grouting mix

[Savo007]

I have tiled the floor of a large basement with standard ceramic tiles (not very thick. I will be grouting with a mix of sand and cement. Does the sand have to be a special grade? Is a three to one mix appropriate? Can a dry mix be applied by brush and then sprinkled with water, so as to save time, or is this just used with outside paving slabs?

 

[Mudster]

Why not use a wide joint grout?

Whats the thinking behind the sand/cement?

 

[Savo007]

I understood that a mortar mix was a commonly used alternative to grout. Apart from this I have a lot of sand and cement left over from putting down the screed. This will go to waste if I use grout and grout is quite expensive. The basement floor is 125 sq mtrs.

 

[Mudster]

A quality grout will set far harder than sand/cement.

Ardex C2 grey will be about £5 for an 11kg bag and you'll need maybe 7 or 8 bags for 125sq/m with a 5mm joint.

 

[Savo007]

Thank you for advice. I have now finished the floor using grouting mix as recommended. I am very pleased with the result and the cost was much less than I had expected.