How thick should grout be for ceramic tile?

Question

i just tiled my bathroom, im prepping for the grout stage. the tile spacing is 1/8 inch. some of the thinset pushed up between the joints where the grout is to be laid. i just want to now how deep the space between the joints should be for the grout. i.e the depth from the top of the tile to the top of the thinset. i know ill ahve to clean out some of the mortar i just need to know how much. thanks in advance

Answer 1

I just did my shower and floors in the bathroom. You want to make sure that you get as much of the thinset out of the grout lines, would have been easier if you did this befor it dried. You can use a painters 5-way, lowes carries it, to dig out the thinset. Just try and get it halfway down the thickness of the tile or the thinset will show through. You will need to use a rubber trowel to do the grout, just take the grout and ad to the side of the trowel and push it in. you will want to make sure that you go over the line a couple times in different angles and push the grout in. Let it dry for 15-20 minutes and use a damp sponge to go back over it. Not to worry grout comes off much easier than thin set. Good luck and have fun

Answer 2

Some tilers just go over with a sponge and hardly take any out, basically wiping it nearly level.   If the edges of the tile are curved downward, you can also use the handle of a tooth bush to lightly impress the depth, just so it is consistent.

Answer 3

The tile spacing u mentioned is 1/8.  U just use a applicater and smear the grout into the space.  As long as u clean out the thin set before u apply the grout.  Than, u wipe and smooth out the grout with a wet sponge to make sure the grout set into the space.  Wipe as many times as u need to ensure that the grout is set.  Than u wait 24 hours to let it dry.  U can apply sealer and wipe all the excess out.  ur done.

As for how deep u must apply the grout..depends on the color of ur thin set.  If it match..just scratch it enough to let a thin layer to sit on top.  A experience tile setter will clean the thin set as he go to ensure the tiles have a space to put the grout in.  He will wipe the tile clean as he lay the tile.

Answer 4

The grout really should be the thickness of the tile but a little less should be fine. If you are using a light colored grout and you have the gray thinset it may bleed through the grout of the grout is too thin