Browse Forums Kitchen Corner 1 Apr 04, 2008 11:15 am Hi all,
I recall reading about floor tile sealing in another thread & have a question regarding this. Did I understand correctly that floor grouting has to be sealed ? Is this to prevent staining by dirt, etc.. ? The floor grouting in the house we are currently renting has gone almost black. I wash the tiled floors every week. They're off white, so regular washing is essential. If the grout is now dirty, does that mean it was not sealed or have I totally misunderstood the previous thread? radds Re: Sealing Floor Tiles 2Apr 04, 2008 12:38 pm You don't have to seal it, but it is a good idea to keep it clean. It's porous and most anything will stain it if not sealed.
Greg Re: Sealing Floor Tiles 3Apr 04, 2008 12:57 pm Radds, I strongly suggest you have the tiles & GROUT (no 'ing') professionally cleaned. You can't come anywhere close to the results that can be achieved by professionals! Which suburb are you in Sydney? I can direct you to the best contractor if you like, that can clean, and seal if you want it done, (although if you're renting you may not want to pay for sealing).
Briefly, grout is porous and absorbs soil & stains. A quality sealer is a very good idea, but the grout MUST be cleaned very well firstly. Your grout is black because of accumulated soiling. Had it been sealed, it would be less likely to get that way, but it often depends on the way it is maintained. Overwetting and chemical accumulation are common things that lead to heavy soiling. Ash. Re: Sealing Floor Tiles 4Apr 04, 2008 2:02 pm So Ash are you saying that when we get our tiles laid in our new house, we will need to get someone(who?) to seal them ?
OR does the tiler do this ? OR does the builder organise this? I've never heard of sealing tiles until I hit this forum. Re: Sealing Floor Tiles 5Apr 04, 2008 4:28 pm radds So Ash are you saying that when we get our tiles laid in our new house, we will need to get someone(who?) to seal them ? OR does the tiler do this ? OR does the builder organise this? I've never heard of sealing tiles until I hit this forum. radds It would be a good idea to have the grout sealed in your new home. Unless the tiles are polished porcelains, or porous tiles such as terracotta, the actual tiles should not need sealing, as the glazed ceramic surface normally doesn't require sealing. Some tilers may offer to apply a sealer, but usually not, as the grout needs to cure before it is applied in most cases. I can suggest a sealing service if you say which suburb you're in. Ash. Re: Sealing Floor Tiles 8Apr 05, 2008 7:33 pm Radds,
I've only ever done it myself. You can buy the grout sealer from your hardware store. If you do decide to seal it yourself, just remember that it is VERY IMPORTANT to clean off the very last bit of the sealer from tile surface before it dries. This is the hardest bit of the job. The first step (ie putting the sealer on) is very very easy. For grout that has mould on it already, I would imagine that you have to treat/paint/regrout/etc it first, before you seal it. Chris Re: Sealing Floor Tiles 10Apr 06, 2008 3:18 pm Oils ain't oils, sealers ain't sealers, ...
I use Crommelin ..." you know what I mean" Crommelin sealing products haven't let me down yet, so will keep on using them if I'm planning a DIY. Chris[/quote] Re: Sealing Floor Tiles 12Sep 24, 2008 1:59 pm Our tilers will be supplying us with a few litres of AQUAMIX. Have heard this is great stuff. Apparently, we will need to seal the grout ourselves - floors & walls That's a lot of grout !
Ash - if you're still popping in now & then - who were you going to recommend to do the sealing in our area - Como ? You never got around to that recommendation. Built the Eden Brae Cambridge 34 Family with Boston Corner Facade Re: Sealing Floor Tiles 13Sep 24, 2008 3:45 pm Southies we sealed our own grout at our duplex and I found the easiest way as it is back breaking after a while was a paint brush about the size of the grout gap. That way not as much goes on the tiles which you have to make sure you get off.
If you don't get it off in certain sunlight you see a nice line around your tile. Almost like you have spilt something sticky on your tile. The spills do not come off after you have to get them when they are wet. Re: Sealing Floor Tiles 14Sep 24, 2008 4:01 pm but gweluphome, I'd really like to find someone who can do it for me. When I think of the total sq mtrs, I can visualise myself not being able to get up off the floor !
Not to mention having to do the wet area wall tiles, as well Built the Eden Brae Cambridge 34 Family with Boston Corner Facade Re: Sealing Floor Tiles 15Sep 24, 2008 4:06 pm Look in the phone book Southies.
Most tilers should do it for you. Internal and External Building and Colour Consultant Online - Worldwide http://www.denovoconcepts.com Re: Sealing Floor Tiles 16Sep 24, 2008 4:08 pm Aquamix should be able to provide you with some numbers of professional grout sealers maybe give them a call and see if they can head you in the right direction. By the way, I never did our walls....I was more concerned about foot traffic.
I hope you find someone, I will not do my own again. Re: Sealing Floor Tiles 17Sep 24, 2008 4:20 pm Have spoken to a couple of tilers already & they don't use AQUAFIX, which is supposed to be the best on the market. Heaven knows what they use instead
Guess I'll have to do some more ringing around , Michelle Building is certainly time consuming......my DH has no idea Built the Eden Brae Cambridge 34 Family with Boston Corner Facade Re: Sealing Floor Tiles 18Sep 24, 2008 4:27 pm You need to ask the tilers WHY don’t they use the AQUAFIX…..if their not using it, there must be a reason. Internal and External Building and Colour Consultant Online - Worldwide http://www.denovoconcepts.com Re: Sealing Floor Tiles 19Sep 24, 2008 4:42 pm Very good points gweluphome & Michelle
Will ring Aquafix first ( should have thought of that ) & if then no luck with them, will again talk to tradies & ask them that very question Michelle Thanks for the benefit of your perspectives Built the Eden Brae Cambridge 34 Family with Boston Corner Facade Re: Sealing Floor Tiles 20Sep 24, 2008 5:14 pm Hey Southies….Just thinking, the best way to get info is to go to a tile supplier.
They will be able to give any info you need on product and tilers to do the job. My tile supplier is great, he knows so much, find one near you and go and talk to them. Internal and External Building and Colour Consultant Online - Worldwide http://www.denovoconcepts.com Hi, planning on using the attached stone pieces in my bathroom. I want to remove stains and gloss seal. Can I get some advice on best way to remove stains and best… 0 6709 DIY, Home Maintenance & Repair Hi everyone Question about Brevis gas heating undergound - was recently installed by previous owners (<1 year old) but live in a relatively large house - 4 bdr - and only… 0 1764 They make the room much easier to clean for one, reflect more light (if light colour tiles are used), and you dont end up with dust on the top edge of tiles (cause most… 3 9602 |