Methods for grouting tile

Claim 1

In a method of grouting tile which comprises the steps of: a. trowelling a grouting composition consisting of an aqueous mortar composition having a viscosity in the range of 10,000 cps to 4,000,000 cps which comprises a film-forming water resistant polymer selected from the group consisting of water resistant polymer emulsions having a solids content of at least 40 percent capable of coalescing upon the loss of water from the grouting composition and water-dispersible, room temperature cross-linkable polymers, and a water insoluble filler; on a tiled substrate and into the joints between the tile, said tile placed on said substrate; b. removing excess grout from the tile faces; c. washing the tile surface and shaping the joints to the desired configuration; and d. cleaning the tile once the tile face is dry; the improvement which comprises an additional step of applying to the grout after trowelling a material consisting of an aqueous solution of a polyvalent metal salt or ammonium chloride having a concentration of from 1 percent by weight to saturation applied as a thin film of liquid which beneficially changes the rheology of the grout subsequent to its placement between tiles.