Grout
Encyclopedia
Grout is a construction
material used to embed rebar
s 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
, often color tint, and sometimes fine gravel (if it is being used to fill the cores of cement blocks). It is applied as a thick liquid and hardens over time, much like mortar
.
It is also a component of mosaic
s. Although ungrouted mosaics do exist, most have grout between the tesserae.
Main varieties include: tiling
grout (either urethane, cement-based or epoxy), flooring
grout, resin
grout, non-shrink grout
and thixotropic
grout.
There are a few tools associated with applying and removal of grout such as:
Construction
In the fields of architecture and civil engineering, construction is a process that consists of the building or assembling of infrastructure. Far from being a single activity, large scale construction is a feat of human multitasking...
material used to embed rebar
Rebar
A rebar , also known as reinforcing steel, reinforcement steel, rerod, or a deformed bar, is a common steel bar, and is commonly used as a tensioning device in reinforced concrete and reinforced masonry structures holding the concrete in compression...
s in masonry
Masonry
Masonry is the building of structures from individual units laid in and bound together by mortar; the term masonry can also refer to the units themselves. The common materials of masonry construction are brick, stone, marble, granite, travertine, limestone; concrete block, glass block, stucco, and...
walls, connect sections of pre-cast concrete
Concrete
Concrete is a composite construction material, composed of cement and other cementitious materials such as fly ash and slag cement, aggregate , water and chemical admixtures.The word concrete comes from the Latin word...
, fill voids, and seal joints (like those between tiles). Grout is generally composed of a mixture of water
Water
Water is a chemical substance with the chemical formula H2O. A water molecule contains one oxygen and two hydrogen atoms connected by covalent bonds. Water is a liquid at ambient conditions, but it often co-exists on Earth with its solid state, ice, and gaseous state . Water also exists in a...
, cement
Cement
In the most general sense of the word, a cement is a binder, a substance that sets and hardens independently, and can bind other materials together. The word "cement" traces to the Romans, who used the term opus caementicium to describe masonry resembling modern concrete that was made from crushed...
, sand
Sand
Sand is a naturally occurring granular material composed of finely divided rock and mineral particles.The composition of sand is highly variable, depending on the local rock sources and conditions, but the most common constituent of sand in inland continental settings and non-tropical coastal...
, often color tint, and sometimes fine gravel (if it is being used to fill the cores of cement blocks). It is applied as a thick liquid and hardens over time, much like mortar
Mortar (masonry)
Mortar is a workable paste used to bind construction blocks together and fill the gaps between them. The blocks may be stone, brick, cinder blocks, etc. Mortar becomes hard when it sets, resulting in a rigid aggregate structure. Modern mortars are typically made from a mixture of sand, a binder...
.
It is also a component of mosaic
Mosaic
Mosaic is the art of creating images with an assemblage of small pieces of colored glass, stone, or other materials. It may be a technique of decorative art, an aspect of interior decoration, or of cultural and spiritual significance as in a cathedral...
s. Although ungrouted mosaics do exist, most have grout between the tesserae.
Main varieties include: tiling
Tile
A tile is a manufactured piece of hard-wearing material such as ceramic, stone, metal, or even glass. Tiles are generally used for covering roofs, floors, walls, showers, or other objects such as tabletops...
grout (either urethane, cement-based or epoxy), flooring
Flooring
Flooring is the general term for a permanent covering of a floor, or for the work of installing such a floor covering. Floor covering is a term to generically describe any finish material applied over a floor structure to provide a walking surface...
grout, resin
Resin
Resin in the most specific use of the term is a hydrocarbon secretion of many plants, particularly coniferous trees. Resins are valued for their chemical properties and associated uses, such as the production of varnishes, adhesives, and food glazing agents; as an important source of raw materials...
grout, non-shrink grout
Non-shrink grout
Non-shrink grout is a hydraulic cement grout that produces a big volume that, when hardened under stipulated test conditions, is greater than or equal to the original installed volume; often used as a transfer medium between load-bearing members.-Testing:...
and thixotropic
Thixotropy
Thixotropy is the property of certain gels or fluids that are thick under normal conditions, but flow over time when shaken, agitated, or otherwise stressed...
grout.
There are a few tools associated with applying and removal of grout such as:
- grout saw or grout scraper; a manual tool for removal of old and discolored grout. The blade is usually composed of tungsten carbideTungsten carbideTungsten carbide is an inorganic chemical compound containing equal parts of tungsten and carbon atoms. Colloquially, tungsten carbide is often simply called carbide. In its most basic form, it is a fine gray powder, but it can be pressed and formed into shapes for use in industrial machinery,...
. - grout float; A trowelTrowelA trowel is one of several similar hand tools used for digging, smoothing, or otherwise moving around small amounts of viscous or particulate material.-Hand tools:...
-like tool for smoothing the surface of a grout line, typically made of rubber or soft plastic. - grout sealer is a water-based or solvent-based sealant applied over dried grout that resists water, oil, and acid-based contaminants.
- Dremel grout attachment; an attachment guide used in a die grinder for faster removal of old grout than a standard grout saw.