Grout
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Grout is a construction material used to embed rebars in masonry walls, connect sections of pre-cast concrete, fill voids, and seal joints (like those between tiles). Grout is generally composed of a mixture of water, cement, sand and sometimes color tint which is applied as a thick liquid and hardens over time, much like mortar.
It is also a component of mosaics. Although ungrouted mosaics do exist, most have grout between the tesserae.
Main varieties include: tiling grout (either cement-based or epoxy), flooring grout, resin grout, non-shrink grout and thixotropic grout.
Mortar Joints refer to the space in between brick, concrete block, or glass block that is filled with grout. Mortar joints can be made in a series of different fashions, but the most common ones are Raked, Grapevine, Extruded, Concave, V, Struck, Flush, Weathered and Beaded.
In order to produce a mortar joint, the mason must use one of several types of jointers (slickers), rakes, or beaders. These tools are run through the grout in between the building material before the grout is solid and create the desired outcome the mason seeks.
There are a few tools associated with applying and removal of grout such as:
- grout saw or grout scraper; a manual tool removal of old and discolored grout. The blade is usually composed of tungsten carbide.
- grout float; a rubber-faced smoothing tool for applying grout to flat surfaces such as tile, walls, marble, etc.
- grout sealer is a water-based sealant applied over dried grout that resists water, oil and acid-based contaminants.
- Dremel grout attachment; an attachment guide placed over a Dremel rotary tool for faster removal of old grout than a standard grout saw.
