BedStuy Reno
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October 3, 2007
Grouting the Shower
First wall of grouting I did I messed up. Using non-sanded white grout, I follwed our tiling book's instructions (Tiling 1-2-3). They make it look so easy. Just 4 simple images on one page with minimal text, and you're done. You can even work with manicured hands or your wedding ring on. No problem.
But there was a problem. The book said after spreading on the grout and scraping off the bulk of the excess with the grout float to wait at least 15 minutes for the grout to harden enough that you can't make an indentation in it with a finger nail before sponging off the rest of the excess. Big mistake. I waited, and when I went to wipe off the excess, I couldn't. It was just on there. It had hardened. This was on the sink wall, and I managed to get half the tiles looking good, but the by time I worked my way down the wall, the excess grout was not going anywhere. So then I got out an x-acto. I was able to actually scrape the excess off and make the gaps between the tiles look good, but it was a painstakingly slow process.
When I went to do the shower, I didn't wait. I moved much more quickly - spread the grout on with grout float, us float to scrape off excess, and then immediately start sponging off remaining excess. It worked. I've included pictures of the first shower wall I did with a before and after. In the bottom image you see that the back wall of the shower is complete. It's hard to see grout in a small photograph though.
Comments
i have been folllowing your renovations and absolutely luv it. in the process myself now. where did u get your tile from? what type of vanity do u plan on using to compliment the beautuful tile.
Posted by: guest at October 4, 2007 7:40 AM
Tile came from Nemo tile in the city. We were able to get a good price because my company does a lot of work with them. Even so, neither the wall or floor tiles we chose are very expensive in terms of what they offer. Pretty much the most basic stuff they have.
As for vanity, we have already bought our sinks and cabinets at Ikea - over a year ago, which is crazy - and they are waiting in boxes to be assembled. They are very straight forward, clean lines. We're tying everything together with the faucets. They're sort of old school looking, and will match up with the faucet on the free-standing tub.
Posted by: guest at October 4, 2007 9:31 AM
I made that exact mistake with my shower stall I did this summer. It was hell on earth, I feel for you!
Nice shower stall, love the shelves!
Posted by: guest at October 19, 2007 10:09 PM
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