Step By Step Process Of Sealing Mosaic Tile Grout
Sealing is one of the most essential parts when it comes to dealing with mosaic tile grout due to the reason that it waterproofs the piece, improves the adhering power of the adhesive, as well as stain proofs the final piece. Sealing will also help in keeping the moisture out of the backing board and gives the glue something to stick to. Even though your bathroom tiles are clean, still filthy & unpleasant grout lines can really take away from the look of your tiled floors as well as walls. Due to the fact that cement-based grout, whether sanded or not, is penetrable & absorbent by nature, substances like oil, grease, and water have a tendency to seep inside and cause unattractive discoloration. The finest way to get rid of this is to seal your new grout and repeat if necessary, every year and more often than not for grout in the shower or on the bathroom backsplash.
Tools & Materials Needed
- Toothbrush
- Vinegar
- Sponge
- Dish Soap
- Grout Sealer
- Cotton Rags
Step 1: Clean And Repair Grout
First of all, clean your grout rigorously before repairing any cracks or crumbles in the grout lines. If you will not clean the grout, then you are, in all likelihood, going to seal in dirt and damaged seams. Get rid of as much of the grime as you possibly can with the help of a toothbrush dipped in soapy water. If in case you are going to remove stains, then apply a 50-50 vinegar and warm water solution to the stain affected area. Handle one grout line at a time. As soon as you are done with cleaning the grout, permit the area to dry for nearly 45 minutes before sealing.
Step 2: Choose Your Sealer
Now, select your sealer which is totally dependent on the type of tile you have and its location. Remember that the same sealer is not best suited for all situations. When you visit your home improvement store, you will find that the variety of products available permits for a certain level of customization. Labels will let you know which sealers work exceptionally well with marble, stone, as well as ceramic tiles, and also how much moisture the sealer can accept or endure, high moisture in the shower or low moisture along with a kitchen backsplash. Two main types of sealers which are totally dependent on your tile and its location include penetrating sealers and membrane-forming sealers.
- Penetrating Sealers: Use a water or mineral spirit base that allows the formula’s small particles of latex or silicone to penetrate the grainy or sandy structure of the grout. Due to the fact that the porous grout soaks up the sealer, the latex and silicone particles saturate all the gaps, keeping moisture out. These types of sealers can best be used in damp areas, including bathrooms and showers.
- Membrane-forming Sealers: This type of sealer creates a thin layer or covering on the surface of the grout that holds out against water permeation. These sealers work perfectly in the kitchen but not in the bathroom, due to the reason that they won’t allow water that’s trapped below the tile to evaporate, which, in a waterlogged shower, could lead to mildew. While membrane-forming sealers are good for unglazed tile like stone, they won’t stick to glazed tiles, such as the majority of the ceramics.
Step 3: Choose Your Sealer Applicator
The next thing is to select the applicator tool that is best suited for your grout. Although aerosol spray-on sealers are convenient to be used on the grout, still in some cases they may not be the best choice. Irrespective of the tool you select, go through the manufacturer’s instructions carefully on how to seal the grout.
- For very thin grout lines and unsealed tiles, a sponge permits you to seal larger sections of your bathroom, both walls as well as floors easily by cleaning over both surfaces at once.
- As far as glazed tiles are concerned where sealer won’t adhere, seal only the grout lines with the help of an applicator brush or specialty applicator bottle having a rolling wheel on top.
Step 4: Apply Sealer Slowly And Deliberately
After that, put or spread a sealer in small areas at a time, going from left to right. By doing it according to a systematic or established procedure, your grout lines will be more even & uniform and your sealer will provide better protection, no spots will be ignored or disregarded. Keep a dry cloth nearby in order to clean off the excess sealer. Whether you’re cleaning over a large area or using an applicator in order to prevent drips on glazed tile, make sure to get rid of sealer from the tile before it begins to dry within 5 to 7 minutes of application.
Step 5: Apply A Second Coat Of Sealer
As soon as you are done with the first coat, allow it to dry for nearly an hour before applying a second coat. Usually, three coats of sealer are sufficient enough to achieve adequate protection. After fully drying the second coat, examine the surface with a few drops of water. At this time the liquid should bubble up into droplets, if not, spread a third coat to ensure quality results. Finally, dry your tiled space fully. Some sealers require only 24 hours to cure, while some can take up to 48 hours, go through the manufacturer’s instructions regarding how to seal the grout in order to be absolutely sure. A good sealer is a kind of sealer that takes less time to clean grout, so this is one routine task that will make your routine bathroom cleaning a breeze.