Can I use this to seal my grout?

epiphany · Apr 17, 2007 10:22 pm

We have some pebble splashbacks & features in our house & the tile company have given me some slate sealer to seal them before we use the showers, etc.

Can I use this to seal the tile grout throughout the house as well?

Or am I better to get a specific grout sealant?

Michelle · Apr 17, 2007 10:42 pm

I think you’ll find this sealer is for a porus stone.
It’s to protect the stone work.

You may need another sealer for the grout throughout your home.
I would check with the tile company, they will give you the name of a sealant for grout.

epiphany · Apr 17, 2007 10:55 pm

Do you think it will cause problems with the grout in my pebble tiles?

There's a lot of grout there...

Michelle · Apr 17, 2007 11:04 pm

No!!! It will be fine!

But it could be a different story putting this sealer on a tile. Especially a gloss tile.

royalblue · Apr 18, 2007 1:30 am

Hi Epiphany,

I'd suggest that you decide what is the best sealer for your surfaces BEFORE embarking on any applications, and make sure you have all relevent info about proper procedures and SAFETY before you do it. It may be wise to have a professional contractor do it rather than DIY. Don't use any solvent based products unless you have a volatile chemical respirator and follow all safety precautions.

Sealers may be solvent or water based, and either penetrating (impregnating) type or topical type. Can you identify what type the slate sealer you were given is? It is REALLY IMPORTANT to do your homework FIRST.

To help you decide, you need to decide whether you want a 'natural look' or a topical finish, whether low-sheen or gloss. Penetrating sealers will seal below the surface and make little or no change to the appearance. Coating type sealers are just that, a coating that works at surface level and forms a visible finish.

Any info about the surfaces you are talking about and what they are to be exposed to will help to determine the suitable type of sealer. Also, what sort of grout is it?

Cheers!

Ash.

epiphany · Apr 18, 2007 10:38 pm

royalblue

Can you identify what type the slate sealer you were given is?

Any info about the surfaces you are talking about and what they are to be exposed to will help to determine the suitable type of sealer. Also, what sort of grout is it?.

The sealer is an acrylic sealant designed to provide a gloss finish to slate...so I assume it's one that sits on top, rather than absorbing into the porous stone? It doesn't have a brand name on it...just "Slate Sealer."

The pebbles are in the master ensuite (as a shower feature & a splashback) & the powder room splashback.

The rest of my tiles are glazed ceramic tiles & are in the laundry (floor & wall), bathrooms (incl showers & splashbacks), toilet floors & through the hallway. So the grout will be exposed to water/moisture in wet areas & general foot traffic.

I have absolutely no idea what sort of grout it is. Just whatever it is they use with ceramic tiles.

royalblue · Apr 18, 2007 11:35 pm

OK I think I've got the picture. I'm a little concerned about the practice of a company giving you a tin of unbranded sealer and suggesting you apply it youself. In fact it is illegal! There are OH&S laws to do with proper labelling of products, so that the end user understands how to use it appropriately and safely, and has proper instructions for use.

The product may well be fine, but you should get more info from the supplier before even thinking about using it.

To get back to your original question, I'd guess that it may be OK to use on your pebbled areas, but is probably not suitable to use as a general grout sealer. Penetrating sealers are better for use on grout joints. I'd suggest a good water-based penetrating sealer for your grout joints between the ceramic tiles.

There are many misconceptions about sealers and their function. Here is a link that explains....

http://www.aquamix.com.au/pdf/newslette ... y%2006.pdf

Note that BEHIND the tiles and materials in the WET AREAS, there should have been a waterproof membrane applied to the surfaces. This is designed to STOP water from entering the masonry behind the wet areas and has a different function to sealers. Sealers are designed to allow water vapour transmission, and are not waterproof.

Hope I'm not getting you too bamboozled. My suggestion is to make sure you understand what any product is designed to do before using it.

Ash.

epiphany · Apr 19, 2007 12:24 am

Thanks for that.

The tin has detailed instructions on it on how to apply it. It just doesn't appear to have any brand name on it.

I'll look for something specifically to seal my grout.

And yes, the wet areas (shwoer, etc), have the membrane you mentioned behind them. I went into the house when they started tiling & they had that all up.

royalblue · Apr 19, 2007 8:16 am

This is the simplest way to DIY grout seal...

http://www.aquamix.com.au/products/same ... sealer.php

Follow instructions carefully. There are charts provided so you can work out how many cans will be required.

Ash.