Grout is vulnerable to penetration by moisture and water since it is basically comprised of a mixture of cement and sand. Failing to seal tile grout leaves it vulnerable to absorbing water, stains, and bacteria. Sealing grout extends its appearance, consistency, and texture, and also prevents the growth of mildew and mold. At Tile This, we offer an array of grout and tile sealer products to help ensure clean and professional looking tile installation results.
When to Seal Tile Grout
After the completion of a tile installation, it is important to wait about 48 to 72 hours for the tile grout to dry and cure before applying grout sealer. The grout must be dry and clean, and the grout lines should be free of cracking or chipping. If these flaws are present, touch up the grout and wait for at least 48 to 72 hours before applying grout sealant.
Best Type of Grout Sealer
A penetrating grout sealer consist of a water base that enables the particles in the grout sealing formula to penetrate the grout. Since grout is porous, it readily absorbs the sealer and prevents the infiltration of moisture. This type of grout and tile sealer is ideal for use in bathroom and shower areas where there is dampness. A penetrating grout sealer is best for tiles in a bathroom and/or for standard ceramic or porcelain tiles.
Best Method of Applying Grout Sealer
There are several ways to apply grout sealer. These include painting, rolling, or spraying the sealant. The process involved with painting and rolling is about the same, but the instrument used is different. The use of a brush can presents a challenge since sometimes the sealer fails to transfer smoothly into the brush, requiring you to reapply sealer in certain areas where it did not initially apply.
Rollers are considered better than brushes by many, although not perfect by any means. When applying with a roller, the grout and tile sealer stays fairly close to the seam line without extending too much onto the surface of the tile.
With spraying, you will probably spend too much time cleaning tile of the spray. Also, some residue of the spray may be left on the tile to dry, which also takes considerable effort to remove. In addition, the spray sometimes ends up contacting areas you don’t want to coat, such as glass and walls.
Using a roller or brush to apply tile grout sealer is recommended.
For more information about the grout and tile sealer products we offer at Tile This, call us today at 952.882.0436 or leave us a message using our contact form.
