INTERCHANGEABLE SPONGE FLOATS

Concrete-based grout sponge modules

SKU# 3211 – Beige sponge spare float module 13 x 30 x 3 cm

SKU# 3221 – Beige sponge spare float module 17 x 34 x 4 cm
SKU# 3223 – Beige sponge spare float module 17 x 34 x 4 cm with cuts

SKU# 3210 – High absorbtion sponge spare float module 13 x 30 x 3 cm
SKU# 3213 – High absorbtion sponge spare float module 13 x 30 x 3 cm with cuts

SKU# 3220 – High absorbtion spare float module 17 x 34 x 4 cm
SKU# 3021 – High absorbtion spare float module 17 x 34 x 4 cm with cuts

About cleansing concrete-based grouts…

Concrete-based grouts

Concrete-base grout – the most commonly used one for joint grouting – is soluble in cold water. The classic procedure to remove its residues from tiles after grouting consists in rubbing tiles with a sponge, repeatedly rinsing it in clear water.

Absorbtion and quality

On even raw material quality category conditions, the difference between a beige (sometime called “havana”, “soft” or “tilers”) sponge and a high-absorbtion (or “sweepex”, or “white”) sponge stays in its hydrophilia, that is, in the material’s capability to absorb water. The higher the sponge absorbtion index, the easier and faster will water rinsing operations be.

Sponges with cuts

When the sponge pad is segmented into sharp-cut, tightly adjacent smaller blocks the tool grows even more efficient on grabbing and collecting small size debris from tile surfaces during cleansing operations.

Other applications

Sponges are also used by professionals for plaster smoothing. For such application, however, high absorbtion sponges would be not recommended as they would incorporate too much material. Better use beige sponges!

Epoxy-based grout sponge modules

SKU# 3211 – Cellulose sponge spare float module 13 x 30 x 2.5 cm

SKU# 3222 – Cellulose sponge spare float module 17 x 34 x 2.5 cm

SKU# 108/R – “Gnat” sponge spare float module 13 x 30 x 3 cm

A synthetical material taking the appearance of a quite solid 3D mesh. Particularly effective to facilitate quick and safe scraping of epoxy grout deposits from tile surfaces.

About cleansing epoxy-based grouts…

Epoxydic grouts

Epoxydic-based grouts is not soluble in cold water. Also, it crystallizes very quickly on a sponge surface. Cleansing out residues from an epoxy-based grouting operation involves rubbing with a specific sponge. As a consequence, an epoxy crystals layer will rapidly settle onto the sponge, which will have in their turn be removed mainly by mechanical action (by wiping the dry sponge onto the rolls or the edges of a tiler’s bucket). Water rinsing in this case is solely intended to facilitate crystals elimination after they have been scratched off the sponge surface.

Specific application

Sponges recommended for concrete-based grouts are counter-indicated for epoxy grouts, insofar as they are too soft and overly attackable by the epoxy grout. When used, they easily “stick” onto the joint, and get torn off.

Alternatives

Epoxy-based grout cleansing is commonly conducted using various materials/tools: cellulose sponges, synthetical sponges and felts. Such three options offer very similar results and efficiency. On an even materials quality level, choosing one tool or the other is fundamentally a personal preference.