Grout Ceresit CE 33: technical characteristics and operating instructions

After the work on laying ceramic tiles has been completed, you need to learn how to dilute Ceresit grout in order to protect the seams and the treated surface from moisture, dirt, and also to give an aesthetic and finished look to the finish. If you choose Henkel products for work, then there will be no problems, for example, how to dilute grout for Ceresit CE33 tiles, since the same general principles of working with similar dry mixtures apply to this cement-based material, which is popular among builders.

General rules for preparing mortar for grouting ceramic tiles

Of no small importance when working is the method and technology of its dilution, information about which is contained in the instructions for the material. But in some cases, some secrets that specialists with extensive experience know will also be useful.

The classic dilution method is not difficult for a beginner and is suitable for almost all types of grout, mainly cement-based.

To do this you should:

• pour the required amount of dry grout mixture into the prepared container;
• pour water into it in the proportion specified in the instructions;
• mix thoroughly until a homogeneous paste-like mass;
• you can mix either manually or using special devices - for example, a drill with a mixing attachment;
• leave the solution alone to “mature” for five minutes, and then mix it thoroughly again.

It is important to consider that you should not immediately use all the grout mixture prepared for processing joints, since its working time is no more than 1 hour and if the volume of work is large enough, part of the solution will simply disappear, as it will harden before it is used.

It is strictly forbidden to dilute the slightly set mixture with additional water, as this will not bring the expected effect, and the composition will simply be spoiled. It is better to slightly slow down the process of setting the solution by stirring it constantly while working.

Craftsmen who specialize in laying ceramic tiles are, of course, armed with the necessary tools, but for a home craftsman there is no need for extra expenses. Therefore, given that grout solutions are rarely produced in large volumes, it is quite rational to mix everything manually. But if you want to make your task easier, you can use a container with a fairly wide neck and a closing lid and simply mix the solution in it, shaking it vigorously.

Famous brands

Experts note that the best materials for processing tile joints include the following brands:

• Kiilto;
• Mapei;
• Anserglob;
• Baumit;
• Mira.

Among the companies producing repair materials, one of the leading ones is Henkel Bautechik. The company's product range includes a line of tile grouts called “Ceresit”.

How to properly prepare epoxy-based grout?

The process for preparing grout based on epoxy resin is somewhat different. In this case, deviations from the instructions are not allowed at all. At the first stage, the paste is mixed with a catalyst, which are thoroughly mixed, then a special color is added in the form of a powder, if necessary, since initially this grout has no color and is transparent.

After this, all the components of the epoxy grout are thoroughly mixed again and you can begin to work, but be sure to take into account that the mixture hardens very quickly and it is recommended to remove its excess from the surface of the tile immediately.

Rules for selecting shades

Experienced craftsmen do not believe that the colors of tiles and grout should be identical. On the contrary, a darker or lighter shade is visually more attractive.

When decorating a space with tiles with a bright pattern, it is recommended to use transparent grout, because... it will not distract attention from the main print.

Features of working with grout for Ceresit tiles

Tile grout Ceresit CE33 is recommended for joints with a width of no more than 5 mm; if wider ones need to be processed, experts recommend slightly reducing the amount of water, that is, making the solution more dense, which will ensure better adhesion to the surface.

This type of grout has a wide range of colors - more than 25 colors and shades, and is suitable for both external and internal work.

In addition, Ceresit CE33 grout:

In cases where it is necessary to process seams with a width of more than 10 mm, it is recommended to use Ceresit CE40 grout with a high water-repellent effect, which makes its use for external work, primarily for facade finishing, indispensable.

Do you want to buy Ceresit building materials at the best prices in Moscow? Hurry up to place your order!

Grouting the tile joints is the final stage of decoration, allowing you to make the appearance complete and neat. But grout also serves practical purposes - it protects the tiles from moisture penetration, increasing the service life of the coating.

Grout for tiles Ceresit: selection, technical characteristics, colors and application

Ceresit grouts for tiles are available in almost every hardware store in Russia, but for each task you need to use a certain type of mixture. If you have never encountered laying tiles before, you are unlikely to be able to immediately understand what mixture you need to buy. Therefore, in this article we have collected descriptions and technical characteristics of all Ceresite grouts and instructions for their use.

In total, Ceresit has 6 types of tile grout:

• Ceresit CE 33 Super. Suitable for narrow joints up to 5 mm.
• Ceresit CE 35 Super. For seams from 4 to 15 mm.
• Ceresit CE 43 Super Strong. Durable elastic grout for joints 5-20 mm.
• Ceresit CE 40 Aquastatic. Elastic, for seams up to 10 mm.
• Ceresit CE 79 UltraPox. Chemically resistant two-component grout. Good for mosaics.
• Ceresit CS 25. Silicone grout-sealant, mainly used for sealing seams between tiles and the bathtub, at the sink.

There is also Ceresit CT 10 Super. This is a water repellent that gives the seams water-repellent properties after application and additionally protects them from dirt and fungus. Completely transparent.

Types of grout

The entire range of decorative mixtures can be divided into two groups. The main criterion for separation will be the base substance on the basis of which the manufacturer makes the product.

Cement

Cement as a basic component is a classic of cladding - it is used not only for laying tiles, but also for its final finishing.

They increase the elasticity of the solution, demonstrate high strength and water-repellent properties. Products with fungicidal components in the composition cope with mold and bacteria. They work effectively even in rooms where there are problems with ventilation.

As a rule, cement-sand grouts are used to process wide joints - from 5 mm or more. Pure cement mixtures are designed to work with narrow joints - less than 5 mm.

Resin

Cement compositions may be unsuitable for grouting tiles in areas exposed to complex external factors. Swimming pools, rooms with high levels of humidity and high traffic - resin-based grouts are used here. Most often, the base is epoxy resins, in some cases - furan.

Quartz sand of different fractions is used as a filler, and a special hardener accelerates the setting process of the solution.

Epoxy and furan grouts have increased strength. They withstand intense mechanical stress and exposure to chemical compounds contained in household cleaning products and detergents.

Epoxy grout is the most popular in everyday life - it is used to treat the seams of kitchen apron tiles, and to finish bathrooms and showers, baths and saunas.

How long does it take for Ceresit grout to dry?

As you know, Ceresit solution has high performance properties. It is one of the most popular and widespread products and remains the most in demand among Russian buyers. As for hardening, it will take about two hours for pre-bonding. Despite this, there are quick-hardening compositions. The product hardens in just 20 minutes.

Customers are pleased with the varied palette of colors and the fact that the composition dries quickly.

Two-component formulations that are designed for aggressive environments are also often used. The hardening time for cement-based mixtures is about one week. The quality of hardening depends on the correctly prepared mixture. The consistency of the solution should be uniform.

For products containing acrylic components it will take about 15 days. Before starting work, you should read the instructions so that everything is within normal limits. The main thing is to follow all the basic rules and recommendations and then everything will work out. So, friends, choose quality sealing products!

Set of tools for work

Before diluting the grout, you should prepare a simple set of tools that will help you complete the work quickly and efficiently. The set includes:

• protective equipment for the master - rubber gloves, respirator mask, construction glasses;
• a round container for preparing a liquid mixture;
• putty knife;

• drill with mixer attachment;
• bucket with water;
• soft clean cloth and foam sponge;
• scales or measuring container.

In addition to the grout mixture, it is necessary to prepare a solvent. It can be ordinary clean water or latex - you should follow the instructions of the mixture manufacturer.

What is grout and why is it needed?

Grout for joints between slabs is sold in the form of a dry or ready-to-use mixture. It can be of different colors, one- or two-component, water-repellent. The substance has the following purposes:

• Performs a decorative function, providing wall and floor coverings with a holistic, aesthetic and complete look.
• Performs the function of a sealant and provides water-repellent ability to the coating.
• Protects the adhesive base of the tiles and all finishes, allowing them to last longer.
• It prevents the spread of mold and mildew, which is extremely necessary for bathrooms and toilets.
• Some places, elements and surfaces that come into frequent contact with water or moisture can be protected from deformation.
• Facilitates the maintenance of tile coverings and protects against the accumulation of dirt and dust.

When choosing a suitable Ceresit grout, you need to be based on the main criteria, namely:

• Purpose of the material.
• Type of mixture (silicone grout or regular dry mix composition).
• The choice in favor of component or base composition.
• Selecting the appropriate grout color.

Over the many years of its existence on the building mixtures market, grout from the Ceresit brand has managed to establish itself as a reliable and trusted manufacturer that supplies exclusively high-quality products. From this manufacturer you can find the ideal ratio of the cost of the composition with technical characteristics, consumption and service life.

How to properly dilute grout for joints?

Next, we will consider the rules for preparing decorative mixtures of the four most popular brands in construction.

Ceresit

As an example, let's take Ceresit CE 33 grout, designed for finishing narrow joints of stone, ceramic and glass tiles.

Rules for preparing the solution:

1. Prepare water at the rate of 330 mm per 1 kg of dry mixture. Permissible water temperature is from +5 to +30 °C.
2. Pour approximately ¾ of the required volume of water into the prepared container.
3. Pour the dry mixture into the water according to the specified proportions.
4. Stir the mixture well until there are no lumps. For this purpose, you can use a spatula or drill. The drill should be operated at speeds of 400-800 per minute.
5. When the composition is mixed, you can add the remaining water so that the mixture acquires the consistency of thick sour cream. If the solution is already plastic, the rest of the water may not be added.

The finished grout should “mature” - this will take about 5 minutes, after which you can begin processing the tile joints.

Cement grout Eunice Color is suitable for filling joints with a width of 1 to 10 mm in rooms with moderate and high humidity, as well as in “warm floor” systems.

1. Pour water at room temperature into a container at the rate of 0.25-0.35 liters per 1 kg of dry grout.
2. Pour in the cement mixture. A trowel is suitable for stirring this volume. If you need more mixture, it is better to use a drill mixer.
3. Stir for several minutes until a homogeneous viscous mass without lumps is obtained.
4. After 3-5 minutes of settling the mixture, stir again and apply.

Litokol

Litokol Starlike is an epoxy grout suitable for interior and exterior work with porcelain stoneware, tiles, mosaics and natural stone. The color range of the product includes 97 shades, including a metallic palette.

Using Ceresit grout in practice for the bathroom and other rooms

When using Ceresit grout, you must adhere to special rules:

• Before grouting, be sure to make sure the tile adhesive has hardened.
• The edges of the tiles must be wetted before cleaning.
• Be sure to get rid of the old mixture.
• You need to make sure that it does not leave streaks; to do this, use tiles without glaze.
• When preparing the mixture, the water temperature should be at room temperature. Remember that you need to pour the mixture into water and nothing else.
• Before using the mixture, let it sit for about 7 minutes, and most importantly use it within an hour.

Can I use grout instead of putty?

Before answering this question, it is necessary to understand the fundamental differences between grout and putty. The grout is used primarily to fill joints; it should penetrate well into all cavities and set quickly in a narrow space. The putty is intended only for leveling surfaces for painting or wallpapering.

The putty will turn out even and smooth only if it is applied in a thin but wide layer. If you fill seams with it in several layers, the surface will become covered with cracks. With grout, the opposite is true - its thin layer quickly cracks, but the thick one remains intact and smooth. Therefore, in fact, both of these solutions cannot be interchangeable due to functional differences.

But some craftsmen claim that grout can be turned into putty. To do this, you need to add any moisture-retaining component to its composition, for example, methylcellulose.

With putty, everything is different - it needs to be given moisture-repellent properties by mixing with oil paint or glue. But the builder must conduct such experiments at his own peril and risk, since there are no such instructions in the instructions for the tools.

Application area

The width of the joints that the product can grout varies from 2 to 15 millimeters, this applies to any type of tile. Thus, Ceresit tile grout is used for ceramic, stone, glass tiles, and can be applied to floors and walls.

Due to its high degree of elasticity, it is also used for plasterboard and particle boards that are installed on heated floors. Withstands sudden changes in temperature. It can also be used on the seams of pool tiles.

In general, there are 3 areas of application of the product:

• For narrow joints in the kitchen and bathroom;
• For wide seams where the load is high, i.e. on the floor;
• For seams where resistance to chemicals is needed, it is applicable in laboratories and production facilities.

Due to its high degree of elasticity, it is also used for plasterboard and particle boards that are installed on heated floors.

How to remove excess grout?

It is better to clean the tiles from excess grout immediately - a flexible rubber spatula is suitable for this, which is not dangerous to run even on the glossy surface of the tile. Final cleaning is carried out after the last seam has been filled. At this stage, return to the very first tile and wipe it with a dry soft cloth or foam sponge.

It is important not to miss the moment and not wait for the grout to harden, especially for epoxy products. Otherwise, you won’t be able to get rid of it simply by wiping and washing the tiles. You will have to buy special acidic removers that react with the components of the grout and remove them from the surface.

Even a beginner can handle preparing tile grout. But it should be taken into account that the quality of the mixture largely depends on its homogeneity and plasticity.

Color

Depending on the color of the tiles laid on the walls of the kitchen or bath, the shade of the grout also depends. Henkel Bautechik offers consumers the following basic range:

• Shades of gray and blue (four options each);
• Green (three shades);
• Lots of beige and brown.

Available in white, black, brick colors.

Video review

When working with tiles, laminate, ceramics, stone, and glass, craftsmen usually decorate the seams. This is the only way to achieve the effect of a completed, neat renovation, thought out to the smallest details. For this, builders often use Ceresit CE 40 joint grout.

If you do not have experience working with such building material, we recommend that you study the rules for its application in advance. For this purpose, the article discusses the Ceresit mixture. The properties of the composition, its advantages, disadvantages, consumption and application techniques are presented. Useful recommendations in the article will help you do the job correctly.

Color range CE 40 Aquastatic

Color range CE 40 Aquastatic (click to enlarge)
The product contains cement and when interacting with water gives an alkaline reaction, therefore it is necessary to protect your eyes and skin when working with it. If the mixture gets into your eyes, rinse them with water and seek medical help.

All stated quality indicators and recommendations are valid for an ambient temperature of +20°C and a relative air humidity of 60%. In other conditions, the technical characteristics of the material may differ from those indicated.

In addition to the technical description, when working with the material, you should be guided by the relevant building codes and regulations of the Russian Federation. The manufacturer is not responsible for non-compliance with technology when working with the material, as well as for its use for purposes and conditions not provided for in this technical description. If you are in doubt about the suitability of a particular material, you should test it yourself or consult the manufacturer. The technical description, as well as recommendations not confirmed in writing, cannot serve as a basis for the unconditional liability of the manufacturer. With the appearance of this technical description, all previous ones become invalid.

Properties and purpose

Ceresit CE 40 is designed specifically for filling joints between ceramic, glass, and stone tiles. The mixture can be used for both floor and wall slabs in everyday life and industry.

You can grout tile joints:

• on bases subject to deformation - these include plasterboard, wood chip elements;
• in conditions of high humidity: bathrooms, kitchens, showers;
• on surfaces susceptible to temperature fluctuations: terraces, balconies, swimming pools or underfloor heating systems.

The product can be used for interior and exterior work. It is completely safe for health. However, the technician must wear protective gloves and goggles.

Product purpose

German manufacturers, as always, are particularly scrupulous. Among the brands are mixtures for processing gaps with thicknesses:

• Up to five millimeters;
• From four to fifteen mm;
• Up to twenty millimeters;
• Silicate grout, ideal for filling joints between tiles and plumbing fixtures.

Instructions on how to grout tile joints with ceresit ce 40

Grout CE 40 is easy to use. On its packaging there are instructions for use, in which the manufacturer indicates the rules for mashing. It is necessary to work with it at air and surface temperatures from +5 to +30 degrees Celsius. Humidity in the room should be average, not exceeding 80%.

Before work, you need to prepare the base to create conditions for good adhesion. Do not deviate from the instructions so that the result of the work is effective.

We do not recommend applying this mixture to seams in corners and places of possible deformation. For this, it is better to use silicone-based grout.

Tools and surface preparation

We advise you to ensure the correct air temperature in the work area or choose a relatively warm day when working outside. Maintain temperatures between +5°C and +30°C.

The master will need the following equipment:

• a bucket of clean water;
• rubber spatula;
• sponge;
• rags.

All surfaces must be dry and free of dirt. The edges of the tiles, on the contrary, need to be moistened with a damp sponge or rag.

Consumption

A separate issue is the consumption of ceresit ce 40. The exact figure depends on the thickness, width of the joint and the size of the tile itself.

According to the manufacturer, the average consumption is from 0.4 to 0.7 kilograms per square meter. The grout itself is supplied in bags weighing 2 kilograms. We recommend taking the mixture with a reserve.

Work algorithm

The dry mixture is slowly poured into cold water. In this case, the material must be thoroughly mixed to form a homogeneous mass without lumps. Then it is infused for five minutes, and then it is mixed again.

Applying the mass is done like this:

1. The solution is applied to the surface with a rubber spatula, carefully rubbing into the seams.
2. Excess mixture can be collected with a spatula before it hardens.
3. Ten minutes after application, the surface is washed with a sponge of medium humidity so that the seam does not wash out.
4. Plaque on the tiles can also be easily cleaned with a dry soft cloth.
5. If grouting is done outdoors, the surface must be protected from precipitation throughout the day.

We recommend watching the video instructions for using Ceresit grout. This will help you avoid basic mistakes when performing the task:

After working for 24 hours, ensure the seams are protected from drying out: exposure to direct sunlight, weathering, overheating. Moisture on the grout is allowed no earlier than a week after its application.

Tips for use

For best results, follow the manufacturer's recommendations:

• Apply grout when the cladding is completely dry; in the case of a cement-sand mixture, you will have to wait a week;
• If there are residues of grease, glue and other contaminants on the tiles, they must be removed;
• You can mix a little mixture by hand, but for large volumes you should use a mixer or drill with an attachment, stirring at a speed of 400-800 rpm;
• Wait a technological break for 5 minutes and stir the grout again;
• Before filling, you can run a damp sponge along the seam, this will help the compound adhere better;
• When replacing old grout with a new one, the remaining mixture must be thoroughly cleaned - all seams must have equal depth;
• For 24 hours, protect the filled joints from sunlight, overheating, wind, and another week from rain if the work was done outside.

Like other Ceresit products, the grout of this German brand has long gained popularity among consumers. Correct selection and proper use of Ceresit grouts allow you to obtain excellent results.