Frequently Asked Questions

How long should Decofill tile grout cure before the tiled surface is exposed to water or cleaning?

Decofill tile grout should be allowed to cure for a minimum of 24 hours at 25 degrees Celsius before the surface is exposed to light water contact (general cleaning with a damp mop). For full water immersion conditions — such as a shower area, bathroom floor, or swimming pool — the grout should cure for a minimum of 7 days before the area is put into wet service. During the initial 24 to 48 hours of curing, the grout joint should be protected from direct water contact (rain, cleaning, accidental flooding) and from foot traffic that would disturb or dislodge the uncured grout from the joint. In hot Indian summer conditions (35 degrees Celsius or more), the curing rate is accelerated and the joint may appear firm within 12 to 18 hours — however, the minimum 24-hour light-duty cure period should still be respected, as surface firmness does not indicate full chemical cure of the cement matrix in the joint. Light misting of the grout joints with water during the first 12 to 24 hours of curing (in hot, dry conditions with low humidity) can prevent premature drying and cracking of the grout surface before adequate strength development.

Can Decofill be used in a swimming pool and does the formulation withstand chlorinated water and pool chemicals?

The suitability of Fosroc Decofill for swimming pool tile joints depends on the specific Decofill formulation and colour being selected. Not all cement-based tile grouts are suitable for permanent submersion in chlorinated pool water, as chlorine and other pool chemicals can cause colour bleaching and chemical degradation of standard cementitious grouts over time. For swimming pool applications, a grout that is specifically formulated and tested for pool chemical resistance — typically a polymer-modified or epoxy grout with confirmed chlorine resistance — should be specified. Before specifying Decofill for pool tile joints, the technical data sheet for the specific Decofill variant should be checked for pool suitability, and the Space Arc Engineering technical team should be consulted to confirm the appropriate product. Where a standard cementitious grout like Decofill may not be appropriate for the pool immersion zone, Fosroc or other epoxy-based tile grouts (which provide much higher chemical resistance) are the correct specification for permanently submerged pool tile joints.

How is Decofill applied to floor tile joints and can a single person complete a large area in one session?

Decofill is applied using a rubber grout float after the tile adhesive has cured and the tiles are firmly set (minimum 24 hours after setting for standard tile adhesive, longer for large-format tiles or natural stone). The procedure is: mix the Decofill powder with clean water to a stiff paste (following the specified water-to-powder ratio on the packaging); load the rubber float with the mixed grout; work the float diagonally across the tile surface, pressing the grout firmly into the joints; remove excess grout from the tile surface by working the float at a steeper angle; and clean the tile surface with a damp (not wet) sponge while the grout is still workable, in circular motions to smooth the joint surface and remove grout haze from the tiles. The working time of Decofill (the period during which the mixed grout remains workable and can be applied and cleaned off) is approximately 30 to 45 minutes at 25 degrees Celsius — shorter in hot summer conditions. A single experienced tiler can complete 30 to 50 square metres of tile grouting per day with Decofill, depending on the tile size, joint width, and surface texture of the tiles. Very smooth glazed tiles are easier to clean than textured or matt surface tiles where the grout tends to adhere to the tile surface.