If water evaporates too quickly from freshly laid grout, the ultimate strength of the grout will be lost and it will powder or chip. Hot weather grouting techniques should be employed whenever temperatures reach or exceed 85F. Low humidity (below 50%) and strong ventilation also affect grouting since evaporation is accelerated. Follow these simple steps and prevent job failures:

1. Store grout inside, away from heat. Do not store in direct sunlight. If outside, cover grout with tarp or place in shade.

2. When mixing grout, use cool, clean water only.

3. Moisten tile, especially edges, with a damp sponge. More absorbtive tiles require more wetting. This prevents the rapid loss of water from the grout into the tile.

4. Use shades or screens to block sunlight or wind. Besides preventing evaporation this also allows the grout to cure uniformly in color.

5. If possible, schedule grouting to be done during the coolest part of the day.

6. Damp cure the installation as explained in "How to Grout Properly" (above). Covering of the installation should be done immediately.

7. Avoid possible problems by using Super-Tek's Acrylic Grout Additive, which imparts additional water-retentive properties to the grout allowing it to cure to its full strength.