If you’ve just had the tile installed in your home, congratulations! You’ve made a beautiful and practical choice for your flooring. But before you can sit back and enjoy your new floors, there’s one important step you need to take: sealing grout. When installing new tile floors, it’s important to seal the grout to protect your investment. This will help you with tile cleaning, prevent stains and makes cleaning much easier. This blog post will discuss why sealing your new tile floor is important and a few grout sealing tips.
Sealing the grout on your newly installed tile floor may seem unnecessary, but trust us, it’s worth it. Here are three reasons why you should seal your grout:
1. To Prevent Stains
One of the most important reasons to seal your new tile floors is to protect the grout from stains and to ease the process of tile cleaning. Grout is a porous material that can easily absorb spills and dirt. If the grout is not sealed, keeping your floors clean will be very difficult. It will create a barrier that will make it much easier to keep your floors clean and free of stains. The tile is easy to clean and resistant to stains, but the grout between the tiles is not. Spills can easily penetrate unsealed grout, leaving behind unsightly stains that are difficult to remove. By taking this step, you create a barrier that protects it from spills and stains.
2. To Make Cleaning easier
Over time, dirt and grime can build up in unsealed grout, making it difficult to clean. When you seal the grout, it becomes much easier to keep it clean because the dirt and grime can’t penetrate the sealant. Sealing your new tile floors will also make maintenance easier. When the grout is sealed, you won’t have to worry about as much dirt and debris getting trapped in between tiles. It means that your floors will be easier to clean and will stay looking cleaner for longer periods of time.
3. To Prevent Mold and Mildew
unsealed grout is also susceptible to mold and mildew growth. This is especially problematic in bathrooms where there is high humidity. By doing this, you prevent mold and mildew from taking hold and making your floors difficult to clean and dangerous to walk on barefoot.
4. Prevents Cracking and Chipping
Another reason to seal the grout is to prevent cracking and chipping. Over time, tile floors can start to show wear and tear. Sealing the grout will help extend the life of your floors by preventing cracks and chips.
Here are a few grout sealing tips to help you seal your grout and keep it looking its best.
1. Choose the right sealer. There are two types of grout sealers: penetrating and surface-sealing. Penetrating sealers penetrate into the grout pores and form an invisible barrier that repels stains and dirt. Surface-sealing sealers create a protective coating on the surface of the grout that can darken the grout slightly.
2. Apply the sealer according to the manufacturer’s directions. Most sealers need to be applied with a brush or roller and then wiped off with a clean cloth.
3. Allow the sealer to dry completely before using the shower or tub. Depending on the type of sealer you use, this could take anywhere from 2 hours to 24 hours.
4. Reapply the sealer every 6 to 12 months or as needed. You’ll know it’s time to reseal when water no longer beads up on the surface of the grout or when dirt and stains start to become more difficult to remove.
Sealing your grout is important to keep your tile floors looking their best. You can protect your grout from stains and dirt by creating a barrier between your grout and the outside world. There are two main types of sealant: water-based and solvent-based. Water-based sealants are easier to apply and clean up, but they only last for a short time as solvent-based sealants. Solvent-based sealants have a stronger odour, but they’re more durable. The application process is fairly straightforward:
First, ensure your grout is clean.
Next, apply the sealant.
Finally, wipe away any excess sealant with a clean cloth.
Sealants should be reapplied every 6 to 12 months to maintain optimal protection.
Sealing the grout on your newly installed tile floors may seem like an extra step, but it’s actually an important part of maintaining your floors. Sealing the grout prevents stains, makes cleaning easier and protects against mold and mildew growth. So don’t skip this important step—seal your grout today!