--- title: "How to Grout Tile on Floors and Walls" description: "Grouting tile is a task that handy DIYers can tackle in an afternoon. Learn the steps for how to grout—and get a list of all the gear you need for the job." date: "2019-03-04" modified: "2025-05-01" authors: - name: "Kit Stansley" job_title: "Guest Contributor" link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/kit-stansley/" - name: "Gretchen Heber" job_title: "Contributing Writer & Editor" link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/gretchen-heber/" url: "https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-grout-tile/" categories: - "DIY" - "Flooring" - "Interior" - "Skills & Techniques" tags: - "Homeadvisor" - "How To" - "how-to" - "News" - "tile" - "tiling" --- # How to Grout Tile on Floors and Walls ![Closeup of grout float pressing grout between tiles, with a container of grout in the background.]() *Photo: Tom Fenenga for BobVila.com* Applying grout is the final step in laying or adhering tile. It’s a messy process but a satisfying one: Yes, grout gives newly laid tiles a finished look. What’s more important, grout acts as a buffer between tiles and keeps them from moving around and chipping. Grout also protects the substrate under the tiles from water damage, and keeps dirt and debris from falling between the cracks in tiles. ## What’s the difference between sanded and unsanded grout? Sanded grout contains fine sand, which enables stability and resistance to cracking. Because of its durability, this type of grout is typically used in floor tiling projects. [Unsanded grout](), on the other hand, is held together with polymers; it’s used for joints that are narrower than ⅛ inch and on tiles—such as limestone or marble—that might be scratched by sanded grout. When it comes to sanded versus unsanded grout, however, “The application methods are the same,” says Sean Chavoustie, a tile installer based in Austin, Texas. “Unless the tile could be scratched by the sand, I normally just use the sanded grouts on everything.” ![Materials needed for grouting tile, including bucket, sponge, grout, grout float, and more.]() *Photo: Tom Fenenga for BobVila.com* ### Tools & Materials Bobvila.com may earn a commission from purchases made through these links. - [Large plastic bucket]() - [Putty knife]() - [Grout mixer drill attachment]() - [Grout float]() - [Grout sponge]() - [Caulk gun]() - [Towel or rag ]() - [Broom or handheld vacuum]() - [Painter’s tape (optional)]() - [Sanded grout]() - [Grout sealer]() - [Caulk]() ## Project Overview ***Working Time****: 1 to several hours* ***Total Time****: 1 to several hours* ***Skill Level****: Intermediate* ***Estimated Cost****: $25 to several hundred dollars, depending on size of project* ## Before You Begin ![Woman inserts spacers between newly laid tile floor, with grout and a grout float nearby.]() *Photo: Tom Fenenga for BobVila.com* After you [install tile]() on a floor or vertical surface, ensure that they are fully set and properly spaced. Tiles need to set for 24 to 28 hours before you can begin the grouting process. Gather all the grouting supplies together, and tape off any areas that you don’t want to get dirty. ## 8 Steps to Grouting Tile Floors and Walls ### Step 1: Choose the right grout for your project. ![Person holds swatch of grout colors near beige tile floor with spacers between tiles.]() *Photo: Tom Fenenga for BobVila.com* Decide if sanded or unsanded grout works best for your project. And then select a color that will work best with your tile and overall decor. Many DIYers opt for a darker grout color for floor tile in heavily trafficked areas. Grout around wall tiles will likely stay cleaner longer, so it’s easier to get away with a lighter shade. You’ll need to make sure you purchase the right amount of grout, which varies by the type and size of the project. Use a reliable [grout calculator]() to help you figure out how much grout you need. ### Step 2: Mix the grout. ![Person using a metal putty knife to stir ready-to-use tile grout.]() *Photo: Tom Fenenga for BobVila.com* When [mixing grout](), follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the grout packaging. Chavoustie suggests starting with less water than recommended, and then adding more water bit by bit until the mixture is a “cake batter-like consistency.” He says he mixes grout “a little stiffer for walls, and a little looser for floors.” Use a putty knife or stirrer stick to mix the grout. Or, to speed up the process considerably, fit your drill with a grout mixer attachment. If you bought ready-to-use grout, use a putty knife or stir stick to stir the grout in the container. ### Step 3: Apply grout to the tiled area. ![Woman uses grout float to apply grout in an arc across beige floor tiles.]() *Photo: Tom Fenenga for BobVila.com* ”Start with a small amount of grout in a small area,” cautions Chavoustie. “Don’t let it get away from you!” When you’ve determined the area you’re going to focus on—we recommend a 3-foot by 3-foot section—follow this process: 1. For flooring, pour one to two quarts of mixed grout out of your bucket onto the tiles. On vertical surfaces, use a scooping motion in the bucket of mixed grout to load up the grout onto the grout float, a smoothing tool that features a flat and mostly-firm rubber pad. 2. Hold a rubber grout float at a 45-degree angle. 3. Using the float, spread the grout over the tiles in large arcs. ### Step 4: Use a grout float to press the grout into the space between tiles. ![Person uses grout float to press grout between tiles on floor.]() *Photo: Tom Fenenga for BobVila.com* Move the grout float across the spaces between the tile at a diagonal to fill the grout line. If you’re grouting a vertical installation, like a shower wall or a backsplash, apply the grout in an upward motion to avoid spilling. Do a second swipe over the top to smooth out the grout. ### Step 5: Use a sponge to wipe away excess grout. ![Person uses grout sponge to wipe grout off floor tile.]() *Photo: Tom Fenenga for BobVila.com* How long should you let grout dry before sponging? Let the grout set for 15 to 30 minutes, and then wipe up the excess with a dense grout sponge soaked in water. (If you think it’s going to take you longer than 30 minutes to grout all of the tiles and be ready to move onto cleanup, you might have to work in smaller sections.) Wait 3 hours and do it again, this time making sure there isn’t excess grout on the tile or outside of the grout line. Keep your bucket of water close to rinse the sponge, and change the water as often as necessary. ### Step 6: Wipe the floor or wall with a dry towel. ![Woman wipes tile floor with yellow microfiber towel.]() *Photo: Tom Fenenga for BobVila.com* No matter how thorough you are about cleaning up excess grout with a sponge, there will usually be grout haze on the tile once it’s dry. You might be tempted to use a wet cloth to wipe it off, but that will put you in a vicious grout-wiping cycle. A better idea for cleaning tile grout is to use a dry towel to [remove grout haze](), at which point you can sweep up the dust with a broom or shop vac. ### Step 7: Apply grout sealer. ![Person applies grout sealer to grout between beige tiles.]() *Photo: Tom Fenenga for BobVila.com* Grout usually takes about 48 hours to fully dry. Once it’s completely cured, you’ll want to [seal the tile grout](). The best way is to apply a commercial [grout sealer](), a silicon-based liquid that seeps into the grout, helping to prevent moisture and [stains]() from penetrating. Sealants can be applied just to the grout lines with an applicator, or sprayed over the entire tiled area. The former is more accurate and effective, while the latter is easier. ### Step 8: Caulk along walls and corners. Finish your project by applying caulk, which acts as both a seam sealant and an expansion joint. Run a bead of caulk along the inside corners of your tiling project, and also apply caulk to places where the tile adjoins another surface, such as walls, baseboards, countertops, or bathtub. You don't have to do it yourself Hire for grouting ASAP. Get free, no-commitment project estimates from tile experts near you. [Find Pros Now]() [+]() ## FAQs ## Author Kit Stansley writes about serious DIY, the love of tools, and what it's like to live in a garage while building a house in her spare time at [DIYDiva.net]().