[TGD2016]

Hey guys/gals,

I always thought the traditional method of grouting floor tile didn't make too much sense. Why smother the grout on the entire floor when only about 10% or less is needed?
I grouted two bathrooms recently using a grout bag and I made a video about it, check it out:


https://youtu.be/0ofA7CP6ApAi

 

[chandler48]

A grout bag takes too much time. Doing it the conventional way, you use 90% of the grout as you are moving it into the cracks at a 45 degree angle as you go. Not much waste. Good luck with your method.

 

[TGD2016]

I have done it both ways. I found the bag to be the better option. Without the bag the grout is all over the tile, clean up takes twice as long especially when using textured tile and a lot of grout goes to waste IMO.
Have you tried the bag? I am always interested in finding better ways to complete my projects without sacrificing quality workmanship.

 

[dj3]

Good concept, but I'd use a wet sponge to push the grout in and wipe the excess, instead of the jointer or fingers.
When I grout, I don't cover the tiles with grout, just the spaces between them.

 

[huesmann]

It's a big pastry bag!

 

[TGD2016]

@dj3 you are correct about the wet sponge. I did use one, but only after the jointer. I was concerned the sponge would remove too much grout before it made its way into the joints.
IMO When you use a float you lose time scooping grout back and forth. With the bag, you load up and keep moving.
The results were fantastic and took me 30 mins to apply and clean up a 5x8 floor I cl using time recording my video. It took 5 minutes to apply the grout to half the bathroom no BS.

 

[TGD2016]

Haha...it is! Funny story, My first job was at a Haagen Dazs ice cream store in Manhattan where one of my duties was to make cakes and decorate with a pastry bag lol.

 

[huesmann]

Good training for your grouting!

 

[SPS-1]

In the video, I question if you got grout to the bottom of the gap between tiles. I saw spots where clearly the bag did not push grout to the bottom. It may (or might not) have been pushed to the bottom when you tooled it. I don't believe wiping a wet sponge overtop did anything to push grout to the bottom.

And you put grout between the floor and tub. Pretty sure one is supposed to use caulk at a change of plane.

 

[TGD2016]

@SPS-1 thanks for checking it out. Yes, there were a few areas the bag didn’t go all the way in; however, I ensured they were filled in as much as possible when I went back with the jointing tool and later the sponge. From my experience grout is used as a filler & doesn’t provide any installation support, but remains a necessary step in tile installation.
With that said, with future projects I’ll try a floating trowel to see if it works better.
I agree with your comment about two planes, and I do intend to go back and caulk when I do the trim and finish work. The tub shouldn’t move, but in the event it did, it will cause the grout to chip. A layer of siliconed caulk should help. Thanks again.