Why you NEED Tile and Grout Sealing for Your Floor

Have your floors lost their shine? Is your tile and grout looking a little dull? Floors have a huge impact on the aesthetics of a room. That’s why you have carefully chosen the perfect tile for your floor. After tile floors have been installed, you will want to maintain the beautiful new look of your floors and protect them from everyday wear and tear. Tile and grout sealing your floors will protect the grout with a water resistant seal that repels moisture and germs. Sealing floor tile grout will prolong the beauty of your tile floor while preventing mildew and mold. You need tile and grout sealing to protect the investment you have in your floors.

So what is grout sealer what is grout sealer made of? First of all, grout is a porous material that holds your tiles in place on the floor. Grout sealer is used to seal out moisture, dir and germs that are easily attracted to the porous material of grout. There are three main types of grout sealers formulated for the different types of floor tiles to be installed. Depending upon the type of grout used on your floor, the grout sealer will be made of petroleum distillates, methyl silane trio late silicon ate compounds or with fluoropolymer materials that are similar to what is used in non-stick cookware.

Penetrating Grout Sealer 

Penetrating grout sealer is a water based formula that is drawn deep into the porous material of floor tile grout. Penetrating grout sealer is the type of grout sealer to use in a shower or bathroom because it is specifically designed for areas that are frequently moist. You want a penetrating grout sealer to keep heavy moisture out.

Non-Penetrating/Membrane-Forming Grout Sealer

The other hand, penetrating grout sealers are not the best for kitchen applications. The best grout sealer for a kitchen backsplash or floor is a Non-Penetrating or membrane-forming grout sealer. Membrane-forming grout sealers will coat the surface of the grout without being absorbed into the porous grout material. Membrane-forming grout sealers are designed to allow any moisture that makes its way underneath the tile to evaporate. 

There is a lot to know about tile grout sealers and which type is best to use when, so it’s best to consult with a flooring specialist before applying. For instance, membrane-forming grout sealers work well for grouting unglazed tiles but are not a good choice for glazed tiles. While membrane-forming grout sealers are best for the kitchen counter, they do not adhere well to glazed tiles.

Why is Grout Sealer a Must?

Water, bacteria and stains easily sink into the porous nature of cement and sand that floor tile grout is mostly composed of. Grout works wonders for keeping the tile in place, but grout sealer is a must to make it water resistant to protect it from moisture and germs. The purpose of grout sealer is to maintain the clean appearance of your floors while also stopping mildew and mold growth. Using grout sealer keeps the tile floor cleaner longer while also maintaining its original strength and durability. 

We’ve already discussed the importance of using a tile grout sealer on your tile floors. “So what will happen if I don’t seal my grout” you may ask? Well, you can learn from the school of hard knocks yourself, or you can learn from the mistakes of others. Not using tile grout sealer will make you cry when your floor deteriorates prematurely with grout that is stained, cracked, and chipped.

Seal your tile grout soon after your new tile floor has been installed; and at least once a year thereafter to maintain the protection they need to stay beautiful. If you add tile grout sealing to your spring cleaning list, it may be harder to overlook this important task. There is an easy test you can do to see if your grout needs to be resealed. Simply drop a few drops of water on the grout to see if it beads up the way it should. You don’t want to see the water sinking into the grout, as it is a sure sign you need tile grout sealer applied.

Allow your newly installed tile floor to completely dry and cure before applying tile grout sealer. After 72 hours, the new grout should be dried and cured enough to begin the sealing process.

For older floors, make sure the grout is clean and free of chips and cracks before applying tile grout sealer. Clean and touch up chipped grout and allow the grout to dry and cure for 72 hours as you would with new floors.

Ceramic and porcelain floor are mostly used in today’s new floor installations and do not require sealants. Unglazed and natural stone tiles are porous and will benefit from sealers that are specifically designed for them. Consult with a flooring specialist for the best type of sealer for your particular type of floor tile. Using the wrong type of sealer on your tile will not produce good results. There are tile sealing products available that work well on a wide variety of tile types, however.

That being said, there are plenty of benefits to sealing your tiles that are unglazed or made from natural stone. Your floors will look nicer longer and will require less maintenance – for sure!

Enjoy your beautiful floors longer with way less maintenance when your floor tiles are properly sealed. Sealed floor tiles will resist stains and are easily cleaned with gentle cleaners.

Floor sealers will prevent spots and stains from penetrating the surface of the tile. Absolutely, tile and grout sealer will prevent stains but may not completely.

Tile and grout sealer prevents mold from taking a hold of your tile floor, shower, or backsplash. The sealer forms a shield that guards against moisture so mold does not have the environment in which to grow.

Tile and grout a shield against accidental chemical spills. No worries if your daughter fingernail polish remover. Your tile has been protected with a sealer, so all you have to worry about is wiping up the mess.

Unsealed tiles are susceptible to deterioration and premature wear and tear. While digging out and replacing old grout, through sweat and tears, you will be saying “So this is what happens when I don’t seal my tiles!” Using tile and grout sealer makes the installation process faster and easier for certain tiles and stones. Afterwards, tile and grout sealer absolutely makes cleaning and maintenance MUCH easier. Wouldn’t you rather say” I’m glad I followed advice” vs “ask me how I know”?

The love affair between mold and unsealed grout is quite passionate, and they’re rather hard to separate once they’re joined at the hip. Learning from the professionals and the mistakes of others will save time and money for both clients and floor cleaning services alike. The professionals at Hemingway’s Floor Cleaning Service are diligent to stay current with the latest technologies for tile and grout cleaning and sealing. Our cutting-edge technology is specifically designed for producing the best results that will set customer satisfaction in stone. 

When looking for the best tile and grout cleaning near me in Myrtle Beach, SC contact Hemingway’s Floor Cleaning Service to keep your tile floors looking absolutely beautiful for years to come. 

Call 843-907-1558 Today!