Tile and Grout Preparation

• Ceramic tiles generally are set with grout lines of 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch (as opposed to natural stone tiles with 1/16th-inch lines). The wider grout lines require "sanded'' grout, simply meaning that there's sand in the mix, which will give it more stability. Mix your sanded grout with water in a bucket with a 6-inch putty knife, getting it to the consistency of cake frosting. Let it "slake'' in the bucket for 10 minutes, which allows the chemicals in the grout to meld. Re-stir it after 10 minutes, and you're ready to grout.
  
  

Application

• Starting at the top of the wall in one corner, apply your grout using a grout "float'' (a flat rubber trowel). Scoop up a big glob of grout from the bucket and press it directly to the wall in short, smooth sweeps. Working in sections of four or five square feet, run the long side of the float along the wall at a 30-degree angle to press it into the grout lines while squeezing it off the tile face. Let the grout sit in the lines for a minute as you apply your grout to the next section. Go back over the first section with a damp sponge, wiping off the excess grout from the tile face while smoothing it out in the lines.
  
  

Finishing and Sealing

• As the grout sets over the next several hours, you will see gray film form over the tiles from the grout residue. Wipe it down repeatedly (but gently). If the grout lines aren't sufficiently smooth and even, run the curved edge of a screwdriver along them to smooth them out before they dry. Seal your grout after it completely sets (anywhere from a few days to a month; consult the packaging). Apply the sealant to the grout lines with the sponge applicator on the sealant bottle or with an artist's paintbrush.