Ratio of Grout to Water Mix

Basics of Grout

• While grout is similar to mortar it has a different ratio of water to cement and aggregate, and it also has a different consistency. The perfect grout is a thick, creamy mixture that can be easily spread, smeared or otherwise forced into the joints between tiles, bricks and blocks. Though recommendations on a bag of grout will tell you how much water you need to add, the situation will dictate whether you use slightly more or less.

Eyeball Method

• Professional contractors rarely use a measuring cup to add water to the grout mix -- at least not for the average grout job that requires one or two men. Instead, the grout is mixed using a visual method. The end consistency of grout needs to be thick and creamy, and since not all grout mixes the same it is usually easier to simply eyeball the mixture as you are mixing and add water as you go along until you achieve the proper consistency. This method is best utilized by professionals with years of experience.

Variations

• Technically, grout is a type of mortar, just with less aggregate than regular concrete. The exact measurements are never exactly the same given the fact that air is also a part of the equation. Different sized bags have different requirements, as do different types of grouts. No two are ever the same.

Slow Speed

• When mixing grout it is important to only mix the grout at a low velocity, either by hand or with a slow-RPM machine or mixer. Mix it too fast and you risk the chance of whipping air bubbles into the mixture. These will pop as the grout cures, leaving behind pinholes as well as actual voids in the case of larger bubbles of trapped air. While mostly a cosmetic issue, it is nevertheless something you should avoid. Mixing slowly ensures everything blends together properly.