I just laid ceramic tile in my laundry room (thinset on cement floor) and I am going to grout as soon as I am done typing this. My question is how long do I need to wait before putting the washer and dryer back in service? I plan on sealing the grout after about three days curing time but the laundry is piling up. I am willing to move them again to seal the grout so I just want to get them in, catch up an laundry and then get them back out to seal and do trim work.
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Replies
The longer you can wait the better. Tell your wife I said so!
If you want to get back in the room lay some plywood on the floor to run the appliance dolly over. The more you can disperse the weight over more tiles than one the better off you will be.
You say you just laid tile and then are going to grout right away?
maybe I misunderstood, but the thinset that the tile is set in should fully cure before grouting (I think at least 24 hrs, 48 would be better) Otherwise you risk breaking the tile loose while grouting.
sorry, I wasn't very clear on the time line. The thinset had 48 hours of dry time.
Probably too late now, but for a hurry up application like this, I would use epoxy grout. It kicks fast and is self-sealing.Have you read the label on your grout for the answer to this? There are different mixes with and without modifiers or other additives that effect the answer.Most sealers suggest three days wait time.Any laundrymats nearby?
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not sure my skills are up to using the epoxy products, I think I read they are a little more finicky to work with. I am confident in the old school grout and sealer, my concern is the that the washing machine will go into some crazy shaking out of balance spin cycle and I want to be sure I have given the grout sufficient curing time to stand up to it. Too much laundry to hold off, I am wearing clothes that I haven't seen since the 80's.....If need be I will have to regrout if there is any problem.
Thanks.
As another suggested, put a sheet of OSB or ply on the floor for temporaries, and get your laundry caught up.Be EXTREMELY careful to not spill or splash any laundry products -- doing so would be a very bad thing. (Could cause subsequent grout to never cure.)Then do the grout, and let it cure for at least two days. If, after that time, the color is uneven, wait longer, Then seal the grout, and wait one more day. Then move back in.
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yup, the plywood idea is going to fly. good point on the laundry products. Thanks all.
Mapei Ultracolor is a 'high early' grout that cures rock hard in a couple of hours or less.