Sealing Sanded Grout

The reason I titled this sealing sanded grout is to define the only type of grout we seal: sanded grout. Sanded grout is the rough textured grout (that contains sand) found in ceramic and porcelain tile installations. Non sanded or unsanded grout is used in natural stone floors or walls, and when it really gets dirty, it does not clean like sanded grout. Therefore, sealing nonsanded grout is pretty much a waste of time.


Grout Cleaning



Unsanded or wall grade grout is used by stone installers because 1-they typically have a narrower grout joint, 2-they could scratch a tiles surface when grouting 3- sanded grout makes a restoration using a diamond grinder difficult. It is more like caulk than cement, and dirt has an easier time penerating.Lets say you have a newly installed tile floor. Or freshly cleaned. In many cases a fresh cleaned tile floor will be cleaner than when it was new because construction residues will be finally cleaned off. The question becomes: how am I going to keep the grout from getting dirty.We now have to get into the role of a sealer, and what your options are.
Rule #1 The sealer is for the grout only. Sealers we use for marble penetrate into the stone and have no surface residue. Ceramic tiles are much harder than stone, and with virtually no porosity, they will accept no sealer. If you do get sealer residue on a tile, it will invariably attract soil, and lay on top of the tiles. Rule #2 Only use water based sealer. The reason for this is found in the application process. Solvent based sealers are manufactured to be dispensed from a solvent resistant sprayer across a broad area. Grout sealer should only be applied to the grout joint. Dried sealer on the tile will attract soil and will be clearly visible. Applicators available through retail channels all have advantages as well as drawbacks, but none we know of are solvent resistant.Rule #3 Apply to dry grout. If done after cleaning the grout need to be dried with air movers. Sealers create and oil and water repellant layer, and this is difficult to do if water is present.Rule #4 How to apply the water based sealer. As has been mentioned, sealer residue on a ceramic tile will be visible and will attract soil. The sealer is made to penetrate a porous material, and ceramic tile is not porous. Many professional grout cleaners will simply spray the sealer on the floor and attempt to squeegee into the grout joint. As you can see in the pictures below, Fabric & Tile Masters uses a commercial tool to flood the grout joint, avoiding application to the tile. Some professionals spray sealer on the tile, followed by buffing the sealer off. At least these individuals are trying to remove the excess, and for that we applaud them. Grout sealers are designed to help the end user clean up stain and spills that are dealt with promptly. The sealer should give you a chance to clean up the spill. If it is a heavy staining material like motor oil or ink, and you don't get it up before it penetrates, it will likely become a permanent stain. In 90% of homes, you walk through your garage door onto the tile and begin to clean off your feet. This cleaning will be completed on your master bedroom carpet. No grout sealer will prevent this type of soil from getting the grout dirty. Mopping, grout scrubbing, -periodic professional cleaners, and reapplication of sealer are all necessary.If you are going to hire a professional company to clean your tile and grout we recommend you find one that cleans with both an acid and an alkaline. They should also be able to detail how they seal the grout without getting sealer on the tile.