How Wet?

[BantyMom]

Just curious, but just how wet can you get a tile job before it's sealed? In this case, a slate shower wall. I don't mean shooting it with a hose, but when cleaning off the grout dust and such before sealing it, are you only allowed to wipe with a damp sponge? Could you squeeze water from the sponge and let it run down? How wet is too wet?

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[ceramictec]

you can spray it down or wipe it down. as long as its clean and Totally dry before applying the sealer.

[cx]

Welcome, Banty. :)

Lot of that may depend upon what kind of sealer you plan to use. Brand name, make and model?

[BantyMom]

Thanks for moving this to the right place. I confess, I hadn't even noticed this area. *hangs head in shame*

So, depending on the sealer I plan use, I could fill a garden sprayer (not enough pressure there to dig out grout) with clean water and, using pinpoint accuracy, really get every thing off?

As for the sealer, I am still debating whether to use a penetrating enhancer or not, and was planning to use a penetrating sealer.

This is new ground for me. Recommendations? Dire Warnings? I don't know what brand my tile guy uses (Hydromet? grout and Aqua Mix cleanters), but I will try to find out.

Many thanks!

[ceramictec]

you wont blow out the grout with a bug sprayer once it is hard.
your grout needs to cure for 3 days before you can seal with most sealers.

[cx]

Now I'm confused. Imagine everbody's surprise. :)

Are we talking about a new grout installation and how long it must cure before sealing, or an old grout installation that requires cleaning before sealing and how long it must dry?

[ceramictec]

I think Banty is wanting to clean the haze/powder or dust of a new tile job that was grouted prior to a final sealing.

[BantyMom]

Sorry that I wasn't clear.

New installation, grouted 9 days ago now. I'm wanting to get it very clean before it's enhanced and sealed. I've been cleaning it with a sponge, but the slate is so very dirty. The water gets dirty so so so fast, I'm never satisfied that the sponge is clean.

I originally thought I could load the sponge with water and squeeze it out and let it run down the wall (shower), rather than just spreading the dirt around (despite the fact that I am changing the water often), but I was afraid that if I did that, the unsealed tile and grout would get too wet and cause a problem later on.

I really like the idea of being able to go at it with a pump-up garden sprayer, but only if it's ok to get it that wet. It would run down the walls and the floor of the shower would get even more wet than the walls.

Info:
The slate (India Lilac Autumn) was put onto concrete (?) walls and grouted with Hydroment grout.

As for the sealer, I am still debating whether to use a penetrating enhancer or not, and was planning to use a penetrating sealer. I don't know what brand my tile guy uses. Recommendations? Dire Warnings about what kind to stay away from.

So, to recap:
• How wet is too wet?
• Can I spray it down with the pump-up garden sprayer?
• Should I continually soak up the water from the floor of the shower? (Yes, it runs into the drain fine, but it's 2x2 slate mosaic and some water will get left behind on the grout)
• How long does it need to dry out again?
• How will I know if it is dry enough?
• Any enhancer or sealer I should avoid if I get it very wet?

Thank you for helping,

[cx]

Mmmm, Banty? It's a shower. It's gonna get really wet in there sometimes, eh? :)

With just clear water you can wash and scrub in there to your heart's content. If your wash water is getting muddy, I'm a bit concerned about the quality of your slate, but that's a whole different discussion, non?

If it all gets really wet, give it a couple days to dry. Again, depending upon what kind of sealer you elect to use. Some of the water-based sealers don't even care that the surface is still damp; the solvent-based will want it to be very dry.

StoneTech Professional makes both, plus and enhancer.

Several other good brands out there.

Tell the folks here what brand you intend to use and perhaps our real stoners will be able to provide more specific information.

And if all else fails, of course, you might wanna read and follow the manufacturer's instructions. :)

In all cases, test a small, less conspicuous area first, including waiting the full curing/drying time recommended by the manufacturer before committing your whole installation to any product.

My opinion; worth price charged.

[BantyMom]

He tends to use Aqua Mix products. I see that they have many different choices.

Mmmm, Banty? It's a shower. It's gonna get really wet in there sometimes, eh?

lol, I know, that's what I was thinking, but, well, it isn't sealed yet and though it made sense to me (someone with no tiling experience), I hate to commit assumicide, especially with something that really is "set in stone" as it were.

Thanks!!!!!

(goes outside to rinse out the sprayer)