Sealing Grout

[Steve B]

I have 1 in. mosaic porcelain tiles in a laundry room. I would like to seal the grout. With so many grout lines and the tile so small, what is the easiest way to seal the grout? Thanks.

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[Jim Cuviello]

On larger grout lines we actually use a sponge brush and paint each one. Of course doing that with one inch tiles would take a long time. We get a squegee and pull the impregnator across the floor. Do small sections as you go. Let the impregnator sit in the grout lines for a few minutes and then pull the excess to the next area, wipe up any that may be left on the tiles. Most manufacturers of impregnator will tell you that you can put a second coat on within in a few hours. You will get better results if you wait 24 hours. The reason they tell you a few hours is because it has become a marketing pissing match. If product A says 24 hours and product B says 4 hours whos will you most likley try? Re application will work in a few hours but for best result wait 24 hours. If you call the manufacturer and ask them they have been trained to tell you a few hours. We have used many out on the market but to date our favorite is MB-4 from mbstone.com

[doitright]

Hi Steve :)

If you use a water based impregnator, you can use a sponge. Pour product into container, dip sponge, and wipe. You'll notice that the grout joints with sealer on them will darken.

Make sure you wipe up excess as you go. On smaller jobs, I even use a wide brush and or squeege, to move excess sealer to next area. I also suggest using a lint free towel (or those Scott Rags in a box), to totally remove residue as I go. This will help eliminate problems down the road, and avoid any overapplication issues.

On porous applications, some manufactures suggest to apply wet on wet. You really have to be familiar with sealing to know when this is necessary.

I agree with Jim, on the safe side, wait 24 hrs. between applications (if necessary).

[claycarson]

For mosaics, we pour it onto the floor and use a 20-24 inch floor squeegee to move it along and push it into grout joints. Then wait the required time, and wipe everything in a kinda 'aerobic' maniac manner with lots of clean dry white towels.

To 'paint' each grout line individually would render you suitable for the funny farm halfway through the job.

This method will put the sealer all over the tiles, too. So what? Every other method will too with small tiles. At least this way you don't leave lots of excess and you don't waste much and the job gets done when you are still relatively young.

I shamelessly copied this from someone on the board. I won't name names, I'll just act like it was my idea.