White grout for floor tiles

[Dave500]

Hi
How do you keep White grout clean on floor tiles?
Thanks

[royaloakcarpentry]

You can seal it and clean the floor on a regular basis. Epoxy would have been a better choice in white for the grout.

[Dave500]

Hi, I haven't laid it yet- White tiles and swmbo wants White grout- what do you suggest?

[royaloakcarpentry]

What sort of white tiles are they, ceramic etc etc??

[Dave500]

I think they're marble...

[royaloakcarpentry]

You can seal the tiles after laying and grouting but make sure you give them a good cleaning first with a grout releaser, then seal tiles and grout with sealer following manufacturers instructions.

Never done marble before but do know it scratches easily and an unsanded grout should be used.

http://www.ncdirect.co.uk/pdf/tilersgrout.pdf

There are obviously other makes available too.

[Dave500]

Cheers ROC, I'll confirm exactly what tiles they are a bit further down the line, got to sort out underfloor heating first- no doubt I'll be posting more queries later...

[Rookery]

If you're putting marble over under floor heating, you should include an uncoupling membrane too and dont forget movement joint(s). What is the area? What is the substrate? Size of tile etc?
Also be advised that sealing the grout and tiles doesn't make them stain proof, it just gives them some stain resistance.

[Dave500]

Interesting- the size to be tiled is approximately 3m x 5m, the substrate is concrete and I believe the tiles are 305mm square. But nowhere else have I found the reference to an uncoupling membrane?

[royaloakcarpentry]

Interesting- the size to be tiled is approximately 3m x 5m, the substrate is concrete and I believe the tiles are 305mm square. But nowhere else have I found the reference to an uncoupling membrane?

probably because your question has referred to the grout colour and not problems with the sub floor, so most will assume you are okey with everything else.............hence no mention of the membrane.

[Dave500]

No, it just evolved to this through the thread- ok, I've done tiling before, but not with marble and not with underfloor heating- the heating is of the electric type not hot water; what else will I need to consider?

[Colour Republic]

Insulation boards

SLC over the heating cable, this is to stop the wire getting damaged by the trowel when tiling unless you are careful then it can be omitted but you ease of install i would slc

so

Insulation boards
UFH
SLC
Ditra
Marble


what is the subfloor? concrete?

[Dave500]

Yes concrete. I was going to use 10mm insulation boards after sealing the concrete. Fix them down with flex adhesive, lay the underfloor heating on top of the boards, fix the tiles over the heating again with flex adhesive. Anywhere close?

[Rookery]

Insulation boards

SLC over the heating cable, this is to stop the wire getting damaged by the trowel when tiling unless you are careful then it can be omitted but you ease of install i would slc
so
Insulation boards
UFH
SLC
Ditra
Marble

The only things I would add to the above are:
1. Hoover then prime the sub-floor. Mapei Primer G or BAL APD or equivalent.
2. Use white flexible adhesive to fix the tiles. Marble is translucent, grey adhesive may show shadows.
3. Dont forget a perimeter movement joint, filled with silicone.
4. When finished, condition the ufh correctly.

[Dave500]

Thanks to one and all,