Tile & Grout Sealing
Flower Mound | Highland Village | Lewisville | Denton | Carrollton

When you go through procedures for tile installation, you are bound to come across the use of a grout sealer. You feel that after installing the tiles and applying grout, your job is over. However, that is not that case. You still need to apply a grout sealer to get the job done! In case, you are not sure what it is and why is its use necessary, this article is an eye opener.

What is Grout Sealer?

Grout sealer is a clear chemical that serves the purpose of sealing applied porous tile grout and prevents the penetration of moisture into the applied grout surface. Aqua mix grout sealer is one of the popular products used in households. It effectively functions as a waterproofing agent for the applied grout and ensures that grout stays set in the tile seams. It also protects the applied grout from acid or oil based contaminants. Another important function served by the application of grout sealer is the prevention of staining on tile surface. It ensures that the tile surface is insulated from grout staining.

The applied surface of the tile remains washable due to the sealing properties of the chemical. The ceramic tile grout sealer itself is clear and colorless and stays the same even after drying. In short, it is a protecting layer against moisture for applied grout and cement surface. After application, grout sealer layer generally dries within an hour of application.

It also effectively prevents the growth of mildew and mold on the tiles due to its moisture resistant nature. Without the application of grout sealer, the porous nature of grout would easily allow intake of moisture rendering it ineffective. So in summary, a grout sealer is applied at the end of any tiling project to repel repel bacteria, moisture and easily wash away stains. It makes grout cleaning unnecessary, as it does not let it smear.

Types of Grout Sealers

There are two main types of grout sealer. They are membrane forming grout sealers and penetrating grout sealers. Membrane forming sealers do not get soaked into the applied grout but harden on its surface itself, forming a barrier against moisture and providing a glossy look. Their peculiar naming arises from the fact that they form a glossy and thin membrane over applied surface. They are also used as a pigment agents in grout dyes.

Porous grout sealers get absorbed into the applied grout and fill all the pores of the grout with deposits of silicone or latex. They do not change the color of grout, like membrane forming grout sealers. They prevent the penetration of liquids, grease and other contaminating agents into the applied grout.