Posted: 12/7/2014 5:03:02 PM EDT
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Do I need to remove all of the tile spacers before grouting? Some of these are very difficult to get out.
Also, I read something about chipping away excess mortar between tiles. Is this necessary as well? |
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Quoted: As long as grout will cover over the spacers and adhesive, grout it. 40 years of tile experience.
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grab som pliers and pull them out, or break them. Some are meant to be broken if you use those fancy leveling system ones.
Also you should have cleaned excess thinset soon after laying the tiles, like 15minutes so it would not have completely set but would be easier to clean up. Good luck |
| Yes, remove the spacers as well as thinset. If there is built up thinset in the joints, it could cause the grout to discolor or chip out due to it being thinner depending on the type of grout. I use a box knife to scrape joints. I like to scrape atleast least half the depth of the ground joint. |
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So it looks like the consensus is get them out and also the mortar. I put most of them in flat versus sticking part of the cross into the joint, so they're coming out hard. I have a large flat tip screwdriver and I'm banging on them with my linemans. I'll get 'em out.
Thanks for all the responses. Other websites I searched weren't as clear. |
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Quoted:
Too late now but if your motar is flowing up in the joints it is a sign you used a trowel with oversize notches or you didn't trowel with enough presure or thinset is too thin or too much pressure on tiles or severely un level floors. careful using metal tools between the tiles especially if you used ceramic tiles, easy to chip them. I switched to the hard plastic spacers several years ago. |
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I had never layed tile in my life but with some tips from those who had I successfully ripped up the linoleum in my kitchen and both bathrooms and replaced it with ceramic tile and it came out great. I used those little flexible spacers and they came right out after the tiles set. And I really loved this little laser jewel for lining things up!!!  |
This is on the bathroom wall around the top and sides of the tub/shower surround. More of an accent than an actual functioning water barrier. This is an old house and the walls are a bit funky. I may have applied a bit too much mortar before pushing them on. There again, I might have put them on farmer strong. Either way, there on there good now and it came out looking professional. 
ETA; the spacers are kind of flexible gummy spacers if that matters. ETA2; there isn't that much excess mortar in the joints. Only a few tiles have excess exceeding the halfway point on the tile joint. If that makes sense. |
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Quoted:
I've done this.The answer is yes. And it's not that hard to do with a hefty pair of needle nose pliers. This. Don't be lazy. You will likely be seeing them in a few years if you don't. A previous owner of my house took this shortcut and many others. I found the other things during remodels and repairs. I may track him down just so I can punch him and tell him why he is a dumbass. It's very unlikely that he is of German descent (like me  ).
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