How to Grout Patio Tile

Installing tile on a poured concrete patio adds interest to an otherwise drab, gray slab. Whether you install ceramic, natural stone or Satillo tiles, you must fill the spaces between them with a grout product to help hold the tiles in place. For outdoor applications, it's prudent to use an exterior-grade grout, since it holds up well to weather exposure. Grouting can be time-consuming, but with patience and attention to detail, homeowners can grout their tiled patio with professional-like results.

Exterior-grade grout
Bucket
Power drill with paddle attachment
Rubber grout float
Clean rags
Pointing trowel
Paintbrush

Instructions

- 1
  Apply a heavy coat of pre-grout sealer to the top surface of the titles with a paintbrush. Allow the sealer to dry, according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- 2
  Mix grout in a plastic bucket with a power drill and paddle attachment, following the manufacturer's instructions.
- 3
  Put small amounts of grout in mounds along the tile joints. Space the mounds at intervals over a 4-square-foot square area.
- 4
  Spread the grout over the tiles and force it into the joints, using a rubber float.
- 5
  Remove any excess grout from the surface of the tile with the float. Avoid removing grout from the joints.
  
  Allow the grout to dry and repeat this step to add grout in the joints.
- 6
  Apply grout to the exposed edges of the patio, using the pointing trowel. Form a tapered edge by holding the trowel at a 45 degree angle as you run it along the grout.
- 7
  Wash the entire surface of the patio with wet rags after allowing the grout to dry completely, per the manufacturer's instructions. Let the tile dry completely again and wipe away the haze with a slightly damp rag.
- 8
  Apply two coats of sealer over the tiles and grout joints with a paintbrush. Ensure that the patio surface is completely dry before you apply the sealer.

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