Sealing Shower (Steam Shower)

[kmcconnell]

First let me thank everyone here for the ton of information which I’ve put to use over the last couple of years on tiling projects during the construction of our house!!!!!!

Now to the question. I’m about to finish up a walk in steam shower (got a couple of hours of tiling left and then I’ll start on the grout). I’ll have porcelain tile on the walls and ceiling, 2” ceramic tile on the floor, seat top, and as a 6” wide border half way up the wall and we’ll be using a medium brown sanded grout on everything. Since I’ve put so much time into this and since it will eventually be a steam shower I wanted to use a good sealer. A can get Stonetech from a local dealer was the reason I chose it over Aqua Mix.

Anyway, is the Stonetech heavy duty grout sealer good enough or do I need to get the heavy duty stone sealer?

Thanks for any and all input/suggestions!
Kelvin

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[Jason_Butler]

Stonetech or Aquamix will serve you well. A basic grout sealer should work fine for your "non-stone" install

Jason

[cx]

Welcome, Kelvin. :)

I'll move you over here where more of the sealer gurus hang out.

[GeorgeT]

Hi Kelvin -
Sealing steam showers is something I take calls on occasionally and its often with a concerned customer on the other end.
The concern is usually that when the steam is on the grout and/or stone gets darker like it got wet. The concern is that the sealer application wasn't good. However, when I ask them about regular shower with no steam the shower seems to repel water.
Sealers are designed to repel liquids. They are also vapor permeable, designed to breath so the stone and mortars behind can dry out if needed. Steam is a vapor. It will not be repelled completely by the sealer and your grout may still wet out with a good steamin'....
If you plan on steaming a lot you may want to consider our "Heavy Duty Exterior Sealer" which is a silicone water repellent.... will stand up to the steam better... if you will only use steam once in a while, the Heavy Duty Grout Sealer will be just fine.....

[kmcconnell]

George,
What do you consider “a lot” of use when it comes to a steam shower? I figured it would probably get used once maybe twice a week after she (the wife) gets used to it, but there is the possibility of it being used 3 or 4 times a week on occasion. Would the exterior sealer stand up better to everyday shower use and is it any harder to put down?

When you say exterior sealer, are you meaning the exterior stone and masonry sealer? Also if I use the exterior sealer, would that mean any water that did get behind the tile/grout would not be able to evaporate?

[GeorgeT]

Hi Kelvin -

What this boils down to is if the steam is used a lot the grout will get wet even though it is sealed. Steam is a vapor, sealers are vapor transmissible etc. It may happen any time the steam is used. Bottom line is give the shower the ability to dry out and you shouldn't have any moisture issues.
The Heavy Duty Exterior Sealer I suggested ( same sealer as "exterior stone and masonry sealer".... different labels and paperwork over the last couple years) is also a breathable penetrating sealer. Still simple to use, however it is a solvent sealer so good ventilation, gloves and mask if you use it. Old style silicone technology, might be more durable in a high use steam shower.

[az]

Hey George, why not bullet proof on this one? I've actually done a "double" coat of water based, followed by solvent based. The solvent drives the water deeper into the grout, and, stays on top of the water based. Sounds contrary to accepted practices, but works just the same.

[doitright]

Hi Kerry :)

I was thinking along the same lines as far as using a solvent based sealer. I'm not a big fan of the water based products (though they do have their place). Solvent based can always be applied over water based, just not the other way around.

[GeorgeT]

Hi Kelvin -
Both John and az have great answers to what you've got going. There are a lot of different ways to achieve a quality, long lasting seal and they have described a couple more.
This is where people get confused most of the time.... Is one of these methods better than the other? the correct answer is no. All these methods will work....

[kmcconnell]

I bought StoneTech Grout Sealer and the Exterior Stone and Masonry sealer. My plan was to first put a coat of the grout sealer on and then follow-up, within 30-60 minutes, with the exterior sealer. I had posted earlier and GeorgeT had recommended those two sealers (link (http://www.johnbridge.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=57683)). Is this plan okay?

Second question. When sealing the walls and the ceiling how are you able to “liberally apply” a coat of sealant. It seems that anything more than wetting the surface(grout) will just run or drip off? Since you can’t have “puddles” on the walls and ceiling, do you still need to wipe the area since there shouldn’t be any excess? What is the best tool to apply to walls and ceiling? I was thinking about a sponge brush or a cheap bristle brush.

Sorry for all the questions, I guess I’m just getting a little excited about getting this project done! :yipee:

[Davestone]

I like to use those HD grout sponges, i cut them in half and dip the square cornr in the sealer just enough to wet it without dripping then dab it on the joints.I would go with whatever George said.

[GeorgeT]

Kelvin -
Just apply several light coats in that 10-20 minute time frame...that would count as one good application. working overhead is difficult but take your and try not to stand right underneath your applicator....I used to use the thin nap rollers on an extension so I could stand off to the side...

My original post was to choose one sealer or the other depending on the amount of use the steam shower got. There is no problem using two sealers if you use them in the correct order and with the proper time in between.
If you want to use both of these sealers we need to adjust the method you described... Grout Sealer is water based. that needs to cure before an application of Exterior Sealer. Exterior is solvent based and can not be used one hour after a water based. Wait at least 24 hours between those products and use the Grout Sealer first...