Laying tiles is a lengthy process that requires experience. In addition, after work, you will have to carefully work on the seams. The first thing to do is pick up the tool. The trowel for grouting has a different look and material to create. It is worth choosing your tool depending on the direction of work. What should be a putty knife and where is it used? Consider in our article today.
Rubber tool for joints
If tile is laid, then to create a finished look, it is worth rubbing the seams. In order not to spoil the perception of the coating, you have to carefully work out each step and here you can not do without a spatula for grouting. The speed of the procedure, as well as the quality, depends on how correctly the tool is selected. There are various options for sale, it is worth choosing for grouting.
There is a difference - this is not a metal or painting tool, but a piece of solid rubber. The edges of such a device are cut for clarity of forcing each seam. Due to this material, bending occurs. The result is the following:
- Grouting is done carefully, carefully, which is important for decorative surfaces. So they are not damaged.
- Because of this design, it’s easy to get into inaccessible places. As a result, the surface is monolithic and beautiful.
- The hand does not get tired of carrying out the closure of each distance between the tiles.
Many professionals choose a rubber spatula with a long working distance. Its width can reach up to 800 millimeters. For people without experience, such equipment will make it faster and easier to cope with the task. It is such a spatula for grouting is considered the most convenient. Although sometimes you need to use a very small tool, the working width of which will be up to 40 millimeters. It is suitable for places where it is difficult to get close and perform finishing work.
A pen
The rubber spatula has a handle made of plastic or wood, so it is easier to work with. In this case, you can overwrite the joints with any mass - epoxy or cement. Although the spatula does not always have a handle, the choice depends on the master.
Where is the tool used?
Rubber spatula is used in many areas, but most often in construction. How masters use it:
- To overwrite the seams on tiles, tiles, etc.
- For cleaning the remains of construction compounds.
- In the process of finishing the coating.
It is important to choose the right spatula for grouting, because it is restoration work where you can not scratch the surface and do other damage. The size is selected depending on what is the area of the tile. Masters call such a tool a consumable item, so when performing the operation, it’s worth keeping a few more of these elements in stock.
Spatula requirements
The choice is based on the quality of the tool, although there is an opinion that rubber does not deteriorate quickly and has a long service life. In practice, it becomes clear that some of the nuances affect the work process and speed of execution:
- What a pen. It should be comfortable, and also not numb with putty mixture. In addition, spontaneous pressing and excessive filling of seams should not occur in the work. It’s good when the master does not have to push too hard.
- Performance enhancement. Slight pressure on the handle, but at the same time high-quality filling of the seam helps speed up work.
- The canvas with its density and shape contributes to the rapid filling of the inter-tile seam, as well as getting rid of excess composition on the surface. In the course of work, the entire surface should be filled with a solution, without forming cracks and indentations.
There is a division by type of canvas:
- Rubber
- Rubber.
- Multilayer rubber.
The visual difference is not always visible, but by the service life it will be clear which is better. Rubber is a special material that does not wear out, does not decompose, and does not get wet either. What can not be said about rubber, which eventually deteriorates, may burst or break. Therefore, it is worth choosing a better spatula for grouting tile seams.
What kind of tool is suitable?
In construction stores, the assortment is large and sometimes difficult to find the right model. There is a certain division into types. The most suitable is a rubber trowel for grouting. Grouping occurs according to several factors:
- Shape - tools where the working surface is made in the form of a trapezoid are most in demand. There is just a rectangular one, the same, but with rounded edges, wedge-shaped and in the form of a figure eight.
- Color separation - black and white. But there is one feature. If the first option, then the tool will be with increased stiffness, which allows you to quickly seal the cracks, but white is better for a delicate finish.
- By handles - most often it is made in the form of a trapezoid, according to the masters, the most convenient handle is a bracket. It is more convenient with it, but the price of the tool is much higher. On sale there are fully rubber or silicone spatulas for grouting tiles, where wooden handles or plastic are used. But the choice is based on the intensity of use. Particular attention is paid to ease of use.
- By appointment - grout and flashing. Each procedure is performed in a special way.
To lay the tiles in full, you should buy a set of spatulas for grouting. Because there are hard-to-reach places where a standard tool cannot be dealt with. If the grout is liquid, then it is easy to work with any tool. With increased density, this procedure is complicated.
Which tool is most convenient?
A lot depends on the form. What to look for:
- If the working surface is small, but at the same time a comfortable handle, it will not be convenient to work with this spatula. It will take a long time to completely make a seam on a tile, for example, a mosaic.
- When the canvas is suitable in size, but the handle is uncomfortable, there is a minus in this. The hand will become tired or constantly getting dirty in the grout composition.
- Spatula for grouting fillet welds is not used for basic work. They most often do something non-standard. This is a grout of torn stone, in the corners.
- A trapezoid spatula with a convenient handle is one of the best options. Here is a large work surface.
- When choosing a rubber sheet, you need to know how to care for it. After work, it should be washed well and squeezed thoroughly.
There are models with interchangeable nozzles. They are suitable for professional masters in laying tiles, because they will last for many years. As already noted, the assortment of this building material is large, there are enough manufacturers. It is worth paying attention to famous brands.
It is easy to buy this product wholesale and retail, as well as sets. On average, the price is 50 rubles per instrument. But a set of three spatulas - 40, 60 and 80 millimeters will cost around 100 rubles. If you choose a white rubber spatula for grouting tile joints, then its price is 15-20% higher.
How to eliminate errors when choosing?
Rubber and silicone trowel for grouting has its own characteristics, so you should know how to choose. It is necessary to pay attention to the following:
- The canvas should be sharpened sharply, otherwise it will not work to grout accurately.
- Before buying, you need to know on which surface you will have to work with the composition. The stiffness of the selected tool depends on this.
- The handle, convenience of work depends on it. For it to last a long time, it is worth covering with any varnish or drying oil.
To summarize
That rubber spatula is considered the most convenient tool for grouting any seam. Such a device can be used on any complex site, adjusting to different forms. If this is a model without a handle, then it is suitable for working in complex areas (in areas behind pipes, arched and other places). The rubber is unique, so the seams can be wiped on tiles, stone for decoration, on linoleum, parquet and ceramics. Such a tool allows you to create a flat surface and high-quality seams of any shape.