This article was co-authored by Art Fricke. Art Fricke is a home renovation and repair specialist and the owner of Art Tile & Renovation based in Austin, Texas. With over 10 years of experience, he specializes in bathroom and kitchen renovations. Art focuses on a single contractor approach to customized renovation work, and performs projects such as installing custom tile showers, fixing tiled shower leaks, replacing cracked tiles, and installing floor and wall tile.
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Penetrating grout sealers help prevent staining and prevent grease from seeping into the grout, while other non-penetrating grout sealers form a barrier to protect the grout from water and stains. These products are advised for natural stone, ceramic and porcelain tile grout that are in bathrooms and kitchens. This article will tell you how to apply grout sealer.
Steps
Using Liquid Grout Sealer
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1Allow new grout to cure for 48 to 72 hours before sealing.[1] Existing grout should be cleaned and dried before resealing.[2]
- Make sure grout lines aren't cracked, chipped, or otherwise compromised before treating with a sealant.[3] If they are, touch up grout and wait the requisite 48 to 72 hours before sealing.
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2Tape off baseboards and other nearby surfaces. It is important to tape off these other surfaces to prevent unintentional staining.Advertisement
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3Apply sealer using a foam paint brush, paint pad or a small roller. Coat the grout lines, making sure you cover the grout joints completely. If the sealer gets on the tile, take a damp cloth and wipe the sealer off.
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4Wait 5 to 15 minutes to allow the first coat to soak into the grout.[4] Apply the second coat and wait another 5 to 15 minutes.
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5Start wiping the sealer off after 5 minutes. Use a clean, dry color appropriate towel.
- Use water and a white nylon pad or any clean cloth to scrub residue from dried grout sealant on tiles.
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6Allow the grout sealer to cure. Most sealers are dry to walk on in 2-5 hours. Keep anything that can stain the grout away for 72 hours. A full sealer cure is usually achieved in 24 to 48 hours.[5]
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7Test the grout sealant. Test the effectiveness of the grout sealant by flicking a few drops of water onto the grout line. An effective grout sealant will cause the water to puddle on top of the grout. If the grout absorbs the water, reapply sealer. Try this at various locations on the grout lines.[6]
Using Aerosol Grout Sealers
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1Shake the grout sealer can for at least a minute before using. Turn the can around and point the nozzle at the grout line to be sealed.
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2Press the nozzle and dispense sealant. Make sure to dispense the sealant from 10 to 15 inches (25 to 38 cm) away from the grout lines. Follow each grout line.
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3Wipe off excess sealant from tile with a clean cloth. The cloth can be dampened with warm water to remove dried sealant. Unlike liquid grout sealers, spray grout sealers can be removed right after application.
- Make sure that you never apply grout sealer to the surface of an unglazed tile. It will never come out of the tile.
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4Test the sealant with a drop of water after 1 hour. Apply another coat of sealant if the water is absorbed into the grout.[7]
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5Allow the sealant to cure. The treated area can be walked on once the sealant is dry to the touch. A full cure is usually achieved in 24 hours.
Expert Q&A
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QuestionIs it necessary to seal grout?
Art FrickeArt Fricke is a home renovation and repair specialist and the owner of Art Tile & Renovation based in Austin, Texas. With over 10 years of experience, he specializes in bathroom and kitchen renovations. Art focuses on a single contractor approach to customized renovation work, and performs projects such as installing custom tile showers, fixing tiled shower leaks, replacing cracked tiles, and installing floor and wall tile.
Home Renovation & Repair SpecialistGrout isn't completely waterproof, so penetrating sealers will help prevent moisture from seeping through it.
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QuestionCan I seal grout after 24 hours?Art FrickeArt Fricke is a home renovation and repair specialist and the owner of Art Tile & Renovation based in Austin, Texas. With over 10 years of experience, he specializes in bathroom and kitchen renovations. Art focuses on a single contractor approach to customized renovation work, and performs projects such as installing custom tile showers, fixing tiled shower leaks, replacing cracked tiles, and installing floor and wall tile.
Home Renovation & Repair SpecialistYou should wait about 48–72 hours to make sure the grout sets completely.Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.
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QuestionMy bathroom has been remodeled in December 2016, can I put sealant in between my tiles?
Mark SpelmanMark Spelman is a General Contractor based in Austin, Texas. With over 30 years of construction experience, Mark specializes in constructing interiors, project management, and project estimation. He has been a construction professional since 1987.
Construction ProfessionalYes now is a good time to seal. You want to make sure the grout is clean, dry and dust-free.Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.
Warnings
- The temperature of the tile and grout you are sealing must be between 50°F and 80°F (10°C to 26.6°C) at the time of application.⧼thumbs_response⧽
- Use grout sealer in a well-ventilated area. (If you are using an epoxy based sealer, then this will not be necessary.) Always wear gloves and use eye protection. These products are classified as eye, respiratory and skin irritants.[8]⧼thumbs_response⧽
Things You'll Need
- Gloves and eye protection
- Painter tape
- Brush or other application tool
- Cotton cloths
- Water
- White nylon pad
References
- ↑ Art Fricke. Home Renovation & Repair Specialist. Expert Interview. 1 July 2020.
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-seal-grout/
- ↑ http://www.lowes.com/cd_Clean+and+Seal+Grout_1351522844729_
- ↑ Art Fricke. Home Renovation & Repair Specialist. Expert Interview. 1 July 2020.
- ↑ https://www.tilecleaning.org/sealing-grout.htm
- ↑ https://www.tilecleaning.org/grout-sealer-review.htm
- ↑ https://www.tilecleaning.org/quick-seal-aerosol-sealer-review.htm
- ↑ https://hpd.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/household/brands?tbl=brands&id=8010012
About This Article
To seal grout, start by taping off baseboards and other nearby surfaces to prevent staining. Next, use a foam paint brush to apply one coat of liquid grout sealer to the grout lines, taking care to cover the grout joints. Wait 5 to 15 minutes so the sealer can soak in, then apply a second coat. Wait 5 more minutes, then use a cloth to wipe away excess sealer. Be sure to give the sealer 24 to 48 hours to fully cure! To learn about using aerosol grout sealers, read on!
