how long should grout dry

[johnc]

on shower surround walls before:
using the shower?
before sealing the grout?

[muskymike]

Hi John, usually 72 hrs.

[scuttlebuttrp]

For the sealer though; follow their directions. Some need 10 days.

[johnc]

thanks, i guess two more days to have a shower wont kill me after 2 weeks!

actually Mapea says the Keracolor (sanded) grout doesn't need to be sealed, but can be...i'll take that as i should seal it.

[Mike2]

Regardless of what Mapei claims, seal it John. And don't go cheap with the sealer. Use a high quality product like those made by StoneTech, Aqua Mix, and Miracle Sealants.

[GeorgeT]

And use a lot of sealer! saturate the grout well... several times inside a half hour or so... wipe it off well so nothing dries on the surface...
And the best part - give it 36 hours or more to cure before you use the shower after sealing it.... just a little longer John...

[johnc]

thanks for the advice, i will surely seal...but answer me this: does it have to be sealed prior to any showering? i find nowhere a timeframe before sealing, so if it is, say 10 days as someone earlier mentioned...well, that puts my first shower in April practically!

or shall i just wait 3 days then seal, then another 3 days and take a shower after Easter?

[Tool Guy - Kg]

No, it doesn't have to be sealed before showering...but why let it start getting dirty? If you intend on sealing, seal it now while it couldn't be cleaner.

A majority of the high-end sealers want 72 hours for the grout to cure before sealing. It's a fairly common denominator. If you have a specific sealer that doesn't list this detail, let us know and we'll help you find it.

And if you wanna shower before waiting another 36+ hours as George suggests, hang some plastic (a 6' x 10' piece will do) around the walls and let it drape into the tub....the walls will stay dry.

[johnc]

thanks TG, i have considered the plastic job, but then i am getting used to old-fashined baths!

i don't have a sealer purchased, i will look for any of the above mentioned. i was talking more about the lack of any detail Mapei gives on their packaging...all pictures, #1-10 and your done! great.

are there sealers that are easier/harder to deal with? is there ever any risk to the tile itself? i have 3x6 gloss white in a the traditional brick patter.

thanks again.

[Mike2]

Re-read post #5, John. Buy one of those products and you won't have any problems. Water based sealants (and all three of those manufacturers have them) are somewhat easier to use and don't stink as much as their solvent based cousins.

We do sell sealers through the TYW on-line store here. I'd recommend StoneTech Heavy Duty for your application.



P.S. You can read more about Heavy Duty here with more details on wait and cure times. http://www.stonetechpro.com/products/protect/hds/

[GeorgeT]

John -
As you no doubt know understand now, every step of this trade has it's tricks that make the process a little easier and sealing is no exception. Applying sealer is similar no matter whose sealer your using. The worst thing that could happen is you let some sealer dry on the surface (overapplication or just didn't see it) and you have to clean it off later... not too big of a deal.
Saturate well, every 10 minutes or so go back and wipe down what you just did and go over the installation twice... should do the trick.
And if you do take a shower before sealing, with a water based sealer you don't have to wait quite as long for the shower to dry out again....

[johnc]

I'd recommend StoneTech Heavy Duty for your application.

We are talking about the grout, correct? You would use a the stone sealer? And i guess my question is on application -and i hate to be asking stupid questions that are probably answered with directions on any of these products- but with this stonetech, for example, would i apply to the entire surface, tile and all and then wipe off as George directs? Or do i have to "paint in" all the lines?

thanks again. back to the new floor, i'll check in later.

[GeorgeT]

John -

There are alot of ways to seal grout lines. Everybody who does it has their own tricks. The key is getting enough in the grout line. Some people use a brush, others have devices that run the grout line.
Did we ever find out what kind of tile you've put up? If its ceramic/porcelain generally they need no sealer so you just wipe off whatever gets on them. If you put up stone or some absorbant tile then seal everything and wipe it down after 10 minutes or so....

[johnc]

ceramic tile, gloss finish with a band of glass mosiac and ceramic matte finish. i like to not worry about getting on the tile if i can help it.

much appreciated.
jc