In case you already decided for sealing your ceramic tiles, you will receive the benefits of this action. But only if you do this job properly, otherwise, you can put your entire floor in the danger. This is why it is important to seal it by the book and not miss any of the steps. There are people who do that and then they regret it. They have to re-grout the flooring, and lose the time and money while doing it. I suggest you take this seriously and do this job right.

First, sealing the grout does not last so long as it says on the product label. Manufacturer would like you to believe that, but the truth is different. In case you have a 5 year sealer warranty, it will probably last for 6 months. And that would be maximum if you use a grout sealer in your bathroom, since there is a lot of moisture in that room.

You have to do this in a strict fashion. Take the quality sealer, which is actually a more expensive product. You have to know that nothing that is cheap has high quality. This is just the way things are, and you can apply that to any other product out there. When you hear stories of people buying products that replace the original, but for a lot less money, be sure that they are not telling the truth. Those products will be able to do the job, but it won’t be right. In near future, it will all fall apart. The same thing is with the grout sealers.

Since you already payed a lot of money for your tile floor, it is wise to invest more money to protect that investment. And you will need to pay $100 per gallon or more. Do not take anything that is cheaper than that. You can, but I do not guarantee you success. And I do not guarantee that you will not be doing the same thing over again, very soon.

When you got the sealer, make sure your floors are clean. Do NOT use detergents or heavy soaps to clean the tiles. Use water and some white vinegar. If you use soap, then you will dull the floor. They will have sticky surface that will attract all the dirt that comes into room. And the mop you are using should be clean too. Wash it as many times as you can. You want the water to do most of the business, the mop is just there to flush it all away, so it has to stay clean.

It is crucial that you follow these instructions. If you don’t, the sealer will lose its life expectancy. It is as simple as that. If you do not want to invest time into cleaning, it is better for you to keep the grout as it is. Do not seal it. Yes, that’s right.

The reason is simple. There can be some dirt left and it will destroy the sealing. Then it is better just to clean it when you feel the need to. Only if you can to the preparations right and clean the entire floor with perfection, I recommend sealing. The dirt has to come on the surface and totally exit the flooring. Only after that the sealing will bring results.

Decide what can you do between these two solutions. I, of course, recommend sealing your ceramic tile floor. But if you can’t do the cleaning properly and buy a quality grout sealer, it is best that you leave things as they are.

Tags: Know How by admin
1 Comment »

The purpose of sealing grout is to make it water and mildew resistant, and to help keep out dirt. Many mosaic articles and books say you must always seal grout. I don’t always agree. In my opinion, indoor wall-hanging mosaics displayed in dry environments don’t need sealing. I simply don’t bother because my indoor wall hangings don’t get wet or dirty. However, indoor mosaics exposed to dirt and moisture (e.g., tabletops and backsplashes) should, indeed, be sealed.

Grout on all outdoor mosaics should always be sealed for maximum protection from dirt and weather.

There are two basic types of grout sealers: 1) Penetrating, and 2) Membrane forming.

Penetrating Sealers: These sealers soak into the grout and leave deposits when the base liquid evaporates. The deposits, typically latex or silicone, fill the voids in the grout, which then helps the grout resist dirt, grease, and liquid. Penetrating sealers usually don’t change the grout color, except to slightly darken it. Higher quality sealers typically result in less grout discoloration.

Membrane-forming Sealers: These sealers don’t soak into the grout; instead, they stay on the grout surface and harden, usually to a glossy finish (i.e., they form a thin membrane on the grout surface). Membrane-forming sealers are typically used in grout dyes to purposely change the grout color.

Note that sealers don’t provide 100% protection in all conditions. Read product labels carefully under the heading of “Limitations” and you’ll notice that they typically say “repel” or “resist,” which aren’t the same as “provides complete protection.” Don’t expect sealers to prevent staining in all circumstances.

I prefer a high quality penetrating grout sealer on my glass mosaics. My favorite is TileLab SurfaceGard Penetrating Sealer made by Custom Building Products. It’s water based, easy to apply, cleans easily off glass tesserae, and repels dirt, water, oil, and stains. I apply it to my mosaic tabletops and trivets using a soft paintbrush to spread it over the entire surface. Two minutes later after the sealer soaks into the grout, I use paper towels to wipe excess sealer off the glass tesserae. Then, after another two minutes, I use a clean towel to buff off any remaining residue. If you wipe the sealer off the tesserae within a few minutes after applying it, there’s usually no problem with it dulling or damaging the glass.

Although the product label recommends two coats, I tested it and found that one coat is usually enough for my indoor mosaic tabletops and trivets. When first trying the product, I let the sealer dry for two hours and then applied a drop of water to a grout line. The water beaded instead of soaking in, indicating the grout was adequately sealed. So, I use only one coat for my indoor mosaics that need stain and water resistance. However, for all outdoor mosaics, I always apply two coats.

It’s important to wipe off excess sealer from glass tesserae within a few minutes of applying it. Don’t risk the sealer dulling your glass with a residue that may be impossible to remove if left to thoroughly dry. Also, when using grout sealer, don’t forget to take proper safety precautions. Read and follow the product label.

Tags: Know How by groutsealer
1 Comment »