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Why it’s important to seal your grout and how to do it yourself

What is the best grout sealer and is it really necessary for tile?

Why it's important to seal your grout and how to do it yourself

The short answer is yes, not only do you NEED grout sealer, but you also should reapply it every year or two.  The good news though is that this is an EASY do-it-yourself job.  I will show you where to buy grout sealer and how to do it.

Please note that this article may contain affiliate links.  You can read my full disclosure at the bottom of the page.

Why you need grout sealer

how to apply grout sealer yourself. How important is it to use grout sealer?Grout is basically a mixture of sand and cement.  As a result, if you don’t seal your grout, it will absorb water, bacteria and stains.  Adding a grout sealer protects your grout so it’s water resistant and will repel moisture and germs.  Sealing the grout helps prolong the look, texture and consistency of your grout and it prevents mildew and mold.  Your grout will look better and last longer.

 

The one exception to the rule is if you have epoxy grout.  Epoxy-based grout (which is more expensive) is made from a different material.  It is often used with glass tile installations (especially for kitchen backsplashes).  SpectraLOCK from Laticrete is probably the most popular brand of epoxy grout.

 

Epoxy Grout Exception

Epoxy grout is a tough, water-resistant material that doesn’t require sealer.  But it’s not right for all types of tiles. It’s used most often with glass and other nonporous tiles and is used most often in areas prone to water such as showers and backsplashes.  Epoxy grout remains flexible, compared to cement-based grout, so it’s less susceptible to chips and cracks.  This also enhances is resistance to water and stains.

 

When do you seal your grout?

best grout sealer for bathrooms and showersAfter you’ve installed new tile, you want to wait at least 48 to 72 hours for the grout to dry and cure.  Your grout should be clean and dry and make sure the grout lines are cracked or chipped.  If they are, then touch up the grout and then wait an additional  48 to 72 hours before you start sealing the grout.

 

Do you seal the tiles, too?

grout sealing for mosaic tilesGenerally, no would not seal the tile, assuming that your tile is glazed ceramic or porcelain.  If you have unglazed tile/clay (e.g. unglazed terra cotta…not very common these days) or natural stone, you would seal these as they are porous.  (But this is a different type of sealer…I hope to write about that soon).

 

sealing grout in the shower

 

 

Be aware that you should NEVER apply grout sealer to the surface of non-glazed tile or natural stone.  If you do, the tile will absorb it and it will never come out (and it may be discolored).

 

If you are unsure what type of tile you have, contact the store that you bought the tile from.

 

Is It Difficult To Apply Grout Sealer?

is it necessary to seal your grout and how do you do itNo, it’s easy to apply grout sealer yourself.  It’s a bit tedious, and takes some time, but even a novice DIYer can easily do this. If my mom can do this, I know you can, too.  When you have larger tiles (e.g. 12″ x 12″), it’s pretty easy; when you have smaller tiles, then you have more grout lines and it will take a bit longer.

 

Choosing the best type of grout sealer – penetrating vs non penetrating

Choose your sealer based on the type of tile you have and its location.  There are 2 types of grout sealers – penetrating and non-penetrating sealer.

  • Penetrating Grout sealers use a water base that allows the formula’s particles to penetrate the grout.  Grout is porous, so it absorbs the sealer and then keeps the moisture out.  Penetrating sealers the the best choice for damp areas such as bathrooms and shower areas.

 

  • Membrane-forming grout sealers create a coating on the grout’s surface that resists water penetration.  These are great for kitchen floors and backsplashes, but they aren’t good for bathrooms because they won’t allow water that’s trapped underneath the tile to evaporate…and this can lead to mildew.  Membrane-forming sealers are good for unglazed tiles such as natural stone.  Be aware that these grout sealers won’t adhere to glazed tiles, such as most ceramics and subway tiles (they will slide off the surface).

 

So, if you are using tile in a bathroom and/or have regular porcelain or ceramic tiles, I’d advise you to use a penetrating grout.

 

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What is the best method to apply grout sealer – paint vs roll vs spray.

what is grout sealer for and why is it important. which is the best grout sealer?There are 3 ways to apply grout sealer – you can paint or roll it on, or you can spray it on.  Painting and rolling is basically the same process, it just depends which type of instrument you prefer.

 

The brush applicator is more difficult for some because sealer doesn’t feed smoothly into the brush and sometimes requires you to go back and reapply in dry areas where sealer failed to apply.

 

Rollers are not perfect, but many feel they are better than brushes. Sealer remains relatively close to the seam line without slopping too far over onto the tile surface.

 

I’m not a big fan of spraying.  It seems like it’s easier, but it’s really not.  You save some time in the application, but you spend way more time on cleaning the tile and you usually have residue that dries on the tile and it takes a while to get this off (and no you, you shouldn’t just let it wear off naturally (as some cans may indicate).  And, because the spraying method is a bit less purposeful, sometimes areas don’t get fully coated.  Plus, sometimes the spray goes where you don’t want it to (e.g. walls, glass) and I’m not crazy about the aerosol and inhaling that.  I’d recommend brush or roller.

 

Buy me a coffeeDid you find my tips helpful? If so, feel free to buy me a coffee and support my blog.

 

What’s the best grout sealer to use and where can you buy it?

Grout sealer:

tile grout sealerI would recommend Dupont Stonetech Professional Grout Sealer and you can buy it on Amazon.  This is made by laticrete, the leader in grout and grout sealers.  It’s heavy duty and the one most pros use.

 

Grout sealer Applicator Choices:

AquaMix Grout Sealer Applicator – High end Brush.  I recommend this over the lower priced brushes as it’s more precise (and less clean up afterwards).  I’m sure if you look around, you can save $3 to $6 but my time is worth more than that.

M-D Products 12 Oz. Seal-A-Wheel – Roller

 

Other materials needed:

 

How to apply grout sealer

how to seal grout -gray bathroom with wainscoting1.  As I mentioned, above, it’s critical that your grout is dry and has cured enough.  Wait at least 48-72 hours after the grout was applied.  (It’s okay if you wait longer…as long as the grout is clean).  It’s ideal to do this within the first 2 to 3 weeks.  Note:  If you’ve been using the shower, you want to wait at least 12 hrs before applying (but 24 hrs is even better especially if there is less circulation in the room).

 

best grout sealer

 

 

2.  Tape off any wood baseboards or cabinets that are in the area.  You want to avoid any unintentional staining or deposits.

 

how to seal grout on tiled kitchen floor3.  Apply the sealer to the grout lines.  You can use a foam paint brush, a small roller or a paint pad.  Start in one corner and systematically cover the grout joints completely.  It’s best to work at a far corner so you can walk your way out of the room.

 

Systematically apply the sealant in a smooth, even coat over each part of the grout, taking care to completely cover every corner of the joint. Since you don’t want to accidentally miss a grout line or joint, it is best to follow a consistent left-to-right pattern to ensure nothing is missed.

 

tile grout sealerYou want to avoid getting the sealer on the tiles, so it’s better to go slowly.  If you do get sealer on the tiles, don’t worry about it; just use a rag to wipe it off quickly.  Most people find it easier to just do a few feet at the same time both to wipe as well as avoid the need to wipe.  You’ll want to remove sealer from the tile before it starts to dry (within five to seven minutes of application) so that you’re not left with a foggy film that’s nearly impossible to remove.

agreeable gray walls and gray area rug

 

4.  Wait 5 to 15 minutes to allow the first coat to soak into the ground.

 

5.  Apply the 2nd coat of sealer.  Note: some brands require more time between coats (or more time before wiping the tiles, so be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions.

 

how do I seal the grout in my tile6.  Wipe off the tiles with a dry cotton cloth.  It’s important to wipe off the excess sealer on the tile.  Use water and cheesecloth pads to scrub off any residue if grout sealant has dried on the tiles.

 

7.  Allow 24 to 48 hours for the sealer to cure.  (Do not use the shower nor cleaning products at this time).  Note curing time may vary a bit based on the grout sealer you choose, so read the bottle and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.  You can usually walk on the area much sooner (usually 2 to 4 hrs later).  Keep pets off the floor, too, especially as their paws may be wet and/or you don’t want them to get this on their paws and lick them.

 

8.  Test the grout sealant.  Flick a few drops of water onto the grout line.  The water should puddle up on top of the grout and then you know it’s been properly sealed.  I would try this in a few areas.

 

How often should you seal your grout?

why do you need to seal grout and how often is it doneIt’s ideal to reseal your grout annually, or at a minimum every other year.  While many sealers claim to last for year, bear in mind that there are many harsh cleaners that can wear sealers down (as well as foot traffic or water in the showers).  Also, remember that sealing you grout is easy to do and inexpensive…and way less expensive vs. regrouting or trying to get rid of mildew (or worse).

 

Also, remember the idea is to seal the dirt out…not seal it in.  Grout sealing is preventative in nature so that you maintain the color and consistency.  Once the grout starts to chip or change color, it’s too late.  I would try to build this into your spring cleaning regimen.

 

While it may be inconvenient to keep a room off-limits for a day or two, remind yourself how convenient it will be the next time you clean your grout. A good sealer means less time scrubbing, so this is one chore that will make your routine bathroom cleaning a breeze.

 

 

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Home Maintance checklist by season

 

Should you seal the grout in your shower?

do you need to seal grout for the shower? Best grout sealer for showersThere is some contradictory and misleading information out there.  Remember grout is porous, so it absorbs water, as well as whatever is in that water (e.g. shampoo, hair dye, cleaning products).  By applying grout sealer, you are pre-empting water and other products from penetrating the grout.

 

So, yes, you want grout sealer in the shower and it’s even more important than other areas because, as I sure you realize, showers tend to get wet and steamy.

 

The only exception to this (as mentioned above) is if you have an epoxy grout which naturally blocks the water from penetrating the grout.

 

How to test if it’s time to reseal the grout?

An easy and straight forward test is to drop a few small drops of water on the grout.  If the water is absorbed into the grout quickly, it’s time to reseal. If the water drops bead up, you are fine.

protenting your bathroom floor image

how to seal grout and best grout sealer to use

Is there a grout that that doesn’t need to be resealed?

Yes, epoxy grout does not need to be resealed.  Epoxy is highly water resistant. It actually seals itself as it dries. Epoxy grout is more expensive, but it lasts much longer.  I’d recommend SpectraLock for Epoxy Grout.

 

Summary of materials needed for sealing your tile grout

 

Final thoughts on sealing your grout

Most people don’t even realize that they should seal their tile grout.  Contractors often neglect to tell their customers (or else some may not even know).  But, now that you do know the importance of sealing (and resealing) your grout, as well as how to do it yourself, give your tiles some love and protection.  They will look much nicer and last much longer.

 

Buy me a coffeeDid you find my tips helpful? If so, feel free to buy me a coffee and support my blog.

 

Related tile and grout articles:

 

Why it’s important to seal your grout, how to do it yourself and the best grout sealer to use

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22 thoughts on “Why it’s important to seal your grout and how to do it yourself”

    1. Rita – Generally, regular grout doesn’t work with vinyl tile. There are some manufacturers (like Armstrong) which make acryllic grout to go with their vinyl tile (i.e. alterna). I don’t know if that would work with other types of vinyl. If the vinyl is flat, I’m kind of doubting it will work. Other manufacturers (e.g. Karndean) make vinyl strips for grout.

      Also, I don’t think that you would need to seal acryllic grout. But, you can check with the manufacturer.

    2. I just put some food grade coconut oil, some food grade beeswax and melted it in the microwave, applied with a bush. After 15 minutes I poured some food grade spearmint oil on it and hit it all with a nylon brush attached to a drill. Not sure if it will work, but after the grouting experience, I am over the nasty chemicals. It took me days to get that stuff off my hands

  1. Great Article! I clean and seal regular as a professional service in Las Vegas, NV I suggest after grout cleaning is completed, the next best thing would have the grout sealed to make products bead and repel rather than potentially permanently discolor.

      1. Doggone it! I hope you’ve written a cleaning article because that’s exactly why I’m here. Lol. Grout just got cleaned and sealed this week and I want to know the best way to keep them this way for as long as possible. Steam cleaners for the floor are Great! Water still beads after two years.

        1. Lynda – You know I still need to do an article on this topic. I just haven’t gotten to it yet. But, I do have an article on steam cleaners and you can find that on the right sidebar on every page (below the vacuum visual).

  2. Rita, Thanks for the great article. I bought this “CustomBuilding Product, call TILELab
    Grout & Tile Sealer. Is this a good product? I also read that you should seal the whole tile as well as the grout. Is this necessary? Thank you.

    1. Paul – I’m not familiar with that product. Regarding whole tile, that depends on type of tile. For regular porcelain/ceramic, no you don’t seal the tile. For natural stone, you usually would…unless it’s already sealed.

  3. Odd question – I’m going to use watered down sanded grout as a sort of a paint on the background/decorations constructed of foam (Styrofoam and/or Great stuff), in a terrarium fro reptiles. Can you recommend which type/brand Sealer would be best for this, if any? Some of the features will need to hold water, so that would definitely be a factor in my choice. I’ve never worked with grout before so I’m not familiar with the properties of the sealers.

    1. Roy – I would actually add the pet store…just to make sure you don’t have any issues or things that could hurt the reptiles as they are in confined environment. Not You could also call the tech departments. Please be aware that grout is sand and not waterproof. I’m not sure how long any of these things will hold up under submerged water either. I think the manufacturers are your best bet.

  4. Crystal Bonner

    I had my shower re-grouted but the sand color grout in some areas are coming off and I see that underneath is a silicone looking material. What is that and why is the sand color grout coming off. We had this done three weeks ago and this happened after a week of using the shower.

    1. Crystal – It sounds like they replaced the grout but didn’t seal it or else didn’t seal it properly. Usually they would come back later to seal it (e.g. 1-2 weeks later), but this may depend on type of grout/sealer they used. I would call your contractor. It sounds like something isn’t right.

  5. Thanks for sharing the info. I was in the local department store and someone who istalls tiles told me not to seal the grout. He said that singe the grout can’t breath after sealing, the grout will crack over time. Ruining the grout.

    1. Razz – In general, the info you got from this tile installer is INCORRECT, and I’m sorry you’ve been misinformed. You do need to wait a week or two. The one exception is if you have epoxy grout. then, you would not seal it. But, I can’t tell you what type you have.

  6. Hi—I just sealed the grout in my bathroom and a fair amount of sealant ended up on my small hexagon porcelain tiles. It’s now been set. How can I remove it? Any options other than chemical stripper?

    1. Allison – Your best bet is to always call the manufacturer and ask them what they recommend. They know the chemical make up of their grout sealers better than anyone else in the market.

  7. I just had my shower professionally retiled. I used a matte finished ceramic tile and they used Laticrete Permacolor Grout for floors and walls. I asked about sealing the grout and received the response that… “the sealant is step deluded in the grout mix.” Does this mean I dont have to apply a sealant for the first year or two? Or is that something that should still be done now? I asked the contractor to clarify this….waiting for response.

    1. Tracy – I haven’t heard that term, but you will get the best info if you go straight to the manufacture, Laticrete. They have many versions of their product, so call their tech center.

  8. You write, “Adding a grout sealer protects your grout so it’s waterproof and will repel moisture and germs.”

    It is NOT waterproof. Resistant, yes, but not proof. There are only 1-2 waterproofing grout sealers in the world and none available in the USA.

    1. Oh you are right, thank you. I can’t believe I wrote that when I’m always so careful with the distinction between the two and I write about this on other topics. I will change in a few minutes. Thank you for pointing that out

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