Grouting a shower is a job that requires patience and attention to detail.
In this article, we will walk you through the steps of how to grout a shower in your bathroom so that it looks great and lasts for years to come.
How to Grout Shower Tile Successfully
Follow these steps to get started with your bathroom renovation and learn how to grout your shower area properly.
Step 1: Clean the tile with a degreaser or vinegar
Start your tile project by cleaning up your kitchen backsplash tile or floor tile well. You can use a degreaser or vinegar and water solution to remove any oils, dirt, or other contaminants on the surface of your wall tile.
Make sure all residue is removed from the tile joints with a damp sponge before moving on to the grouting process. Also, check out this guide on how to retile a shower if you need more information about this.
Step 2: Apply and spread grout
If you are mixing your own grout powder, follow the manufacturer's instructions. Usually, the right consistency after mixing powdered grout and water is similar to creamy peanut butter.
Mix grout and apply about 1/4 inch layer of grout to the side of a sponge or a trowel. Spread the grout mixture evenly throughout your shower area. You can also you a grout float to really get into the grout joints. However, note that you should not spread out all of the grout at once; this will make the job harder because you have to work faster before it sets up on your tiles. Grout tile in sections so that it can set in one session (about half an hour.)
Step 3: Wipe up the excess grout
After spreading, wipe up any excess shower tile grout with another sponge. Make sure there is no visible residue remaining on your tiles. Use an old toothbrush if needed for hard-to-reach spots. Let it sit for 10 minutes.
Step 4: Scrap grout lines with a rubber grout scraper
After letting it sit for 10 minutes, you can start scraping off this excess grout material from the sides of your tiles using a rubber grout scraper. This will help make sure that there is no visible residue left over on your tile surface after wiping with water and rinsing.
Step 5: Let dry for 24-48 hours before sealing
Finally, once you have scraped all excess material off and all residue is removed, you should use a sponge to wipe down the entire shower area one last time thoroughly to remove any excess water or residue. After at least 24 hours have passed since the last step, then you can seal or spray paint the grout.
Step 6: Repeat on any remaining grout
You will likely need to repeat steps 2-5 a couple of times until the entire shower area is completely covered with grout. This may take 1 or more sessions depending on the size of your shower and whether you are doing it by yourself or with someone else.
Step 7: Clean up your workspace afterward
Once you finish grouting, make sure that all tools and materials used in this process are cleaned up well for future use. Wipe down any surfaces that were used such as your table and countertops used to mix products and spread grout etc. Rinse out your sponge thoroughly as well before storing it away somewhere clean so that bacteria does not start growing in it.
Step 8: Seal your shower tiles
At this point, it is best to seal your shower tiles with a clear sealant or water-resistant spray paint once you are done grouting. This will make sure that the grout stays clean and lasts longer in your bathroom before any stains start appearing on it or any leaks occur.
How long does it take to grout a shower?
The amount of time it takes to grout a shower will vary depending on many factors. One important factor is having the right tools and materials, as not all grouting products are created equal.
Other factors that influence how long this process takes include whether you have help from another person or if you are doing it alone. Also, the size of your shower area plays a big role in determining things like how much product to use and how much time is needed for drying, etc.
However, the good news is that once you get into a rhythm with your grout job, it can go pretty fast especially if you're working well with another person who can assist in handling things like mixing up grouting material while also scraping off excess residue after spreading.
I will say that doing a quality grout job is not something you can just bang out in one session, especially if it's your first time. It takes several steps and plenty of practice to get things right. So don't be discouraged if you need to work through a couple of trial runs with this job before getting the hang of it.
What tools and materials should I use for my project?
When grouting a shower, there are many different sorts of tools and materials you will need to get the job done.
Here's what I recommend using on your project:
- A couple of sponge brushes or disposable paint rollers for spreading grout and cleaning up afterward (make sure these are new ones that have never been used for anything else)
- Plastic bucket to mix up grout material in
- Rubber gloves if you don't want to get your hands dirty and would rather not risk getting painful chemical burns
- Grout float tool (needle nose pliers can also work depending on how big your tiles are)
- Grout mixing container/bucket – a good one will have a grid inside of it for making sure I spread grout evenly.
- White tile caulk or clear silicone sealant to seal the shower tiles once you're done grouting
- Your preferred grout color is the same color your shower walls
- Grout float
- Pre-mixed sanded grout or unsanded grout
- Grout finisher or sealer additive
- Caulking gun
- Painter's tape
Why does it matter what type of grout I use when grouting a shower?
The type of grout that you use to fill in the spaces between your shower tiles matters a great deal because some kinds are better than others.
If you want your grout job to last as long as possible, then you need to invest in a quality brand of grout that won't crack and fall out easily.
You can either go with white or clear grout, but I strongly recommend the latter because it will look more professional and clean.
Final thoughts on how to grout a shower
As you can see, grouting a shower in your bathroom is more than just mixing up some colored material and spreading it around the space.
The whole process involves quite a bit of prep work as well as cleaning steps that come after you're done with the actual grouting portion of the job.
This article should have helped illustrate all the necessary steps involved in doing so, however, if you are still unsure about whether or not you can handle this project on your own, then I recommend hiring a professional to do it for you.
