Laying tiles is a long 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 a tool. The grouting trowel has a different look and material to create. It is worth choosing your tool depending on the direction of work. What should be a spatula and where is it used? Consider in our today's article.
Rubber seam tool
If the 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’t 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 on sale, it is worth choosing for grouting.
There isthe difference is not a metal or painting tool, but a piece of solid rubber. The edges of such a device are cut off for the clarity of punching through each seam. Due to this material, bending occurs. The result is the following:
- The grout is applied carefully, carefully, which is important for decorative surfaces. So they are not damaged.
- Because of this design, it is easy to get into hard-to-reach places. As a result, the surface is monolithic and beautiful.
- The hand does not get tired of embedding every distance between 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 this spatula for grouting that 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. Suitable for places where it is difficult to get close and do finishing work.
Pen
The rubber spatula has a plastic or wooden handle, making it easier to work with. At the same time, joints can be overwritten 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 grout the seams on tiles, tiles, etc.e.
- 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 this is a restoration work where you can not scratch the surface and make other damage. The size is selected depending on the area of the tile. Masters call such a tool a consumable, so when performing an operation, it is worth keeping a few more of these items 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 nuances affect the process of work and the speed of execution:
- What a pen. It should be comfortable, and also not flow with putty. In addition, spontaneous pressing and unnecessary filling of seams should not occur in the work. It's good when the master doesn't have to push too hard.
- Increased productivity. Slight pressure on the handle, but high-quality filling of the seam helps to speed up the work.
- Cloth with its density and shape contributes to the rapid filling of the tile joint, as well as getting rid of excess composition on the surface. In the course of work, the entire surface should be filled with mortar, without forming cracks and depressions.
There is a division by type of canvas:
- Rubber.
- Rubber.
- Multilayer rubber.
The visual difference is not always visible, but it will be clear from the service life which is better. Rubber is a special material that does not wear out, does not decompose, and also does not get wet. The same cannot be said about rubber, which deteriorates over time, can burst or break. Therefore, it is worth choosing a better quality spatula for grouting tiles.
Which kind of instrument is suitable?
In construction stores, the assortment is large and sometimes it is difficult to find the right model. There is a certain division into types. The most suitable is a rubber spatula 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 peculiarity here. If the first option, then the tool will be with increased rigidity, which allows you to quickly seal cracks, but white is better suited for a delicate finish.
- According to the 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 full rubber or silicone spatulas for grouting tiles, where wooden or plastic handles are used. But the choice is based on the intensity of application. Particular attention is paid to ease of use.
- Popurpose - grouting and jointing. Each procedure is performed in a special way.
In order for the tiling to take place in full, it is worth purchasing a set of spatulas for grouting. Because there are hard-to-reach places where a standard tool cannot cope. If the grout composition is liquid, then it is easy to work with any tool. With increased density, this procedure becomes more complicated.
Which tool is best?
Much depends on the form. What to look out for:
- If the work 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 complete the seam on a tile, for example, mosaic.
- When the canvas is the right size, but the handle is uncomfortable, there is a minus. The hand will become tired or constantly dirty in the grout.
- The fillet grouting trowel is not used for general work. They usually do something out of the ordinary. This is a grout of broken stone, in the corners.
- Trapezoid spatula with a comfortable handle is one of the best options. There 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 tile installers because they will last for many years. As already noted, the range of this building material is large, there are enough manufacturers. Worth payingattention to well-known brands.
It is easy to buy this product wholesale and retail, as well as in sets. On average, the price is 50 rubles per instrument. But a set of three spatulas - 40, 60 and 80 millimeters will cost within 100 rubles. If you choose a white rubber spatula for grouting tiles, then its price is 15-20% higher.
How to avoid errors when choosing?
Rubber and silicone grouting spatula has its own characteristics, so you should know how to choose. Pay attention to the following:
- The blade must be sharpened sharply, otherwise it will not be possible to accurately grout.
- Before buying, you need to know on which surface you will have to work with the composition. The rigidity of the selected tool depends on this.
- The handle, the convenience of work depends on it. To make it last for a long time, it is worth covering it with any varnish or drying oil.
Summing up
It is the rubber spatula that is considered the most convenient tool for grouting any seam. Such a device can be used in any complex area, adapting to different shapes. If this is a model without a handle, then it is suitable for working in difficult areas (in areas behind pipes, arches and other places). The rubber is unique, so the seams can be grouted on tiles, decorative stone, linoleum, parquet and ceramics. Such a tool allows you to create a flat surface and high-quality seams of any shape.
