How to grout, Step by step. Stain resistant grouts, Mapei Ultracolor plus FA or similar

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How to grout, this video is intended to be a guideline on how to grout a tile installation, no matter what the tile may be or whether it is a floor, or a wall. You will need a rubber float, a couple of buckets, a margin trowel a cordless drill and a mixing paddle for the drill., and some rubber gloves. Today there are many options ad different types of grout, the grout featured in this video is Mapei grout Ultracolor plus FA. Modern grouts are much better than the standard Cementitious grouts that are Portland Cement based, which were prone to staining and difficult to keep clean. Modern stain resistant grouts like the Mapei product in this video are made with Calcium Aluminate that provide a much denser and very stain resistant finish. Mix your grout according to the direction of the grout you are using. This is very important for these modern grouts, small discrepancies in the amount of water can impact the color of the grout. Once the grout is ready, I find the best way to grout, is to spread the grout with the rubber float while holding it at a very low angle to the floor and pushing the grout into the lines while applying a good amount of pressure. Once you have filled the lines go over the same area with the float at a very high angle in order to remove all the excess grout and leave the grout lines filled with the proper amount of grout. Let stand until there is no transfer to your finger when you touch the grout. Then with a grout sponge and a bucket of clean cool water, work the grout lines with the sponge. The sponge should have as little water as possible not dripping or soaked. At this point the goal is to shape the grout lines, not clean the tile. Once this is accomplished, the next step is to clean the tile. Again, with a damp sponge and clean water, place the sponge on the tile, with even pressure pull the sponge in one direction only, lift the sponge flip to the other side repeat, rinse and repeat until the grouted section is clean. Once the tile is grouted and cleaned in this fashion, wait until the area dries to a haze, most times you can wipe it down with a clean dry cloth to remove the haze. If needed, a second rinse with clean water can be done to remove the haze, and then follow with a cloth if any haze remains.
All tile installed by Sal DiBlasi, Elite-tile Company, in the Boston North Shore area. This video contains affiliate links, which means I will receive a small commission if you click on the product link.
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[@damfriedchicken9159]

Im 19 years old and im a tile apprentice with my dad and lately we’ve been doing some crappy grout jobs! Lots of air bubbles and discoloration learned that we’re using too much water and not mixing the grout according to the instructions! Im learning alot from your videos and want to say thanks for taking the time to do these it really does help ! -Greetings from Arizona

[@SalDiBlasi]

Greetings from Boston. Sometimes little things can make a big difference.

[@Dggb2345]

Amen brother!

[@SikDigitz]

Get premixed

[@Titantitan001]

@@SikDigitz no that stuff is garbage. Just mix the grout properly with a slow speed drill. Make sure you aren’t leaving any water on top of the joints.

[@aoclive6710]

This is a brutal labor intensive trade. I am doing Reno’s to my kitchen and washroom and removing the grout has been hell. Make sure you gents are well paid for your time

[@doc-holiday]

The best grouting video i seen by far. You answered a few question for me. Thank you Sir

[@forwardlove9390]

Great color and texture / pattern combinations in this room- beautiful! Also Installed perfectly, wow they must just be so happy 🤩😍🤩

[@yibuseato]

Your videos are so incredibly helpful, Sal. I can’t thank you enough for sharing your expertise with us. 👍

[@SalDiBlasi]

Glad you like them!

[@steveperreira5850]

Sal is the saint of tile! Thank you so much Sal!

[@bradyoung1052]

I really appreciate the details in your videos. Your experience shows.

[@SalDiBlasi]

😊👍

[@TobiasRaphael1]

Beautiful job Sal. You are one hard working guy! Thanks for all the tips too!

[@SalDiBlasi]

👍😊

[@JM-ct7yz]

I just want to thank you for your videos, Sal i really appreciate it!

[@SalDiBlasi]

👍😊

[@janeofcrafts]

Thanks Sal for explaining the difference between the types of grout. I am about to tackle a bathroom floor and a little nevous about which to pick.

[@SalDiBlasi]

new grouts coming out all the time, Laticrete has a game changer ready for market., should be available very soon.

[@ibrahimwehbe1153]

I just did my bathroom according to your instructions Same grout It came out perfect 🙏🙏🙏

[@xavierblauvelt7595]

Thank you for the great video! I tried to make a video doing some stuff and it really takes up a lot of time and slows you down tremendously, so i gave up. It's people like you that make DIY'ers greater. Thank you again!

[@SalDiBlasi]

Glad it was helpful!

[@RockyMTHirvi]

Thanks Sal. I followed your demonstration instructions on how to grout with this Mapei Ultracolor plus FA for my first grouting of ceramic tile. It went well and my wife even says, " looks great!" So, thank you sir!

[@SalDiBlasi]

Glad it was helpful!

[@devduguay2814]

This guy is the best tiling expert on KZbin, much respect

[@SalDiBlasi]

Thanks for watching my video.

[@ohu8one221]

Nice Video Sal helped me a bunch I was just getting ready to start the grouting but wanted to run through it on the video first. I've been playing Dentist picking all the Ultra flex 2 out and making sure everything was clean and ready before mixing up a batch of Mapei Ultracolor Plus FA.

[@SalDiBlasi]

Glad it helped

[@jenniferw8963]

Sal, thank you so much for this wonderful video tutorial! My boyfriend and I both watched this video carefully a couple times. We started using this Mapei Ultracolor Plus FA (biscuit cover on ceramic travertine colored tiles in pinwheel pattern). It turned out so wonderful! Since we are a bit slow we only mixed like 5 lbs of grout powder with the 2 cups of water, as the grout in the bucket started drying out pretty fast. We did everything you said and it turned out so beautiful. This whole job looks professional! It would of cost $7000 to have someone do all we did in this kitchen, yet we spent under $1500 for it all. Thanks again! This Mapei Ultracolor Plus FA isn't all that bad at all as logn as you do it in sections and do everything on time.. so easy really! This is the first time either of us have ever laid down any grout!

[@andraea_346]

Good point out with the low angle vs high angle. I haven’t heard it explained that way but makes sense

[@ksard4142]

I used this to do a 7x5 bathroom and linen closet. I chilled the water in the fridge and had plenty of time to do the whole floor. Great video. It really helped me feel confident on my first tile job.

[@SalDiBlasi]

Thanks, glad it helped

[@buckeye44wbg]

Thanks for the step by step, Sal.

[@laurenharper1510]

I’m a lady tiler and home remodeler. I’ve been following you for years. I’m so very grateful. Thank you dear Sir for helping people!

[@SalDiBlasi]

You are very welcome

[@lisavizzini9416]

Sal you are the best. Thank you ! Watched this video 4x today while grouting.

[@SalDiBlasi]

Thanks, glad it helped

[@lisavizzini9416]

Sal DiBlasi we found out on one section to pay close attention to the “tip of the finger “ test for ready to clean. The day was heating up and we had an “oh s$&t” moment followed by a 1/2 hour of intense clean with the realization that we are amateurs. Let me know if I can post a photo and tag you on Instagram. You are a generous talented person. Thank you

[@SalDiBlasi]

saldiblasi1

[@jmacintyre2039]

Advance to 5:00 there is some important info, then again to 9:30 and watch from there, will save you some chat. All in all, good video and informative. Really appreciate the pros like this fella doing these videos to help out us green weenies!

[@stephaniestrobel3331]

This is great. Like having a very patient expert friend to explain and demonstrate. Gives me courage to give it it try. Thank you!

[@SalDiBlasi]

Thanks for watching my video.

[@stephaniestrobel3331]

I went ahead and did it. It turned out great!😃

[@singncarpenter6270]

I've got to thank you again Sal. I just finished tiling my bathroom floor and tomorrow I'm doing the grout. I've watched a lot of your videos preparing for different stages of my projects as I remodel my house. I'm in my mid sixties and it's hard work. I've got to hand it to you for doing this for a living. It's back breaking work and you make it look easy. It's not easy.

[@SalDiBlasi]

Thanks for watching my video.

[@amykelly1608]

Followed your step by step guide and, as a first time grouter, it turned out perfectly. Thanks for sharing. 👏🏼👍🏼💪🏻

[@SalDiBlasi]

Wonderful!

[@BrooklynTony1]

27:11 was the smallest big question I had. Thank you so much Uncle Sal 😎❤️

[@4315chris]

It's all in the details! I've been cleaning grout the wrong way for years and can't believe how much easier it is when done the way you explain. I appreciate your years of experience and tile wisdom!

[@SalDiBlasi]

Glad to help!

[@ChrisPalmieri01]

great video, sal. thanks for putting this together. ready to grout my floor now!

[@SalDiBlasi]

Any time!

[@ritajacoby9081]

A clear, consise demonstration and info Thankyou Sal..I removed 4 loose floor tiles on the bathroom floor and back-buttered them for good contact with the floor.. Now am ready to apply grout to the seams. Wish me luck..

[@SalDiBlasi]

😊👍

[@ScottyLo]

Another great tutorial. As always thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@SalDiBlasi]

😊👍

[@JyaiZEN]

Thank you for the awesome step by step!

[@SalDiBlasi]

You're very welcome!

[@BuzzyNectar]

Thanks for posting Sal - great tips and demonstration - have learnt some key points - impossible to hire a tiler here at the moment - quoting 4 months so going to give it a go myself :-)

[@SalDiBlasi]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kevinthomas183]

Very clear instructions, can't fault you! Now I'm off to grout my floor I hope I don't mess it up somehow 😅

[@SalDiBlasi]

Good luck!

[@garmar704]

Another great video, Sal. Thank you. The FA line has been the best thing to come along in a long time (imo) :)

[@SalDiBlasi]

it is good stuff.

[@fartpooboxohyeah8611]

The first time I used that "fast setting" grout to grout a shower I had to wait 3 hours for it to start to set up. I mixed it according to the directions to a T. I literally sat around for about 3 hour, every 20 minutes I'd check to see if I could start wiping.. and nope! I used the same grout yesterday for only the second time and ignored the directions this time and mixed it to a thicker consistency that "felt" right,... and it went on like a a dream and set up in about 10 minutes. I would grout a half a wall at a time then wipe it. Looked great.

[@loslos1462]

Sal, you're my favorite tile setter your videos are so in detailed and explanatory. I thank you good man for sharing the knowledge.🙏🙏 Suscribed

[@SalDiBlasi]

Glad you like them!

[@josephmockbee]

Sal, you make it look easy. Thanks for your channel

[@SalDiBlasi]

Thanks for watching

[@stephanbill8966]

Went through this video a few times and read all the comments about the short working time of Mapei Ultracolor Plus FA. Everything worked out well. Luckily it was a cool day. I made a small one pound batch to start with and then a two pound batch. That worked well. Using a paint mixing paddle to mix the grout worked very well. The instructions on my bag are slightly different from what you showed. It says to mix 4-5 minutes and to apply immediately, No slake and remixing. Anyways that's what I did and it worked fine. Thanks for your videos. I appreciate to see an expert at work. Sometimes it seems so easy when someone else is doing it. Another side note: I have a problem keeping my work clean. I always get mortar on my fingers that then goes to the tiles and I am constantly wiping and cleaning. I guess this comes with practice. Again thanks a lot.

[@SalDiBlasi]

Yes the mixing directions have changed a bit since this video was made, that is why you always check to see if something has been updated or modified in some way, by reading the directions.

[@user-pr8uy9bw8y]

you are the best Sal. keep up the good work.

[@SalDiBlasi]

Thanks, will do!

[@garywithrow3637]

I like to thank you very much you taught me a lot just a short. of time I don't think I will be afraid to use the rapid of dry grout now

[@SalDiBlasi]

😊👍

[@sonofthunder.]

great info,I'm about to grout floor

[@jimmysotack5490]

Beautiful work as always

[@SalDiBlasi]

Thank you so much 😀

[@ibrahimwehbe1153]

Thank you mostly for the confidence that you us

[@ljackson8220]

Thanks for showing us the correct way to do this and for the info on using the modern grout. It is good to see you doing high quality work on youtube. I have watched a lot of your videos. I am doing a tub shower in my house using the Kerdi system. My 1st time installing 12 x 24 tiles. I have been doing remodeling and painting for a long time. It's been over 15 years since I have installed tile.

[@SalDiBlasi]

Take your time and, it will start to move along a bit quicker once you get the hang of it.

[@billycarson3408]

Sal everyone has seen your videos, your a legend. Good video sir

[@SalDiBlasi]

😊👍

[@NativeNYerChicHK]

Because I’m a bit of a perfectionist, and so nervous about measuring & mixing improperly, I’ve been meticulous about my measurements and mixing the same way each time I mix a new batch of grout. I want to ensure that the thickness & color is seamless from one batch to the next. Thank you so much for these very informative videos! Those are the biggest warnings from pros like yourself, not achieving uniform strength & color because of not mixing/slaking/mixing properly and not being exact with the measurements when you do mix a new batch. But because I’m a good listener (and maybe a little neurotic 😂) I’ve been successful and not actually experienced those problems myself! Thanks again 😊

[@SalDiBlasi]

Follow the direction and you will have success, as you did.

[@JohnSmithh644]

Beautiful!

[@nupe21911]

You're the best. Thanks for this.

[@SalDiBlasi]

You're welcome!

[@omarben3901]

Your work is good🤗👍👍👍

[@Intoxacajun]

By the way Sal, thanks for the video, great info!

[@SalDiBlasi]

Thanks for watching!

[@Meiral77]

Dear Sal, I just want to thank you for your very excellent tutorial on grouting - it helped me very much!🌹 It's so kind of you to share your skills learned over 35 years. That's a tremendous help to newcomers as well as skilled laborers who are always trying to perfect what they know! As for me this is my first time and I'm kinda scared, but with your awesome advice I think I'll be ok! God bless you!♥️ PS...your bathroom is gorgeous!

[@SalDiBlasi]

Glad it helped, thanks for watching my videos.

[@davidgrenda5783]

great video. Before watching your video I was about to take the grout back and get the old cement grout. Got afraid of all the comments about it hardening too quickly. Thanks for calming my nerves. Seems like all I need to do is sponge quickly but the pot life should be OK. Thanks

[@davidgrenda5783]

Just an update. At 65 degrees and using cold water, the pot life was well over 2 hours. Took about 45-60 minutes before I could sponge. Under those conditions, there was no problem doing 75 sq ft of 12" tile. Very easy for a first time DIY install under these conditions.

[@wetsaw7869]

Nice work

[@thomasnorthcastle4130]

I had absolute HELL to pay the first time I used Mapei FA. My clients cold water had some warm water infiltration due to a incorrectly installed tankless hot water heater. This caused RAPID setting. You are 100% correct about following the mixing instructions. I originally thought that there was to much water in my first mix and so I reduced the water in the second. YUGE mistake!!! After using old school grouts, the open working time is far greater than it is with Mapei FA. After grouting the back wall, I went back to wipe down and to my surprise, it had already set to the point of steel. It took me almost a week of painstakingly scraping the tile with razor blades to remove the surface grout and overage in the joints. It was one of my most embarrassing client jobs but I was able to get it corrected. I suggest using ice cold water to mix in the future.

[@SalDiBlasi]

The type of tile and substrate will also affect the time it takes to set, that is why I always check the grout as i apply it to see how quick it fires off. Once you get the feel for it, it becomes very easy to judge how long to let it sit. I suggest, grout a small section of wall tile, test the grout to see how it is going. if not ready for cleaning, do the same amount and test again, and so on. This will tell you if it is setting up fast or needs more time. By the time you get to the next wall, you will know how much you can spread before it goes off and needs to be cleaned. Same for floors.

[@thomasnorthcastle4130]

Sal DiBlasi thanks. I have never made that same mistake again.

[@vtbakerbuilder]

I bought some of those gloves. They are really good. Thanks for the recommendation.

[@truecrimejungle]

my buddy installs grout using just those gloves, no float lolololol

[@truecrimejungle]

the red poly grout float he uses is also very key to making it easier and less messy!

[@marioplouffe1752]

A real professional! Thanks

[@SalDiBlasi]

You're welcome!

[@danielchristofferson4355]

Very helpful- thank you!!

[@SalDiBlasi]

Glad it was helpful!

[@JW-pp8nj]

HeySal, loved the video but didn’t have the same results as you. South Texas and fast setting grout don’t mix. Had to work very fast and have my wife following behind cleaning. Came out good but was dead tired at the end. You are right about following the directions exact, threw out half of the first batch when it turned into a rock in the bucket. Will wait until winter when it gets into the 60’s for next project. Keep up the good videos!!

[@SalDiBlasi]

Ambient conditions always affect setting materials and grout. use a bucket of ice to keep the grout cool to give you more time.

[@Valid7228]

Сол,хорошая затирка! Я пользуюсь такой же.

[@andyeverett1957]

Looks like grouting gets your heart rate up? Thanks for sharing your hard earned expertise. Subscribed.

[@s.i]

Brilliant, learnt so much.

[@SalDiBlasi]

😊👍

[@joepolud6103]

great I love it...You're an animal ! I bet you a beer after all that work goes down real easy Congrats Cheers

[@truecrimejungle]

for us normies, we need a full 12 pack after grouting all that!

[@healthballnut]

Thank you Sal, I just finished my shower using this product. Thankfully I watched this video. It is a wonderful product and I am very pleased with how it turned out but you really need to understand how fast it can set up. I have been doing tile work for 40 years but always with cement grout, mostly sanded grout. I think I will be using this product from now on, no expensive sealer to deal with and this grout is fairly reasonable in cost, 21.00 CAD for a 10 pound bag, I used a high gloss 8x12 ceramic tile, and the house was 73 F and 48 % humidity. I followed the instructions to the letter and I went and bought the same mixer you used. The consistency turned out the same as the cement mixed grout I have always mixed just by experience. This was the first time I measured water for tile grout in over 20 years. I did the large wall of my shower in 10 minutes. I had set a timer for 15 minutes to check as the instructions said 15 to 30 minutes. At 10 minutes the first section of tile I had done was ready to go, so I wiped it down rinsed it and buffed it with a microfiber. It turned out beautiful. From start to finish of a 5 foot by 7 foot wall, I was done in 30 minutes. Incredible., cement based could have taken me at least 3 or 4 times as long. Thanks again for sharing your experience. You are the best tile teacher on You Tube. Your videos are not the highest quality, who cares, your information is first class. Take care and keep up the good work.

[@SalDiBlasi]

Thanks for watching my videos, sorry that the quality is not the best, I am working on that, but then again, I am a tile guy not a videographer.

[@healthballnut]

Sal, you have nothing to be sorry about. I was kidding about your video quality. Many people on You Tube making professional looking movies that are full of misinformation. Your home made movies show what an amazing tile setter you are.and you teach so many people the right way to do tile work. Thank you so much and I hope you have a great 2021.

[@SalDiBlasi]

😊👍

[@chrismanahan8172]

Great instruction.

[@rmp608]

Great video!! Your a true pros pro!!!

[@SalDiBlasi]

I appreciate that!

[@amycyclenut]

awesome info, thanks!

[@SalDiBlasi]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kennethmabus381]

Nice! I don't like people to watch me work or much of anything else. But sure glad you don't mind.

[@Cr3at1vem1nd]

Nice! tiling my floors right now over here in Sweden. You've been tremendously helpful in my diy projekt.

[@SalDiBlasi]

Happy to help!

[@mrsgoyen08]

OK, I just have to weigh in on this one. Im no tiler, Im a DIY'r but I have done quite a few tiling projects in the last couple of years. I have gotten the courage to do these with lots of help from KZbinrs specially Sal Di Blasi. I have learned a lot. I have done 2 bathrooms now and I just completed the Master bathroom.(well I have to clean up) Sal couldn't have done it without your guidance. I used Schluter water proofing again and some other products you have shared with your audience. This stuff however is not something I would recommend. Like I said I have done other bathrooms, similar tile not as big as this one. I read in the comments where a viewer asked you how many bags you used for this job and you said 2, so I went out and purchased 2. I followed directions as best I could reading the bag carefully and re-watching your video. WEEELLLL, damn grout is only usable within 10 minutes of being ready!!! viewers out there, take warning!! ok halt here, my shower is 3x5. I almost completed one of the 3' walls, and the grout in the bucket was hard as a rock! No I wasn't that slow I say maybe 10-15 minutes. So I got so angry I called the manufacturer who explained to me that I should have only mixed a third or less of the bag work that then mix so more, and on and on. So I purchased another bag and went at it again. Oh yeah by the way you have to clean it up within 10 minutes of putting it on, otherwise it becomes harder than the mortar! So you have to mix your grout wait 4 minutes, mix, wait ready set grout. Hurry, fast 1/2 of next 3' wall, clean the tools, specially the float, get the bucket with water clean the wall be careful this stuff left tiny tiny holes I dont know why. Then start all over again!! This is probably the last bathroom I will ever do and if I did do another one I would definitively NOT use this grout.

[@SalDiBlasi]

Sorry to hear you have had issues with the grout, I must however say that I have used it for quite some time, done countless bathrooms and floors with this grout and never had that problem, I have heard of people having this issue, but personally I have not.

[@mrsgoyen08]

@@SalDiBlasi thanks for your reply Sal. 7:01 pm and I just finished the bathroom!!!! Thanks again Sal, but you make it look easier than it is. I dont know how you do it. I wish I could have afforded you coming out to cali. Those who get their tile job done by you are very very fortunate.

[@SalDiBlasi]

I try to make my customers happy.

[@TURNKEYiNK]

Hey Sal. Been a long time since I watched one of your videos. KZbin brought you back in my suggestion list. Wonder if that means another tiling project is in my near future! Lol.

[@michaelcolascione2423]

With mapei ultracolor you can go as big as 3/4 of an inch grout joint. With ultracolor it doesn't have efflorescence common in sanded and unsanded, there isn't a sealer in ultracolor but there is a polymer called drop effect protecting it from staining from the inside out. Also it's important to use the exact amount of recommended water, dry mix it too mix up the aggregate and always mix it at a low speed when using a mixer. You can mix it by hand 3 parts powder- 1 part water. Also they have essentially a dye lot so if you have two bags you want to mix both bags together to ensure color consistency.

[@allpal3077]

Wow I learned a lot thank you.

[@SalDiBlasi]

Glad it was helpful!

[@MikeInPlano]

Really appreciate your videos Sal. I just finished relaying the tile in our master bathroom, compliments of a contractor who in retrospect didn't know the first thing about laying tile, and because I watched several of your videos I avoided a lot of pitfalls and mistakes. The floor tile is solid and I expect will remain so. Just one minor criticism. You make it look too darn easy! 🙂 I laid about 35 tiles yesterday and it was a beating. After watching this video I think grouting will be physically easier but no less time consuming.

[@SalDiBlasi]

😊👍

[@oldschoololdschool6041]

Thanks for the good info.

[@SalDiBlasi]

Thanks for watching my video.

[@FlyingSolo77]

I got almost two hours with the grout before it became unworkable (I had finished by then) starting when I began mixing. I first mixed the bag by turning it over and around to make sure that it was well dry mixed. I then mixed an entire bag for 4-5 minutes using exactly 1 qt of water (measured with 4 cups) in a 2 gallon bucket. There was no slake period specified on my bag so I started grouting immediately. I periodically stirred the mix with the small trowel mostly to see if it was starting to set. Temperature was in the 60's, not dry, not humid. I sponge wiped about 30 minutes after grouting with no problems.

[@SalDiBlasi]

Pretty Typical Install

[@jazzmaan707]

Great video. I was grouting very small areas, like 2 tiles at a time, so it took me a long time to do a small room. The haze has been the biggest problem. I'll have to try your technique tomorrow in a larger room and see if I can do the job quicker. Thanks for the tips. I'll be grouting some dark tile, so that haze should really be visible. Hopefully, I can do it with only a 2nd wash.

[@SalDiBlasi]

good luck

[@trevorfanning5264]

Sponge everything off, give it 30 min to dry. then go back with 2 parts water 1 part vinegar. really does great with grout haze.

[@tmleynekwilbeck3]

For those worrying about the ultracolor FA setting up too fast, I did the following yesterday and was working with it in the bucket for around 1.5 hours no problem and had great results. 1) Submerged my smaller grout bucket in a 5 gallon ice water bucket, and then put a lid on the 5 gallon bucket when I wasn't adding more grout. This kept the grout cold the whole time 2) Worked in small batches. I started with a quarter of a 10 lb bag. 3) Worked in small areas. The grout will set up faster depending on how porous your tile is, so this is a need. Mine was very porous and set in 5-10 minutes. 4) Keep your AC down. I'm in Florida and had to keep it kranked down to 72 to help with the working time. 5) Mix with cold water, and don't mix more than you need to. Overmixing can cause the grout to set up faster. I got all of this from information from the tech data sheet as well as the tip from Sal about submerging the bucket, which I think was one of the more important things to do. Thanks for the videos Sal 👍

[@thomasnorthcastle4130]

twilbeck1 that’s why I had suggested using ice cold water to mix but your idea is also great.

[@carolyncramer213]

Oh wow, thanks for this. I did a backsplash and almost ruined it, the grout set so fast. I'd like to still use it in my tub surround, but am going to be super careful. I will use your tips here!

[@267BISMARK]

great job. Just wondering if you use the fungi tool for caulking, its fantastic

[@R900DZ]

Good job

[@nekomancey4149]

I've been researching fine aggregate and their applications to grout (and other civil engineering) and I wanted to see what I came up with on my own before watching this to get a really good idea of its properties. More info than I have procured from my own experience, my installers, my contractors, and my own research (I love the john bridge forum)! I still have not been able to get a definitive answer as to the specific aggregate yet used in ultracolor plus FA (cannot deny the results, it is awesome stuff), but I expect it's something like steel slag or aluminum waste aggregate since it meets the tcna green standard with 15% recycled material. Curious about that product laticrete has almost ready for release. If you have any other sources of technical info feel free to share with another tile nerd! Thanks for the video!

[@SalDiBlasi]

This might interest you. kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3yki4GcZbp3ns0

[@JChappee]

[@jamesbilof4201]

Sal, you are the man !!!!! You hiring?

[@SalDiBlasi]

Sorry

[@carmenrojas4469]

Your the best

[@Alientraveler003]

You are so nice at it

[@truecrimejungle]

the GOAT!

[@Dggb2345]

Thanks for the “real deal!”

[@SalDiBlasi]

Thanks for watching my video.

[@Louthemailman]

Hey sal love your vids u are a true pro... u ever try the rubber buckets they make a small bucket for grout and a large bucket for thinset.. very durable

[@SalDiBlasi]

yes I have several

[@FatGuyDad]

Thank you for this video. Im installing a matte porcelain tile that has some texture. Using this same grout. Do you recommend sealing beforehand?

[@jonathancuningham1577]

Hi Sal, thanks for the video(s). Curious if you grouted that horizontal transition between the shower wall tile and the shower floor tile? Can't really tell but it appears you didn't caulk it first? Should this be caulked or grouted?

[@fredericklegrande4564]

Thank you Sal❤️❤️❤️🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@SalDiBlasi]

You bet!

[@subarutime5089]

How do you stay clean i look like a baker when im done .

[@sirjohnpiraan1662]

Hi Sal great videos what kind of grout can you recommend for water prone balcony area?

[@antonsalivon4079]

Hello Sal, thank you for all the videos you have made. I found them very helpful when doing my small DIY projects. I assume you are a very busy man nevertheless I am asking for your advice as I have an issue with Mapei Ultracolor Plus FA grout. I applied the grout about 5 months ago for shower walls, 2 mm spacing for 12x24 porcelain tiles. . The air temperature and humidity were Ok for the application at the moment. I measured the right amount of water to mix the grout and applied it on the walls according to the manufacturer's recommendations. I had done that before so it was not my first experience with the grout. We started using the shower after 5 days after the grout application. Every time when taking a shower I could smell the strong smell of a freshly mixed grout. The smell disappeared few weeks later but I noticed the grout started to be washed out. Slowly but surely. I used a wooden stick to scrape the grout off and I found it pretty loose in comparison to mapei keracolor grout i used a while ago in another shower. I wonder what can be done to fix the issue. I thought I could scrape off the grout as much as possible and apply mapei keracolor grout over Mapei Ultracolor Plus FA. Please advice. Thank you

[@Lexicon740iL]

This looks like the same wavy wall tile I'm about to install. Thanks for another great video Sal! Any tips for grouting or transitioning the inside corners or will the caulk seam always be wavy and irregular? Also did you use Schluter strips on the edge transition into drywall? If so do those planes get grouted in of finished with caulk. Thanks again for taking the time to share your knowledge of your trade with us Sal!

[@rktile8966]

Sal, how did you caulk the floor/wall plane change then grout shower floor without messing up the caulk joint?

[@vapdivrr5656]

If you using an old fashion 4x4 or 6x6 dal or AO ceramic or a ceramic subway do you still stack without a spacer or schimm? Or do you space them with a full 1/16 in order to use the new grouts? I have always stacked these types of tiles with just a butt joint thats built in (the little side lugs) if doing a subway with no lugs i barely space it, maybe 1/32. Same with a butt joint marble, so with those I still use unsanded with additive. What I tend to see now is all tiles are set to 1/16 to use these grouts

[@paulcalder2792]

Great work as always Sal. When grouting porcelain tiles, how large of an area do you do at one time, before waiting for the grout to firm up, so you can wash it?

[@SalDiBlasi]

Depends on the tile, constantly check the grout to see how it is firming up and make a judgment call. For the tile in this bathroom, the tile was very prouse, so I could only do a small section at a time, but the floor was porcelain, so I did the whole thing and then had to wait 15 minutes for the grout to firm up.

[@robn6270]

Thanks Sal. just wondering if you have the caulking part of this video... I saw when you grouted the floor it also hit the corners where it meets the wall. Did you have to remove that grout before caulking (with silicone)?

[@tomharper5383]

Hi Sal, Thank you for another remarkable video. I am installing the same tile in a shower next week, going to use a flat porcelain tile in the valve wall and opposite wall so I have a flat surface to install the shower door channel. Do you see an issue with trim sitting flat on this type of tile with the raised textured surface (ie, the valve trim and door mounting hardware)? The client wanted the wave tile in the whole shower, but I persuaded to use wave tile only on back wall as an accent.

[@SalDiBlasi]

Thew trim always has some kind of gasket, I don't see a problem installing them.

[@rhr2005]

How long do you have to apply the grout once it’s mixed? It sounds like you want to mix the whole bag at once but I’m concerned it will start to set up in the bucket before I get it all applied.

[@jragonwriter6316]

Thanks Grampa Sal!

[@darrenthompson8376]

informative and nice job. did you get all that grouting done from one ten pound bag? I'm about to start about 90 sq feet of 8" tile with 1/8 spacing and one 10 lb bag.