.
As an amateur, I find it works reasonably well to place wide masking tape on both sides of the sealant line. Apply the silicone sealant, smooth it with an appropriate tool (tile scrapers made of soft silicone rubber are good; silicone, as mentioned, doesn't stick to silicone). Remove the tape, and then give a gentle touch with a finger moistened in water with dish soap. This final touch is to remove the edges left by the tape.
I guess it will be like I did last time. The tile grout first.H hempularen said:
I usually settle for tape, soap solution (not saliva, as I snuff quite a bit and dislike brown/yellow grout) and finger, regardless of the type of soft joint. It usually turns out well. But then again, I've never tried to make a really wide joint.
Thanks!
Edit - I would hardly use tape and soap solution if I were to grout a ceiling angle, or similar, that will be painted over anyway. But if it turns out less than perfect, I'll bring out a soft sponge and soap solution to tidy up.
I usually apply the silicone last, but I can see his point in applying it first just to avoid smudging silicone in the grout. The grout is always a bit lower than the tiles, so even with taping, it's difficult to get it completely exact.
It was precisely for that reason that he advocated for applying the soft joint first (as I understood it).JanneJanne123 said:
Yes, I think I'll try that a bit more controlled next time I tile, I hate when everything is straight and nice except for the last silicone joint.