Sealing Grout

J&J Home Imp.

I usually only seal if the customer wants in done and I charge extra. As stated above having to wait 72 hrs is the biggest issue. most HO's want to put there house back together and don't want me coming back in 3 days but some don't care. I don't want to have to send a guy back out to seal a floor either. But I do what I got to do. If the stainmaster and epoxy grouts were easier to wash i would just use them andbe done with it.

numbknees

spammer!

i include one application in the price
won't mention my brand
but it's f-ing expensive

mtplus

Mike,

Would you mind sharing the brand name of the sealer that you use?

Regards,
Robert

Rich Turley

Up sell to epoxy!

Problem with sealing is that it has to be repeated. Most sold and the big box's are cheap and will not last long. Bulletproof from Stonetech will last 3-5 years, but is more expensive. Either way most homeowners don't bother to reseal, then it gets dirty and stained and the appearance of your work suffers.

Epoxy is easy to up sell when the benifits are explained to the HO. They are happy and your work will look better longer. (More referrals.)

Rich

bjg5240

BulletProof® Sealer

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Why Stone Needs to be Sealed
Why Use Specialty Cleaners

Features + Benefits
Advanced penetrating microbond protection
Maximum protection against all stains
Makes cleaning stone easier
Preserves natural look
Water-based low-solids coating
Interior & exterior
Where to Use
Natural stone such as marble, granite, limestone, slate, terrazzo, travertine & sandstone. Best suited for the most porous stone surfaces.

Directions
Always test in a small inconspicuous area with a 24-hour cure time to determine ease of application and desired results. Allow new grout installations to cure for a minimum of 72 hours prior to application. Make sure surface is clean, dry and free of waxes and coatings. Surface temperature should be between 50°F and 80°F. Ensure that the area is well-ventilated during application and until the surface is dry to the touch. Keep children and pets out of the area until foot traffic resumes.

Mask off and protect any baseboards or adjacent areas to avoid splashing sealer onto surfaces not intended to be treated.
Sealer may be applied to damp surfaces one hour after standing water has been removed.
Liberally apply an even coat using a paint pad, roller or brush.
Allow sealer to penetrate the surface for 15-30 minutes. During this time, distribute excess over entire area to ensure even penetration. Remove excess sealer by wiping entire surface thoroughly with clean, dry towels.
A second coat may be needed for porous, absorbent surfaces and should be applied 30-40 minutes after initial application as directed in steps 3-4.
A minimum of 15 minutes after final application, wipe entire surface with clean dry towels to remove any excess sealer. If needed to remove residue, reapply a thin coat of sealer, allow to dwell for 2-3 minutes, agitate with a white nylon pad and dry thoroughly with clean, dry towels.
A full cure is achieved after 24-72 hours; foot traffic may begin in 6-8 hours. If foot traffic must resume sooner, cover the floor with red rosin paper to protect it until full cure has been achieved. Red rosin paper is not needed to apply second coat.
Clean equipment with water.

__________________
Quality Isn't Expensive, It's Priceless

JackiTrades

Hey everyone,

I believe grout sealing is a good thing, and use to add on the time and trip to it.

Please do not use STand N Seal. I did, and I am still ill after a year. In fact, since the spray grout sealants are new, let's just say.....seal it with a product that is very well known, even if it takes longer. Health is important.
If you have an old can, or know someone who does, get rid of it!!!!

I had used Tile Lab previously and have to say, it great. If you have to bend down on your knees to apply, the pain in your knees will go away. The product has been safe to use and does well.

bjg5240

The best product that I have used so far is 511 impregnator. My next one I'm going to try is the "bullet proof" that was recommmeded. Good luck!

__________________
Quality Isn't Expensive, It's Priceless

Bud Cline

JackiTrades, (and others)

If you have alegedly suffered an illness or ill-effects from the use of the tile sealing product Stand 'n' Seal you may be eligible to participate in one of the Class Action Law Suits that have occurred as a result of the use of this product. Alegedly people have died from its use and many scores-more have been permanently injured.

It would be worth your while to look at this thread and follow the links within this thread to thoroughly investigate the issues that have arisen with the use of Stand 'n' Seal grout sealer.

http://www.thefloorpro.com/community...-problems.html

MattCoops

Who would ever want to use a can of hairspray as a sealer?

Especially one that is dangerous to health.

__________________
Matt with Cupan Custom Tile & Paint of Lowell, Massachusetts
Design and installation of ceramic tile and natural stone for floor, wall, and countertops
(978) 601-8774 | cupantile@gmail.com | view tile pictures and more

andeeznuts

I personally have been tiling for 7 years and have never sealed grout. I will not assume the responsibility of color changes flaking or unmet expectations.your best bet is not to seal they always understand. Leave to there risk not yours.
awtconstruction@aol.com

Graeson

I've ALWAYS gone back at the end of a project to seal the grout/tile/stone/whathaveyou... It's just what I was taught to do... I include it in the estimate/contract and also always bring it's benefits to the client's attention then advise them on resealing in 3-4 years...

RECENTLY I've started using TEC's Accucolor XT grout which has the sealer in it already - it also resists cracking, mold, and mildew - it makes the grouting process a little more tedious, but is definitely worth it because I don't have to come back an extra morning to seal! As a matter of fact I pretty much use all TEC products when it comes to thinset, grout, caulk, sealing, enhancing, etc. (Okay TEC, there's my plug - where's my check?)

Bill_Vincent

Not only is it an option, but in my opinion a very unnecessary option. You do so much better using a little common sense, using a medium to dark colored grout in high traffic areas. here's the thing. Sealer will only delay the inevitable. grout darkens with age. That's a matter of fact. Whether it be from poor housekeeping, or even GOOD housekeeping!! (minerals in the water, dirt from mopping getting pushed into the pores of the grout, etc.) Selaer or no sealer, it will also show traffic patterns if too light a grout is used. For my money, grout sealer is the biggest racket to hit this business since mastic showers.

Jackitrades-- Bud's right. Check the following thread. You'll find all the contact info you need to get involved:

http://johnbridge.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=26036

__________________
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're probably right."

http://www.creativeceramicandmarble.com

Bud Cline

Grout sealers are more of a "profit center" for the sellers than they are a product to protect something and whose need is mandatory. Grout sealers are more or less a marketing phenomenon and not much more. Sure most of them work to some degree but they don't really change what it is that causes the cleaning issues anyway. The texture of the grout is what makes the grouts hard to clean not the fact that the grout wasn't sealed.

What type of grout sealer do you suppose the Romans used? Let's face it, tile grouts in one form or another have been around for thousands of years and nothing ever got sealed. Why now?
Why? Wall Street! That's why, just like everything else.

Grout sealers have taken a giant leap over the past ten years and mostly over the past seven years.
Are they beneficial? To some degree yes.
Do they create an ongoing maintenance need? If you believe in them yes.
Are they outrageously overpriced? You bet your sweet ass they are.
Are they necessary? Nope!

Do I use them? Only when I have to. I seal natural stone before and after grouting and I seal a customers grout when they think they are much to important in life to seal it themselves and for that THEY PAY. My time can be much better spent doing other things.

nwtile guy

I agree with you Bud and Bill. Sealing grout is a little rediculous, but on slate and other natural stone, it all gets sealed but on a 6x6 ceramic or porcelin shower or floor, you can spend way to much time sealing and Bud's right - CHARGE!!

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Chad

Bill_Vincent

I didn't say anything about stone, especially slate. I'm a big one for enhancing sealers for rustic stones to bring out the colors.





As for polished stone, it depends on the stone. Some don't need sealer, and some, it doesn't matter WHAT you do to them it's not going to help.

One way or the other, nothing gets done for free.

__________________
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're probably right."

http://www.creativeceramicandmarble.com