Exact Answer: After 24-72 hours
To have a complete and attractive look and to give a finishing look to the tiles, grout is important. It helps in keeping dirt and debris from getting in between and under your tile. It adds rigidity and strength to the tile installation. So, grouting puts an extra effort while placing tiles which brings out perfection on the floor and walls.
To get a fine execution, we should be well aware of the process of grouting and about different types of grout. It is essential to know what is the right amount of grout to be used for tile installation. The actual application should have a greater and deep impact on the viewers about the final result, we want to bring out.
How Long After Grouting Can You Walk On Tile?
| The most preferable amount of time | 24 – 72 hours |
| Dry seasons most preferable amount of time | 24-48 hours |
| Monsoon seasons most preferable amount of time | 48-72 hours |
First of all, we should know about how grout looks, it feels like peanut butter. It has a fluid-like texture, grout should not be dry. If it feels like being dry to touch then we should add water to have consistency. As per experts, the grout thickness can be checked by grabbing a handful of it and seeing whether it maintains its size or not, and after slight squeezing, it should not leak water.
Secondly, the grout color depends on the mason whether they want to highlight tile patterns or not. If one wants to highlight tile patterns then a deeper grout color is chosen. And if one doesn’t want to highlight the grout pattern then a lighter color of grout is chosen.
The most important thing is to have a dry atmosphere while applying grouts. Usually, floors always remain in a moisturized manner which will not allow the grouts to dry up easily because it also contains some moisture. So during the monsoon days, it takes about 48-72 hours to get dry so that when the tiles are fixed it doesn’t fall off. During dry seasons, due to a dry atmosphere within a very little time, the grout dries up and gets ready for fixing of tiles.
Why Can You Walk On Tile So Long After Grouting?
Before discussing the further causes, we should all know that the information provided is based upon an assumption. As we can’t claim that by what period the grout will get ready that it will allow the tiles to get fixed. Firstly, it’s important to know that it takes 24-72 hours to get fixed with the wall and allow the tiles to get fixed.
Beyond assumption, it depends upon nature. Let’s be precise, it mainly depends upon the weather whether it is dry or monsoon. The grout preferably gets fixed in the dry season comfortably. Then after it, we can find that the tiles are well fixed and ready to walk on it. If the atmosphere would be moisturized then the tiles may get disturbed and the pattern will change and will not be appreciable.
The temperature, moisture content, and everything else plays a vital role. But after that the area on which grout is applied its size, the amount also matters. Still, after this, if anyone chooses the monsoon period, then they should let it remain for a long period, to get it fixed so that its pattern will not get bothered.
Conclusion
So from the above fact, we can conclude that the period of drying of the grout is too uncertain. So it depends upon the mason when they will allow you to walk on the tile or the period for installation of tile. It’s a common thing we all know that the drier it gets, the more efficient it will look and the more attractive it will be.
So whether it is dry season or monsoon season, it depends upon the time of grout to dry. While installing tiles, it looks hard to fix in the grout because it needs concentration and attention. Otherwise, it may result in an uneven gap which will give an unattractive look. And after installation, if the environment and caution are not taken then the tiles may break or may come out. So grouting period and tile installation period are crucial which should be given proper attention and should be treated with care. After all, humidity, temperature, and weather also play a significant role.
Reference
- https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15563650.2017.1296154
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1350630713002501
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Comical
Of course, we wouldn’t want to mess up the beautiful grout and tile installation and end up with a floor full of puzzle pieces!
I’d rather wait 72 hours and not risk walking on the tile too soon, can’t risk having broken tiles!
Informative
Indeed, it is crucial to consider the time it takes for grout to dry before walking on the tile or installing it.