Grouting woes :(

[diy_fun_uk]

In reality I've not grouted much over the years, however the times I have I've never had any issues.

Until now.

I'm using this stuff: https://www.diy.com/departments/nx-...VX5NQBh0t3g6lEAQYAiABEgKAo_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

tbh I've not yet started grouting the main area, I'm tinkering around some edges and small alcove bits. I'm applying the grout, ensuring it's well pressed into the joint, then wiping away the excess. At that point the gap I've filled looks fine, however over the next 10-15 mins, the majority of the grout seems to disappear, almost like quite extreme shrinkage. Or maybe some sort of suction effect drawing it behind the tile? So I then need to redo the same gap and even then, although it'll do, you still see it going a bit concave.

I wondered if I'm maybe working on the grout too quickly i.e. should I be leaving it another few mins before wiping away excess and tidying the filled gap?

I'm now concerned that when I do the main larger surface, I'll have to do it a second time due to this issue.

Is it something I'm doing wrong, or is it not a great grout?

 

[Wayners]

Apply and work in.
Wait until the grout has started to set before cleaning off the surface. What's the setting time in the instructions?
I don't have experience with that brand but you may need to apply more at it's setting in joints and keep the surface tiles damp.
Water getting on grout before it's set maybe the problem

 

[Scally-Ho]

Is it something I'm doing wrong, or is it not a great grout?

Are you mixing your grout to be too wet? Also, what are you using to apply the mixed grout? A good grouting float allows the user to swiftly spread and press well into each and every joint as it passes over the tiles.

 

[Koolpc]

Are you mixing your grout to be too wet? Also, what are you using to apply the mixed grout? A good grouting float allows the user to swiftly spread and press well into each and every joint as it passes over the tiles.

Its ready mixed. Its the one he linked to..

 

[Scally-Ho]

Ah, yes, right. I was used to bulk powder grout in trade size bags for our tilers. Ready mixed is a pricey way to buy grout, but for small runs it's probably much easier for the DIY enthusiast

 

[johnny2007]

It's the crap grout.
Get a mapei, mix it to manufacturer spec with a digital scale and you'll be fine.
Wait until grout sets enough to be sponged without being dragged.

 

[Koolpc]

Never had an issue with ready mixed grout myself and i have done lots of tiling over the years. I was too lazy to mix!! Lol

 

[diy_fun_uk]

Apply and work in.
Wait until the grout has started to set before cleaning off the surface. What's the setting time in the instructions?
I don't have experience with that brand but you may need to apply more at it's setting in joints and keep the surface tiles damp.
Water getting on grout before it's set maybe the problem

I don't know whether they make that particular product exclusively for B&Q as I can't find it on the manufacturer website nor any data sheet.

On the tub it doesn't give a setting time, other than to say leave for 24 hours before giving tiled surface a final polish.

My head's up my ar5e, you are of course right, I should just have applied more when I saw it starting to shrink, disappear or whatever the feck's happening. Whereas I've been leaving it and going back next day to do the second fill.

There's no water getting on the grout. I know that because I'm just fettling around some edges etc for now and when cleaning off the excess, I'm not going on/over the actual joint.

 

[diy_fun_uk]

It's the crap grout.
Get a mapei, mix it to manufacturer spec with a digital scale and you'll be fine.
Wait until grout sets enough to be sponged without being dragged.

I suspect you're right. However I've used ready-mixed before without issue.

It's bought now and I can't be ar5ed getting it changed. It's for a relatively small area in a kitchen so I'll persevere with it!

 

[diy_fun_uk]

Update on this for those interested.

I basically had to give two passes. The first seemed to half dissolve away, the second was fine.

Job done.