I was advised NOT to seal...

[jolio72]

I was advised by a local tile supplier NOT to seal my shower walls. I was told that the cleaners used to clean the shower on a weekly or monthly basis will eat away the sealer anyway and that it's unnecessary on my shower walls (tub/shower).

The nice lady at the store said that she has the exact same ceramic tile I'm using and she also chose white grout. So, when her grout begins to discolor she simply mists the shower with bleach and then rinses and her grout returns to a nice white color.

So, what are the pro's and con's of sealer. Why should I seal or why should I NOT seal? Is it necessary?

Thanks,
Jo

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[ragdoll]

Ceramic/porcelin tile doesn't need to be sealed. Grout needs to be sealed, maybe annually in a shower? Unless you use epoxy grout. Then you don't have to do anything ever.

Amateur opinion.

[doitright]

Hi Jo :)

I second Chad's advice. Instead of using bleach to clean your shower, purchase some tile and stone specific neutral pH cleaner. If you use chemicals that are so strong (or acidic) that damages the sealer, it is also damaging the grout.

If you have mold or mildew in the grout joints thats an entirely different issue.

[espy]

From my experience, using bleach on white grout will eventualy turn it yellow.

Always seal your grout. And never use straight bleach on white grout.