4 sealant applications, grout still looks like it absorbs water!

[skiadct]

Hi there,

On my new tile shower installation I used TileLabs Surfacegard with Teflon (from Home Depot-and it's expensive!) sealant per the application instructions. I have applied it about 4 times. When we use the shower, the grout looks like it is wet afterwards, and water does not appear to bead up on the grout. Is this normal? How do you know when your grout is sealed?
Should I reseal with another brand? What to do? Thanks!
Bryan+

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[Davestone]

Usually you drip some water on it and see how long it takes to soak in, or disappear.I would think a couple applications of this product with a decen 5to10 minute soaking in time,should seal this grout.I mean this tile guy says to just give the grout a quick wipe with it,.........http://www.ceramic-tile.com/tileman.cfm?sdate=%7Bts%20'2005-12-05%2001:16:11'%7D

[skiadct]

I tried that, and it appears to still soak into the grout. I can't figure it out after having applied the sealant liberally several times. After showering, the grout appears to have absorbed water rather than it beading up on the surface of the grout. Any advice from here moving forward?

[Davestone]

Okay, lets start over, was the shower damp or wet when you sealed it, is it a new shower, did the grout cure for three days?What kind of grout is it?

[hamlet_jones]

That product from Tilelab is EXPENSIVE. The manager at my HomeDepot told me that they have had problems with people purchasing the product, using it, and then refilling the empty container with water, resealing it, then returning it.... Beware!

[skiadct]

The grout is sanded grout, I think it's called Polyblend and it's from Home Depot. I let it cure for three days before sealing. The grout was dry when applying it. I'm pretty sure it was authentic because it smelled like a chemical and not like water.

I called the company, and they say it's normal for grout to look wet after it has had water on it for a little while. They say it should initially bead, then the grout will soak up some of the water, leaving the grout looking wet. Is this true? Should sealant waterProof the grout comepletely or should it still absorb some water and look wet.

Thanks!
Bryan

[doitright]

Hi Brian :)

It depends on the sealer. There is a term called "wetting" (at least it's one of my terms). :D This is when the surface initially resists water, but then "wets" out. When wiped dry, the surface will dry out quickly. We see this commonly in showers and exterior pavers.

Does your surface (grout) lighten quickly after the water is wiped away, or does it take a while to lighten back to normal.

If it takes a while to lighten, and you've applied several coats of their best sealer, I would consider changing sealers (or continue applying coats until you achieve desired results).

On porous surfaces, it is best to apply the sealer, let it soak into the surface, then after several minutes, buff the tile dry. Let the sealer dry overnight before applying subsequent coats. Repeat as necessary.

[judaroonie]

Just cruising some other posts, and noted that I used that very same sealer from Home Depot to unsuccessfully seal my granite top from Home Depot. I applied it for 5-10 minutes, 3 separate times and my granite still soaked up water like a sponge until I bought and applied Bulletproof last week. (See my post: waterspots, sealers, and granite....last posting 8/21).

Bulletproof (cost 2X the Tilelab stuff -$50 + shipping) stays on 15-30 minutes. I wondered if maybe the Tilelab would have worked had it stayed on longer? Or is there a bad batch out there? Mine had a seal I remember removing so I doubt it was tampered with. This seems a strange coincidence that this stuff is not sealing at $25 a bottle.

[skiadct]

I think it's ridiculous to have to spend this kind of money on sealants... I thought $30 was way too high for the tilelabs' product. I only bought it because they recommended it, but they clearly didn't know much about it.

The mfr says grout will still absorb water and look wet no matter what sealant you use... Is this true?

[doitright]

Hi Judy :)

Some people have had success with this sealer, but more have not (at least on this forum). We just don't recommend it, because of it's track record here.

[skiadct]

DOITRIGHT,

It takes a while for the grout to lighten back up, or dry completely. I would say over an hour. Do you think I need to try a different sealer? Is there something that is good AND inexpensive? Obviously the expensive stuff is not good in this case... (or is it and I'm overly paranoid?) My problem is that I'm not sure what the properties of sealed tile are as this is my first ever tiling project...

if you recommend a new sealer, what kind should I use? Do I need to use a stripper to remove the old sealant before applying new? Will my grout be ok if I don't get to this right away? (I'm a student and don't have much time to deal with it until break).

Thanks
Bryan

[doitright]

Hi Bryan :)

If all of your grout darkens with water after a couple of coats of sealer, something is either wrong with the sealer, or with the method of application.

Is this on the walls and shower pan?

How did you apply the sealer?

Personally, I'd use a different sealer.

[Tile-cleaning]

Lets make this even easier for you.

In a shower you will always have problems with moisture. That is what happens in there. Everything gets wet.

You did the right thing by applying a sealer produt to the grout.
Sealers are mostly meant to prevent staining of surfaces and below.

They are meant to be a temporary barrier in the event of a spill of somesort.

Now, continous water is another matter, it will soak in. It just happens.

Now if you want to really slow it down, then you can apply a latex based topical stain seal to the grout lines. This will act more like a barrier but is also harder to take care of in the long run.

[skiadct]

All of it darkens. It's a tub/shower alcove with three walls, so no shower pan.
I can't believe the tech support guy I talked to would just flat out tell me the opposite.

I applied it using a sponge, dipping it into a small bucket with full strength sealer in it. I applied it very liberally and followed all instructions.

Do I need a stripper?

Thanks!

[skiadct]

Tile-Cleaning,

Do you recommend this latex stain sealer for application in my shower? Any recommendations?

Thanks!

[doitright]

Hi Darrel :)

I have to disagree with you. There are some excellent performing sealers available, without having to get into a topical. It should not take an hour to dry out after applying 4 coats of any sealer.

Hi Bryan :)

You definitely used a correct application method. You won't need a stripper to apply a new sealer.

[skiadct]

Any brand locally available at Lowe's or Home depot in mind? I will get a new one and apply it hoping for better results.

[Tile-cleaning]

Here is an example of a latex stain seal on a floor, but it works great in showers.

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m217/dasilvertouch/th_Stainseal.jpg (http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m217/dasilvertouch/Stainseal.jpg)

[Tile-cleaning]

I understand what you are saying about the one hour dry time being high doitright, but I clean floors that all day long and in some bathrooms where there is little ventilation it can easily be 2-3 hours before grout dries and this is after Ive vacuumed all excess up.

A shower stall is very humid, and has poor ventilation. Not to mention the moisture is going to evap even slower due to being below the surface of the grout. A topical sealer will atleast help speed this up. That, hard water, and mold are the biggest reasons I use topical in a constantly wet area. You only have to clean the surface in order to maintain it.

[Tile-cleaning]

You asked for a local brand, where are you at?

[doitright]

Hi Bryan :)

You have a couple of choices. You may need to lood for a specific tile distributor. Some favorites have been Aqua Mix Sealers Choice. You can stop chasing around and order Stone Techs Heavy Duty Stone Sealer right from our TYW Store. Just click on the icon above or in my signature.

Hi Darrel :)

I commonly use Aqua Mix Grout Colorant. Have been using it for over 20 years with great success. I just don't think this is the application for it. Now if Bryan wanted to change the color of the grout, I'd say absolutely! :tup2:

[Tile-cleaning]

Click below to see a picture of latex color seal with juice, liquid like water, on top of it. Notice how it doesnt absorb.

Color stain sealer after tile and grout cleaning (http://www.tile-cleaning.com/International/Local/Online/Eletronic/Directory/Phoenix_Tile_and_Grout_Cleaning.html)