[DruannB]

My husband and I renovate homes for a living. We've installed more tile floors and showers than I can count. I put an additive in our grout powder which replaces the standard water. When mixed properly, it helps prevent staining and blocks water. However, I also seal the grout lines with a top-quality sealer that I purchase at our local tile store. I wait 48 hours to seal it. I use a small squeeze bottle with a sponge on the tip, one that resembles the type you would use to seal envelopes. It gets right in the grout line and makes quick work of the job. Some tiles need sealing, but not glazed ceramic and porcelain. I'm lazy. I buy tile I don't have to seal. I had a slate floor once that required sealing every year. Never again. Sealing the grout line really does make a difference. Without it, dirt soaks in and can be difficult to remove. When it's sealed, a gentle soap and a toothbrush does wonders. I then reseal. Most builders will not seal grout lines, not because they don't believe in it, but because it's time consuming. But since it's so easy to do, you can guarantee that it's done right when you do it yourself--or hire someone. One final note. I once had a bathroom with black grout. Unsealed by the builder, it quickly turned an ugly gray due to the lack of sealing. I ended up having to paint the grout black, then I sealed it. So, if your grout is dark, seal it before it becomes a bigger problem. More sealer on top of something already sealed won't hurt it.

[Bonanza]

Builders never seal the grout in new construction unless you have paid extra for the tile installer to do so.

Tile in a shower is never sealed.

[jimbo2012]

Originally Posted by Bonanza

Tile in a shower is never sealed.

do you mean by the builder or R U saying it shouldn't be done?

[DangeloInspections]

Thank you Dotti for the very kind words....I really appreciate it.

Just to clarify....I'll be the first to admit there are many different opinions on this subject, and mine I'm sure will not be the last. I have installed tile and grouted tile for many years and there are newer products with additives that do a much better job then in the past.

So...do I believe in sealing grout? Yes. In the homes I inspect that have sealed the grout, the grout looks cleaner and I actually seem to find less cracking in sealed grout. My personal feeling is that grout is only really clean once...when it is new.

If I were installing new tile in a home with a slab I would go the extra mile and install a membrane first, so cracks in the slab would be less likely to transfer to the tile. This is not commonly done here because of cost.

I would also use some of the newer tile grout with additives that inhibit mold and are less prone to cracking.

What Dotti was referring to is a type of grout sealer designed for already stained, dirty grout. This product is perfect when you have older grout that is already dirty and stained and does not come clean no matter what you do. I bought it many times at Grout Shield | Grout Restoration System It has a siliconized color additive in it, and they can match any standard grout color. Applying this on older grout makes it look brand new, and is warrantied for 20 years. I have seen red wine and soy sauce spilled on this after it is applied and the grout does not stain and the wine and soy sauce just beads up and wipes off.

This product can also change the color of your grout if you do not like the color, or have different colors showing from repairs, etc. Before I sold a house I would use this and it made 10 year old grout look brand new.

I do not own this company or have anything to do with them. I just have used and liked their products.

If I had a tile floor that still looked new and good, I would seal it with a good quality sealer. They have sealers now that have a matt finish and you cannot even tell they were sealed.

Lastly, beware of some guys out there who do not use the correct products and have ruined some peoples tile floors. There was one guy out there who was using cheap concrete sealer, NOT made for tile floors. The result was horrible and not easily repaired. Beware....

Hope this helps.

Respectfully, Frank D.

[Bonanza]

Originally Posted by jimbo2012

do you mean by the builder or R U saying it shouldn't be done?

. . . by the builder. Sorry for the confusion.

[toots]

Thank you for your informative and appreciated opinion.

[Joyce Beeman]

Wonder why they told you not to seal the grout since it is porous? I'm battling whether to or not to seal? House is all tile except two small bedrooms.

[jimbo2012]

Not to disagree, but mine lasted over two years so far.

looks good

In this website they claim certain sealer last years, care to comment?

How Do I Choose the Best Grout Sealer? (with pictures)

"Penetrating grout sealer, sometimes called “impregnator sealer,” is the best option for most general uses, and is one of the most highly recommended products for the majority of tiling projects. It’s usually the best at preventing stains and mildew growth, and is also usually very good when it comes to maintaining and preserving grout and tile color. It can be more intensive to apply and may be more costly at the outset, however.

This type of sealer soaks through the upper porous layers of the project materials and bonds to form an impenetrable barrier. It is typically long lasting, and often doesn’t need any attention or care aside from general upkeep for as long as 10 to 15 years in most cases. "

[Advogado]

Originally Posted by jimbo2012

Ventilation helps but

Sorry I disagree, it acts as paint.

the fan will not dry a floor nor work in other areas of the house like the kitchen floor which is another area of concern

IMO sealer works great

Another trick: Use your towel to wipe off the walls. If you have a door on your shower, leave it open after you take a shower to get some air circulation through the shower until the walls and floor have dried off.

[graciegirl]

We didn't seal. Either new home here. Don't plan to.