Plaster grouting: technique, necessary materials and tools, step by step instructions and expert advice

Plastering is the most effective method of preparing the wall surface for applying the topcoat, as well as one of the options for decorative finishes. To give the upper layer the necessary texture, it is necessary to process it, grout the plaster. This process in itself is not very complicated, but it requires compliance with certain rules. Without this, achieving a high-quality result will not work.

What is the grouting process

This is the last stage of plastering. It consists of eliminating minor flaws. Level and smooth the walls by grinding with a special tool of the previously applied composition. Before grouting, a “coat” is applied to the working surface - this is the finish layer of the stucco mortar. The grouting process is carried out after the composition has set, but before it dries.

Tool selection

A trowel is an item used when applying a mixture and to eliminate defects made during the plastering process. With it, you can remove excess solution from the surface and slightly level the base. However, it is impossible to achieve full smoothness with it, this requires a grater. This tool has a lot of positive characteristics:

1. The convenience of use. The design is made in such a way that even with hours of continuous operation, a person does not experience discomfort.
2. Light weight. For the production of graters, light materials are used so that the hands do not get tired of work during work.
3. Low cost.
4. Long service life. Subject to the application technique and neatly, one grater is enough to process thousands of square meters.
5. Big choice. In the construction markets, a wide variety of graters are presented: wooden, plastic, metal, large, small and so on.
6. Water resistant. The plaster grouting tool is made from materials that do not absorb moisture.

Varieties of graters

In the past, stucco grout tools were made exclusively from wood. A piece of wood was taken as the basis and a plane with a handle was cut from it. But such a product has a significant drawback - the natural material quickly absorbs moisture, so with prolonged use it becomes very heavy, and after drying, the base is deformed and cracked.

Modern manufacturers produce graters of various types. They are classified according to the material of which the work surface is made. It can be wood, plastic, polyurethane, latex, polystyrene, rubber, sponge or metal. When choosing, you should rely on experience with these materials or on the recommendations of specialists.

Tool selection

Each type of grater has its own purpose:

1. Spongy. It is used for grouting decorative plaster.
2. Foam. The cheapest and brittle material that breaks with any careless movement.
3. Metal. It is used for leveling porous plaster compositions, as well as for preparing the surface for applying paint.

For a beginner repairman, it is best to give preference to a polyurethane grater, characterized by strength, durability and lightness. But the plastic product is more suitable for professionals. Such a grater is most often used for one-time work on grouting plaster.

We prepare a solution for nakryvki

For this purpose, the composition is mixed in the same proportions as for the base layer:

1. Cement mortar - three parts of sand and one part of cement.
2. Cement-lime composition - one part of cement with lime is mixed with three parts of sand.

The only feature of the preparation of such solutions is the use of as fine sand as possible. The size of the grain should not exceed 1.5 mm. Coarse sand can only be used if tiles are used as the top wall covering.

In order for the grout for the plaster to be of high quality, it is necessary to monitor its fat content (the content of binders). The greasy mixture will not align well and leave streaks, and if this indicator is insufficient, then the plaster will begin to crumble during the surface treatment.

Solution preparation

The process consists of the following steps:

1. Sand is sifted through a fine sieve, the optimal mesh size is 1.5 * 1.5 mm.
2. Cement, sand is poured into the mixing tank, and all this is thoroughly mixed.
3. Pouring in small portions of water. This should be done until the solution acquires the desired consistency.

If cement-lime mortar is mixed, then lime also needs to be sieved through a sieve. If there are even small grains on the plastered surface, traces will remain, and subsequently it will not be possible to achieve perfect smoothness.

Procedure

The grouting process after plastering consists of several stages, the first of which is applying a coating.

1. The plastered surface is wetted with a spray gun. This is necessary in order to increase the degree of adhesion of the primer to the coating. Humidification should be carried out evenly, without gaps. At the same time, the surface should not be soaked in water; water should not drain in streams. This is done 15-20 minutes before applying the composition. If the working area is very large, then it must be divided into sections and moisten only the one that will be processed. If you don’t have a spray at hand, you can use a brush. Wet it in water and spray it on the wall.
2. To apply the coating you will need a trowel and a wide spatula or a metal rule. The solution is poured onto the work surface in small portions. You should start from above, gradually distributing the composition of the rule throughout the wall. The tool must be pressed with force so that the solution clogs denser and penetrates even into microscopic irregularities. The excess is removed immediately. The maximum thickness of this coating is 2 mm.
3. After adhesion of the mortar, you can pick up a grater and start grouting the cement plaster. Some masters prefer to do this while applying the composition.

When to do this - there is not much difference, and does not affect the result. The main thing is to distribute the composition well on the surface so that all the bumps disappear. Consider each of the methods in detail.

Dry method

If you decide to wait until the plaster on the wall dries and grout to do later, the process will be performed as follows:

1. Take a grater of polyurethane or metal soaked in water.
2. The tool is pressed against the work surface and with the help of circular movements, the process of leveling the plaster begins.

You do not need to press hard on the grater, otherwise there is a risk of tearing off the fresh composition, but too weak movements will not bring results.

Efforts need to be distributed evenly, slowly moving on surfaces from top to bottom or horizontally. At the joints of the walls, the base of the grater is applied parallel to the corners, and the direction of hand movement changes from circular to vertical. Where tubercles are visible, the tool should be pressed harder, and in the recess areas, the pressure force, on the contrary, is reduced. In the process, a solution is collected on the sides of the grater, so it needs to be removed from time to time. You can do this with a wet brush.

When grouting gypsum plaster over a large area, the coating dries quickly. Accordingly, it becomes more difficult to do the work. To correct the situation, the solution must be moistened with water. A wet brush or spray can be used for this purpose.

Grout with mortar

When using the method with applying the composition, the process consists of the following steps:

1. A small amount of mortar for grouting the plaster is collected on the grater (its consistency should be slightly weaker than for plastering the walls), after which the tool is applied to the surface and the contents are evenly distributed across the plane. The grater must be kept at an angle.
2. After applying the solution, the tool blade is pressed against the wall, and the grouting process begins. Movements can be arched or circular, but always thorough and uniform.

With this method of application, the grout for walls after plastering is used very economically, but it takes a lot of time. To avoid solidification of the composition, it is better to knead it in small portions. If one large plane is processed, then the intervals between the grouting of adjacent sections should be as short as possible, a break is allowed only for the preparation of a new portion of the solution. When moistening the next square of the surface, it is recommended to wet and the edges are already worn, this will increase the degree of adhesion. After drying, the transitions will not be noticeable.

Expert Advice

Check the quality of work performed in the following ways:

1. The directional light of the lamp along the working surface will help to identify any bumps and errors.
2. Applied to the surfaces, the building level will definitely “show” if any irregularities remain. You can eliminate defects with the help of a grinding bar (grater).

Before proceeding to grout the surface of the walls, it is necessary to take measures to protect other rooms of the residential building from the smallest dust particles, which inevitably form during the plastering process. The following actions will help to ensure cleanliness:

1. Wrapping all furniture and items in the room with plastic wrap. For more thorough protection, fix the material with tape.
2. Window covering with polyethylene. The width and length of the openings of the film is fixed with adhesive tape.
3. Hanging wet cloth on the front door. Wet cloth is also placed under the threshold so that the dust does not fly out into neighboring rooms.

And also it is worth taking care of your own safety. In the process of plastering and grouting the walls, it is recommended to wear a special mask, goggles and clothing. Before sending things to the washing machine, they must be thoroughly shaken out.

Conclusion

Do-it-yourself grouting of plaster is certainly a laborious process, but not very difficult. Almost anyone can master the work, even without the availability of appropriate skills. Getting a good result will require patience, practice, and quality materials. If you seriously approach the matter, then, in the end, you get beautiful and even walls, completely ready for further processing.