The Spruce / Ashley Luciano
Imagine you’ve just moved into a new home with gorgeous tile floors.
You’ve been told to seal the floor but thought it would just be the grout that needed care.
What’s the proper way to take care of your beautiful tiles?
The Spruce / Ashley Luciano
Grout typically requires sealing but so do some types of tile while others can be left unsealed.
Learn more about sealing tile floors properly and tips on tile floor maintenance.
Should You Seal the Grout or the Tile?
The grout on your tiled floor is sealed because it is naturally porous and stains easily.
As a bonus, sealed grout is mucheasier to keep clean.
Whether or not to seal the tile is a separate issue.
Sealants are usually unnecessary forceramic or porcelaintiles.
There are some exceptions to this, so check with your manufacturer.
Sealants are necessary for natural stone (slate,marble, granite,travertine, etc.).
Natural stone is porous and absorbs spills, making it stain fairly easily.
Tip
Sealing colored tiles can sometimes alter the hue of the tile.
Test the sealant in an inconspicuous area before applying it across the surface to ensure you like the results.
Spread a few drops of water on the floor’s grout and tile.
If the grout or tile darkens or changes color, they are probably not sealed.
If they stay the same color, they may have already been sealed.
Sealing grout is easybut it takes time.
If you seal the stained grout, you will probably never be able to get the stain out again.
Choose betweentwo types of grout sealants.
Apply the sealer with the applicator, or spray the entire floor and wipe the excess off the tile.
Older floors may need the old sealant stripped.
Contact a professional to handle the stripping and resealing of stone tile floors.
Unsealed grout or natural stone tile floors turn dirty, deteriorate, flake, and loosen.
Check the manufacturer’s instructions on drying times.
