Over the years, I’ve tackled a few tiling projects and they have been some of my favorite DIY projects in my homes. It’s amazing to look around a room you just completed a tile project in and feeling that satisfaction looking at beautiful newly installed tiles. I still remember the feeling looking at our blue flower tile that was part of my first bathroom renovation!
There are also a lot of things to consider when starting a tiling project. Today, I want to share some information specifically around grout such as:
- What grout actually is
- How grout can impact your design
- How long does it take for grout to dry
- How you can make your grout dry faster
- How soon you can walk on newly installed tile
Note: This post may contain affiliate links, you can find more information in my disclosures here.
What is grout?
Grout is made from cement, aggregate, and other ingredients like sand and water. It’s a water-resistant, dense, and uniformly-colored material that is typically used to fill gaps or reinforce existing structures. Grout is essentially the material used to fill the cracks or voids in natural or man-made materials like tile. It locks new tiles into place, keeps out water, and gives floors and walls a beautiful finished look. There are different types of grout like: sanded grout, unsanded grout, epoxy grout and some of them require a grout sealer at the end while others don’t.
Can you use grout as a design element?
Yes, you can definitely use grout as a design element! One of the most popular examples is to use black grout with white subway tile. In that case, the grout lines are pronounced and the grout is a key design element.
When I was tiling the primary bathroom shower, I wasn’t sure which grout color to pick so I decided to make a few mock ups to help me determine the grout color that would give me the final look I was going for in the shower:
Creating these mock ups of the shower wall tiles was the best way to visualize the final look. I ended up going with the bright white option and used Mapei’s Avalanche. It’s one of my favorite grout colors and it gave me a clean look with subtle movement which I really love:
Can you believe the difference the white grout makes here?
What is the difference between grout setting, grout drying and grout curing?
The terms setting, drying, and curing are all related and used when talking about the process of grouting. However, it’s important to understand the difference between each of them as they all refer to a different part of the grouting process during a tiling project:
- Setting: The process during which grout is put in place and applied between tiles, then the grout is given enough time to firm up in the joints sufficiently (typically about 15 to 30 minutes) before any excess grout is washed off
- Drying: The process during which the grout dries to the touch
- Curing: The process during which a molecular change occurs in grout, that results in a strong adhesive bond
How long does tile grout take to dry?
Typically, grout takes 24-72 hours to dry. The exact drying time for grout will depend on various factors, including:
- type of grout
- how it was mixed
- amount of water used
- the amount applied
- air circulation, and
- environmental conditions such as temperature, and humidity of the space (as a general rule, grout will take longer to dry in spaces and climates with higher humidity levels)
Before exposing grout to water, most manufacturers recommend allowing for a grout cure time of three to seven days but you should always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and guidelines regarding the grout drying time and cure times during your tiling project based on the specific grout type you’re using.
Example: Mapei’s Ultracolor Plus FA All-in-one Grout
I’ve used Mapei’s Ultracolor Plus FA All-in-one Grout in most of my tiling projects. It’s an all-in-one rapid-setting grout for joint widths from 1/16-in to 3/4-in. I highly recommend it, it’s just so easy to use because it mixes quickly and no sealing is required! I also like that you can mix as much as you need of this specific grout and then store the rest of the unused bag until you’re ready to use it for another project.
The instructions say that food traffic is allowed after only 3 hours of drying time. However, they also say that for at least 3 days after completion, you should protect the grout from rain and freezing, and not to immerse the installation in water.
How to make grout dry faster
If you need to start walking on your tile faster and want to reduce the drying time of grout, I recommend looking into different types of grout and considering quick-setting grout like the Mapei one I shared above. This may be able to speed up the grout drying time and the grout curing time compared to other products.
Here are a few other things that can help speed up the drying time for grout:
- Improve Air Circulation: You can open windows and doors to improve air circulation and ventilation in your space.
- Adjust Temperature: Grout will typically dry faster in warmer temperatures. However, extremely high temperatures can have a negative impact on your tiling project and room temperature is what most manufacturer’s recommend during tile installation.
- Decrease Humidity: Consider using a dehumidifier to adjust the humidity levels. High humidity can slow the drying process and curing process especially in tropical climates.
However, even with all of these in mind, don’t expect any drastic differences. It’s always a good idea to be patient and avoid rushing when grouting. My advice is to stick to the manufacturer’s instructions and guidelines regarding the grout drying times and grout curing times. Not allowing ample time for your grout to properly dry and fully cure could potentially ruin your new grout and all the hard work. It’s best to plan for an appropriate dry time when coming up with a timeline for your grouting project as part of your tiling project.
How long before you can walk on installed tile after grout?
You might be wondering how long to stay off tile after grouting. The average drying time for grout is about 24-72 hours but grout dry times vary based on the specific product you’re using. The Mapei grout I mentioned earlier only requires a grout drying time of 3 hours before the floor tiles can be walked on. This might be a good option if you’re grouting a high foot traffic area that can’t be blocked off for an extended amount of time or where it’s hard to avoid stepping on the grout joints. Otherwise, walking on a freshly tiled floor with grout that hasn’t dried can cause shifting of the tiles and ultimately disturb the grout. This would ultimately impact the floor’s overall appearance and structural integrity.
I hope this overview on grout and how long to let grout dry was helpful!
If you’re getting ready for a tiling project, check out my post about mortar and my post comparing two different tiling methods including one that is an alternative to traditional tile adhesive.
Tina
Leave a Reply