Grout Paddle Mixer

• Some grout installers prefer to mix grout by hand with a trowel, others use a paddle mixer and electric drill. The paddle mixer method is easier and works better when mixing larger quantities of grout. The trowel method is fine for small jobs. A paddle mixer consists of a steel rod that fits into the chuck of an electric drill. Attached to the opposite end are two open rectangles, or paddles. The paddle's outside edge has a twisted shape similar to one blade of a propeller. The mixer is rotated at a slow speed between 100 to 150 rpm until the grout mixture is smooth. After allowing it to "slake," or stand, for two to five minutes, the grout is mixed again.
  
  

Grout Float

• Grout floats look like thick, rectangular trowels with rubber or epoxy bottoms. The installer moves the grout around the floor or wall with the float, pressing the grout into the spaces between tiles. The installer moves the float diagonally across the tiles so that the float spans the joints and doesn't fall into them. At the same time he holds the float at a 45 degree angle with respect to the floor which allows the bottom of the float to move the grout around. The result is a smooth, even joint. The float also keeps the tiles from having a build-up of grout on them. The grout is moved off the tiles and into the grout joints. This makes cleanup and finishing easier.
  
  

Grout Bag

• Grout bags are essentially flexible funnels made from cloth. Usually they are used when the spaces between tiles is larger than the usual 1/4 inch. They have an appearance similar to a pastry decorating or filling bag. A metal tip is inserted into the bag and the bag filled with grout. The installer moves along the grout spaces, filling them with grout from the bag. The grout still requires tooling and smoothing to make it look good. In some cases, a more liquid mixture may be used to fill the spaces without much smoothing or tooling. A grout bag in the hands of an experienced installer can keep the tiles cleaner, resulting in less cleanup time.
  
  

Bucket And Grout Sponge

• The bucket and sponge have two purposes. While the tile is being grouted, the installer will use the sponge to clean the tiles as he works. He rinses the sponge in the water and uses it to clean the tiles, but avoids the grout between the tiles. The sponge is also used to tool the grout and to smooth it and shape it between the tiles. This operation is performed after the grout begins to firm up. At the same time, the installer cleans the tiles again. There should be no grout left on the tiles after it hardens except for a fine film that is easily polished away.
  
  

Tile Cleaning Pads

• Tile cleaning pads are similar to pot scrubbing pads, except they are coarser and at the same time less abrasive. They are designed to remove the fine haze left behind after grouting. The installer lightly rubs the pads on the tiles to polish them and remove any remaining grout haze that was left behind. He may also use a soft cloth after the cleaning pad to give the tile a final polish.