Tiles: Is it safe to walk before grouting?

Tiles are durable and stay the same quality as the day it was installed, so many people choose to use tiles in their houses.

However, it won’t look as pretty if you mess up the installation process. Tiles can’t be stepped on before grouting since there’s a risk of messing up the alignment.

While it may take a couple of days for it to finish drying up, it’s worth the wait instead of having to reinstall the misaligned tiles.

Can I walk on the tile before grouting?

No, you cannot. Tiles use thin set mortar for the laying process. If they are disturbed before being fully set then you can expect that the tiles from your bathroom wall will soon fall off.

Moreover, tiles are quite vulnerable at this stage. Your tiles may crack and pop off if you continue exerting pressure onto them before they set.

Is it okay to walk on the tile after 12 hours?

It depends on what type of thin set, grout, and sealant you used. Some products set quickly and some products do not.

If you’re sure that everything’s properly dry and that you used quick-set products then go ahead and test it out.

Sometimes, suppliers also put suggested drying times for their products so your drying time can be based on that. Although, it’s still better to follow the standard drying time.

When can I walk on tiles after grouting?

Ideally, you should only walk on it 24 hours after grouting. It is also preferred to wait a long time gap of 48 to 72 hours.

This is to ensure that everything’s been dried and ready to walk on. Otherwise, you’re in for another round of installation.

If the grout is still wet, there’s a chance that the tiles will shift, become loose, and even break apart.

Is it okay to walk on freshly laid tiles?

No, you should never walk on freshly laid tiles. While the curing process takes only 20 minutes, you still can’t walk on it.

Freshly laid tiles are the same as after grouting. You have to wait for at least 24 hours (and preferably more) just to walk on it.

This waiting time will determine the quality of your tiles, both beauty and durability, once time passes by. Think of it like this, the longer you wait, the stronger and better your tiles get.

It’s an emergency, I have to walk on the tiles!

If it’s necessary and there’s no other choice then remove your shoes and use plywood to go across the unfinished tile.

Again, it’s highly recommended to wait for at least a day before walking on tiles. And if it can be avoided then it must be avoided at all costs. Walking on uncured tiles should be a last resort.

The proper interval from thin-set to grout

Most products include a specific drying time. But generally, you should wait 24 hours before you can grout your tiles after laying them.

It’s also better if you wait longer than that since everything must be dried before you choose to start the grouting process.

Tiles rely heavily on the adhesives but the adhesives can’t do their job if they’re stepped on before they’re fully set/dried.

This is because the adhesives need air to cure. If you were to tamper with it in any way, the adhesives would lose their quality and will also loosen your tiles.

Grouting and thin-set on the same day?

It’s possible to grout on the same day as the laying process if you choose to use a rapid set thin set as well as a rapid set grout.

The only thing you need to check is the consistency of the thin set. Sometimes, it would appear as dry even though on the inside, it’s still wet.

So, if you’re using quick-set products then you should be aware of how to spot a completely dried thin set/grout.

You can also try applying it as thin as possible so that it’d dry quickly. Although, when looking at the risks of failure, waiting for at least a day is still the proper method for pre-grout.

Tips on avoiding stepping on tiles during the laying process

Accidents tend to happen, especially with construction projects. I can’t count the number of minor mistakes I made when I wasn’t paying attention.

Thankfully, it can easily be avoided if you apply the proper safety measures for the laying process.

Do it in sections

Having sections for the laying process allows you to have ample room to move around the area so you won’t accidentally step on anything.

Additionally, once the old sections dry, you’ll be able to step on them and not have to twist and turn so that you can get a good footing to lay the tiles.

Leave pathways

There are areas that you’ll need to continuously access during the project. These are called ‘essential pathways’ and usually, it’s the fridge and bathroom.

Knee pads/Dolly

You’ll be able to maneuver quickly and safely using knee pads and a dolly. This will help you avoid stepping on things since you’ll be rolling around instead.

Be patient

This is one of the key traits that you need to have when it comes to tile projects. Remember, you shouldn’t rush anything since there’s a risk of ruining the project.

You could try letting other sections dry off so that you can step on them the next day. This way, you’ll have enough walking space and effectively avoid unfinished tiles.

Letting it cure and dry with time will also increase its quality, especially since tiles are mostly kept for a long time in homes.

Conclusion

When it comes to tiles, they age like wine. The longer you wait for the curing and drying process, the longer your adhesive bonds with your tiles, making them stronger.

That’s why most people would opt to wait around 24 to 48 hours for each of the curing and drying processes.

So, if you want to use tiles for your home, make sure to pack some extra patience because it’ll surely take a long time!