Welcome back Happinow. So good to hear from you! I am moving into my home this Friday, so all your recommendations are very much appreciated.

leenie24, Happy moving in to your new home! Hope everything goes smoothly. :wave:

Feeling silly
 

Oh geez......I realized after I was corrected that my original number was the right one. Talk about who's on first! Glad we got it right, finally. I guess Tim is a popular man!

Grout sealing
 

I believe that sealing the tile helps keep the grime out. When dirt builds up it is much harder to clean. The clear seal protects It from dirt getting settled in. They did my showers as well. The grout in the shower will still turn brown when wet after it is sealed but when it dries it will go back to it's original color. I have an expanded gardenia model and I think about 2,200 sq ft and our cost was 2,600. Our whole house is tile. It is pricey but he also cleans and buffs all of your tile and it looks really nice when he is finished. Hope that helps answer your questions.

?
 

We were told by our builder to not seal the tile for the first year.

And I have no idea why?

It does cancel the warranty on the tile to seal it. We have chosen to not seal our tile. We lived in our house in Hadley for three years and cleaned the floor frequently. Nothing ever changed as far as grout color.

If you knew me well, you would know I am an enthusiastic house cleaner, the product of generations of German haufraus. If it gets stained I will just add a little bleach to the water when we clean it. Henry is now our "Sharker". Bless his heart, he has taken over many of the chores that used to be mine. I am truly loving this retirement.

Many have sealed the grout themselves and it is no small task.

It is an option that can be done at any time. Either sealing it yourself or having it sealed. Our grout isn't "white white" but more of a ...greyish tanish grout. Not so quick to look dirty.

Just my take. I will be shrieking if it gets real dirty looking. This is a dirty place.

Yes I think it was pricey but if I follow you, you had the tile and the grout sealed.
My question is if the tile is a ceramic or porcelain tile you only need to seal the grout not the tile that type of tile is sealed in its manufacture?

The question I have is why your grout in the shower will still turn brown when wet?

It should not when sealed. :mad:

I think several of you may get the myths v facts here about this issue.


Also if you have the inclination it is an very easy $40 DIY project.
see this [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSf0QChllVg"]clip[/ame]


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Jumbo, you are right they don't seal the ceramic tile, just the grout. They buff and clean the ceramic to make it shine. We still had a lot of residue left on our tile when we moved in and having the tile cleaned and buffed made it look beautiful. I would suggest, however, that if you are having contractors in and out at first, you wait until they are finished completing the "dirty" work. I did not even think when I had them come in before the crown molding and closet people. For two days after I had my tiled buffed and cleaned I had to go back through and re vacuum and mop. Talk about a back breaker! If I had to do it again, I would have the grout sealed after the interior contractors were finished. A lot less work for me.

Pretty tile
 

Jumbo, you are right they don't seal the ceramic tile, just the grout. They buff and clean the ceramic to make it shine. We still had a lot of residue left on our tile when we moved in and having the tile cleaned and buffed made it look beautiful. I would suggest, however, that if you are having contractors in and out at first, you wait until they are finished completing the "dirty" work. I did not even think when I had them come in before the crown molding and closet people. For two days after I had my tiled buffed and cleaned I had to go back through and re vacuum and mop. Talk about a back breaker! If I had to do it again, I would have the grout sealed after the interior contractors were finished. A lot less work for me.

Gracie, I fail to understand why and where is that stated?

I don't remember where it is stated. I THINK the builder tells you that at walk through. I know I have read it on this forum many times.

I don't know why.

This is a question for your rep. Do you have a rep Jimbo? You CAN trust your rep on these issues, in MY humble opinion.

Ours is Jim McLaughlin.

Another thing to be thinking about is that there is some debate on here all of the time whether things are needed or not. There are all kinds of folks who are interested in selling you stuff.

It would be interesting to have a poll on how many have extra downspouts installed and how many have their garage floor finished. How many have pine straw or pebbles. How many have water conditioners...on many things it is a matter of perceived need or a matter of taste.

On others it is a good selling job.

The bottom line is that it is your property. You can do anything but put in a flock of flamingos.

Sure I have a good rep in fact it's a husband & wife team.

But to say I can't have a flock of flamingos :cryin2:

Oh wait I can have two pets.................:oops:

Is two a flock?

As far as having things done or added to your home I agree it's your disposable income or put another way you're simply depleting your kids inheritance.:smiley:

Grouting
 

I'm sure grouting is a personal preference and I'm glad I'm not in charge of that decision....

Welcome back Happinow! Great info!! How's you new golf cart?bb:wave:

(Here it comes...........wait for it..............) So that would make it two flocking pets? :faint: :1rotfl:

:jester:

Bill :wave:

Cutie cart
 

Bill and sandy, our golf cart comes tomorrow as we have been too busy to get it any earlier and also we had to make room in the garage. Can't wait to drive it. Maybe a tootle around the neighborhood tomorrow is an order to get use to it without being in traffic. I must say, it's cuter than a button!