Browse Forums Flooring & Floor Covering 1 Oct 11, 2007 11:49 am As above.
I'm finding that our light grey grout on the floor tiles is rather prone to getting dirty really easily. And it annoys me. But I'm not sure if this is the norm. Are grout to flooring normally sealed? Should my builder have done it or is it something you do yourselves down the track? We have a little puppy in the house and as he is still being toilet trained he has the occassional 'accident'. I find his 'accidents' to be rather deadly as it stains the grout quite visibly makign it darker in colour. And then my no-common-sense sister was cooking in our kitchen the other day and somehow got oil spatters on the floor. Now, we have oil spots in certain areas on the floor and it's really annoying! So basically, should I seal my grout? Or is there a good and effective way to clean grout other than those deadly smelling grout cleaners? [sneakersss] Re: Is a grout sealer required? 2Oct 11, 2007 11:53 am Missy,
tut tut ... no search button for you?? try these: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.p ... ght=sealer https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.p ... ght=sealer A good issue to raise again though ... something simple to make life easier for everyone. Matt I have reverted to username - mattwalker Carlisle Homes - Grande 43 My building experience is here: http://www.ourgrandeplan.blogspot.com Re: Is a grout sealer required? 3Oct 11, 2007 11:59 am Audio Visual Dreams Missy, tut tut ... no search button for you?? try these: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.p ... ght=sealer https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.p ... ght=sealer A good issue to raise again though ... something simple to make life easier for everyone. Matt LOL Thanks, Matt! I did do a search but that second link didn't show. Or maybe I didn't scroll down far enough? Haha Stuff light coloured grout. I should've gone with a black! [sneakersss] floor grouting 4Oct 11, 2007 7:49 pm yssim i n my old house i had ceramic floor tiles. from day one the grout was a nightmare to clean,it was already dirty from the cleaner who cleaned the house . : and i dont think the tiler sealed it .i got a grout sealer had to get on my knees with a little brush and seal the grout (after i scrubbed it of cause.) that really didnt do any good so i gave up on it. tryed a long handle bristle brush worked ok but the grout still got dirty. i got cheap as chips out to clean the grout paid i think $300 . the grout cleaned up ok but not perfect. they also can seal it for you,, but it would cost you heaps as they have to do it by hand i think... i reckon to save your sanity get it sealed.. nothing worse looking at dirty grouting.sooo now in my next house im just having tiles in the wet areas and the rest floating laminate. floor grouting 5Oct 11, 2007 7:50 pm yssim i n my old house i had ceramic floor tiles. from day one the grout was a nightmare to clean,it was already dirty from the cleaner who cleaned the house . : and i dont think the tiler sealed it .i got a grout sealer had to get on my knees with a little brush and seal the grout (after i scrubbed it of cause.) that really didnt do any good so i gave up on it. tryed a long handle bristle brush worked ok but the grout still got dirty. i got cheap as chips out to clean the grout paid i think $300 . the grout cleaned up ok but not perfect. they also can seal it for you,, but it would cost you heaps as they have to do it by hand i think... i reckon to save your sanity get it sealed.. nothing worse looking at dirty grouting.sooo now in my next house im just having tiles in the wet areas and the rest floating laminate. Re: Is a grout sealer required? 6Oct 11, 2007 9:25 pm Hi all. I'm back! (after a bit of a break from the internet). They don't call it inter NET for nothing!!!
Anyways, the reported frustrations with grout is nothing new. The best solution here is to have the tiles & grout professionally cleaned and then sealed with 'grout colourant' from Aquamix. First link will help you find a true professional in your area. Second link is about the grout colourant. http://www.aquamix.com.au/find-an-applicator.php http://www.aquamix.com.au/products/grout-colourant.php Ash. PS Below is the company I'd recommend in Melbourne; Yellow Brick Road Service Group Phone: 03 9347 0200 Mobile: 0412 537 001 Contact: Evan Petridis Area: Victoria Re: Is a grout sealer required? 7Oct 11, 2007 9:31 pm clath/royalblue, thanks for the replies.
yes, i'm quite frustrated regarding the grout issue. next house i will definitely be going with black grout or polished concrete! [sneakersss] Re: Is a grout sealer required? 8Oct 11, 2007 9:37 pm royalblue Anyways, the reported frustrations with grout is nothing new. The best solution here is to have the tiles & grout professionally cleaned and then sealed with 'grout colourant' from Aquamix. ... PS Below is the company I'd recommend in Melbourne; Yellow Brick Road Service Group Phone: 03 9347 0200 Mobile: 0412 537 001 Contact: Evan Petridis Area: Victoria We've only been in the house less than two months. Would need to clean all the grout in the entire house before I seal it? I quite like the name 'Yellow Brick Road Service Group'. Hehe Have you personally used their services before? If so, are you able to give me a rough indication of how much they cost? [sneakersss] Re: Is a grout sealer required? 9Oct 11, 2007 9:40 pm YSSIM clath/royalblue, thanks for the replies. yes, i'm quite frustrated regarding the grout issue. next house i will definitely be going with black grout or polished concrete! YSSIM It ain't helpful being so DEFINITE about such things until you have adequately researched the pros & cons of any potential choices of floorcoverings. Far too often, folk make 'knee-jerk' responses and choose something OTHER THAN what they have previously had problems with, not realising that they are just walking into another range of possible frustrations. In almost every case, the problems are to do with; A. surfaces chosen that are not suitable for the given environment, &/or B. surfaces are not properly maintained Ash. Re: Is a grout sealer required? 10Oct 11, 2007 9:45 pm YSSIM royalblue Anyways, the reported frustrations We've only been in the house less than two months. Would need to clean all the grout in the entire house before I seal it? I quite like the name 'Yellow Brick Road Service Group'. Hehe Have you personally used their services before? NO If so, are you able to give me a rough indication of how much they cost? But I am well connected with service providers within Australia. Yellow Brick Road have an outstanding reputation for excellence among their peers. That being the case, I'd guess they won't be 'cheap'. But then it should be money well spent. Ash. Re: Is a grout sealer required? 11Oct 11, 2007 9:46 pm royalblue YSSIM It ain't helpful being so DEFINITE about such things until you have adequately researched the pros & cons of any potential choices of floorcoverings. Thanks for the lecture, dad! I know, I know. Research. Research. Research! [sneakersss] Re: Is a grout sealer required? 12Oct 11, 2007 9:51 pm royalblue But I am well connected with service providers within Australia. Yellow Brick Road have an outstanding reputation for excellence among their peers. That being the case, I'd guess they won't be 'cheap'. But then it should be money well spent. Totally off topic - I just noticed you're from Perth. Are you in that industry? I'm assuming so because you seem to be quite knowledgeable on this topic. [sneakersss] Re: Is a grout sealer required? 13Oct 11, 2007 9:55 pm YES,
I'm an accredited carpet cleaning technician, with around 25 years experience, and have been cleaning tiles/grout/stone for about 4 years. I have been trained as an Aquamix applicator at their Sydney training facility. Ash. Re: Is a grout sealer required? 14Oct 11, 2007 9:57 pm Cool!
Thanks for your help, Ash. I'm off to do more research... [sneakersss] Re: Is a grout sealer required? 15Nov 19, 2007 8:31 pm We spent an afternoon sealing our grout with the aquamix same day grout sealer....worth it?? - time will tell! Its very easy to apply, just spray on - wiping the excess up off the tiles was painful! Sore knees afterwards!! Built Porter Davis "Dromana" 2007. Re: Is a grout sealer required? 17Nov 19, 2007 8:39 pm vanderlay We spent an afternoon sealing our grout with the aquamix same day grout sealer....worth it?? - time will tell! Its very easy to apply, just spray on - wiping the excess up off the tiles was painful! Sore knees afterwards!! Cool! Aquamix offer a range of sealers, and each will provide different levels of service. The aerosol spray cans you've used are designed as a basic, simple product that is relatively easy to apply, whether by the tradesman, or the DIYer. It offers a fair degree of protection, and is quite economical. It isn't their BEST product, but is designed to fit into a certain market. Still, its far better than not sealing the grout at all. Ash. Re: Is a grout sealer required? 18Nov 19, 2007 8:58 pm Ash,
What is a good product to buy and where do i get it from here in vic. Is it reasonably easy to apply / clean up and how much is it? Thanks Re: Is a grout sealer required? 19Nov 19, 2007 9:19 pm mattwalker Ash, What is a good product to buy and where do i get it from here in vic. Is it reasonably easy to apply / clean up and how much is it? Thanks Firstly, let me explain my bias.......... There are heaps of companies offering all sorts of products to 'seal' grout and other surfaces. I don't pretend to be an expert on all these. I have a basic understanding of the categories of sealers and their suitable applications, but there's a lot I don't know about the topic. I tend to keep mentioning Aquamix's products because I have been trained by Aquamix as an independent operator at their training facility in Sydney, and have attended other courses they have put on. They have excellent industry knowledge and a reputation for outstanding expertise in their field. They bother to back up their products with training and support, so that their products are used by technicians who know what they are doing, instead of just selling a can, and leaving em to it. Because of these things, I prefer to align myself with them & use their products, as it is far better to have good product knowledge and know that back-up and support is a phone call away. Their products are also FAR SAFER than many alternative products, as Aquamix have pioneered the use of water-based products, as an alternative to many of the toxic solvent based products on the market. Aquamix's web-site offers a lot of helpful info at www.aquamix.com.au There are all sorts of cleaners, sealers, and problem-solvers. Most are designed for professional use, and using their trained independent applicators is recommended. Still, as long as instructions are strictly followed, some of their products can be applied by DIYers. Remember though..... EVERY AQUAMIX LABEL READS "READ THE ENTIRE LABEL BEFORE USE" Ash. Re: Is a grout sealer required? 20Nov 19, 2007 9:32 pm Matt, if interested - the one we used was the "same day grout sealer". You can get it from beaumont tiles, about $40 per can, which does up to 45 sqm of tiles. Just spray on and wipe off any excess from the tiles after about 5 mins. Built Porter Davis "Dromana" 2007. Thanks splashers, that makes sense. The waterproofing guy used this Davco product, I will raise the issue with builder and hopefully get resolved with him - if not… 2 12866 Hi everyone, Have just put a shower in the laundry and after only using it 2-3 times have noticed staining on the grout. The tiles were glued onto a concrete wall after… 0 5445 I know foam has been around since the 90's and CSR started manufacturing Hebel in 1989, so it's definitely possible 5 5404 |