Archive for the ‘tile’ Category

Ode to Grout, and fixer upper houses

Monday, April 7th, 2008


There are very few conversations that include the word “grout” in them. Grout is one of the most under utilized words, and unappreciated substances in the English language. Yet, where would tilers be without grout? And yes, where would all of us who have tiled floors or walls be without this cementy substance?

This weekend, in a never-ending effort to finish repairing our fixer-upper house so we can rent it out, the family undertook to tile the closet floor. This was one of several smaller do-it- yourself projects that remain to be done before we can call this house finished.

Here is how it went down.

Step 1.

Number 1 son expertly cuts tile for the floor (note ear plugs -not an MP3- for protection).

Number 1 son precisely mixes the mortar to the right “peanut buttery” consistency.

Number 2 son carefully transfers the mortar from the mixing bucket to the transfer bucket.

Number 2 son and I precisely apply mortar to back of tile. Number 2 son expresses amazement over incredible precision.

Angy relentlessly spreads the much-anticipated “grout” into the spaces between tiles.

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