Browse Forums Flooring & Floor Covering 1 May 14, 2011 10:13 pm Hi All, We almost have our house and have a large area of tiling (100sqm) with some beautiful tiles and want to make sure they stay that way so want to seal the grout. We bough the Aquamix Sealers Choice; Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ But the shop didn't give any advice on how to install. So hence the question? Should we buy a water spray pump like this to apply? Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Or are we better using a small paintbrush (as we have 1.5mm grout)? Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ We only have 1 litre and it is quite expensive so want the most effective least wasteful process? Any insights? Thanks, Project History Deposit - 20/4/2010 Land Settled - 20/8/2010 Council - 30/9/2010 Slab - 17/11/2010 Bricks - 28/01/2011 Roof - 5/02/2011 Gyprock - 4/03/2011 Re: How did you physically seal your grout? 2May 15, 2011 2:56 pm For anyone interested came across this website that another homeone member passed on to me http://www.tilecleaning.org/sealing-grout.htm Project History Deposit - 20/4/2010 Land Settled - 20/8/2010 Council - 30/9/2010 Slab - 17/11/2010 Bricks - 28/01/2011 Roof - 5/02/2011 Gyprock - 4/03/2011 Re: How did you physically seal your grout? 3May 15, 2011 3:30 pm I used the same product on the floor and wall grout of my bathrooms. I used a small paintbrush just like your picture (wiping any excess I got on the tiles, as I went, with a paper towel). Re: How did you physically seal your grout? 4May 15, 2011 10:19 pm Hi Trinity... how long ago did you apply the sealer? And what is the condition of the grout after this time... just want to see how it has stood the test of time practically. Ohh and by the way how much did you actually use? Project History Deposit - 20/4/2010 Land Settled - 20/8/2010 Council - 30/9/2010 Slab - 17/11/2010 Bricks - 28/01/2011 Roof - 5/02/2011 Gyprock - 4/03/2011 Re: How did you physically seal your grout? 5May 16, 2011 3:55 pm These are penertrating sealers they sit just below the surface of the grout or tile we call them natural look sealers, they really do not do anything they are a waist of money and time at the end of the day hence is why Aqua mix have closed down. Sorry to say that but these clear sealers only stop deep staining if you can treat the stain as it happens. This is why grout colour sealing is the rage right now as it sits on top of your grout. To apply a clear sealer like you have just spray to the grout and buff with terry towel do not let the sealer dry out. Remember once it penertrates the grout the job is done you than need to remove any excess sealer residue of the grout and tile. Hope this helps. Craig Re: How did you physically seal your grout? 6May 16, 2011 5:15 pm qonyx Hi Trinity... how long ago did you apply the sealer? And what is the condition of the grout after this time... just want to see how it has stood the test of time practically. Ohh and by the way how much did you actually use? Qonyx, I applied it 6 months ago. The grout now looks exactly the same, as it did then. We've had no major spills of anything on the tiles to truelly test it during this time, but I can see that water still beads on it, so it's working. I used about 250ml of it on the grout This covered my 2 bathrooms (floor, showers walls & floor, bath hub) and laundry (floor, wall above sink/bench). My understanding is that the product buys you a bit of extra time to clean up any spills, before they soak in. Re: How did you physically seal your grout? 7May 18, 2011 8:27 am Grout Perfect These are penertrating sealers they sit just below the surface of the grout or tile we call them natural look sealers, they really do not do anything they are a waist of money and time at the end of the day hence is why Aqua mix have closed down. Sorry to say that but these clear sealers only stop deep staining if you can treat the stain as it happens. This is why grout colour sealing is the rage right now as it sits on top of your grout. Firstly, OMG!! I didn't know AquaMix was gone. That is shocking, as I will now have to call Beaumont & see if I can buy their stock of stone cleaner. I can't believe that the reason is that penetrating sealers do nothing. I have porous bluestone floors which have been fantastic since being sealed (from memory it was the Sealers' Choice Gold product). There is no way that you can clean grease off natural stone like this without the sealer, which is why so many stone traders (such as Bellstone) recommend sealing with a penetrating sealer. We had a heap of trouble with the reactivity of our stone & had to call in an expert recommended through the Tile Association. It was on his recommendation that this sealer was used. Re: How did you physically seal your grout? 8May 18, 2011 9:00 am I remember when completing my tile and stone course in America our teacher who is highly regarded in our industry kept on telling us that clear sealers were invented because people had chosen the wrong tile specially porous natural stone for the floors. I said to him I disagree as not everyone wants man made tiles some people love the look of natural stone. He said thats fine go and buy a non porous man made tile that looks excatly like natural stone. My post about clear sealers not doing much was mainly for grout, I agree that clear sealing porous natural stone helps but they loose there tension eg. water stops beading on top than it has to be re cleaned and re sealed. Due to aqua mix closing down we now use http://spiritsealers.com/ they are priced very well and work the same as the next. Please note if a tile shop wants you to seal your floor than you have no claim if you are having troubles with your tiles. Craig Re: How did you physically seal your grout? 9May 18, 2011 12:14 pm We went and bought our feature tiles yesterday and the sales lady told us we should seal our normal tile - I asked, obviously with no knowledge about this stuff, whether sealing the tiles also seals the grout from staining etc She laughed at my and said "What are you planning on doing, putting sticky tape over the grout" She meant it light hearted but Im still confused - should I seal the grout seperately in addition to the tiles or does the one sealer cover both? Sorry for being naive! Custom European Cabinets - Melbourne Kitchen Specialist PM for business details as website currently being updated! Our Crazy Owner Builder Journey! Re: How did you physically seal your grout? 10May 18, 2011 1:08 pm Only grout and porous natural stone tiles can be sealed. If you have got man made tiles such as ceramic or porcelain than no sealing is needed but the porous grout will need sealing. Craig Re: How did you physically seal your grout? 11May 18, 2011 3:42 pm Grout Perfect Only grout and porous natural stone tiles can be sealed. If you have got man made tiles such as ceramic or porcelain than no sealing is needed but the porous grout will need sealing. Craig Then what do products such as Nanokote and Enduroshield do for grout? They were sold to me to coat both grout and tiles to help keep them clean from soap scum etc, but do they do anything for the grout or only the tiles? I want to make sure I understand what I've bought - perhaps I need to seal the grout and then apply those other products? Kylie Re: How did you physically seal your grout? 12May 18, 2011 4:59 pm kb46 Grout Perfect Only grout and porous natural stone tiles can be sealed. If you have got man made tiles such as ceramic or porcelain than no sealing is needed but the porous grout will need sealing. Craig Then what do products such as Nanokote and Enduroshield do for grout? They were sold to me to coat both grout and tiles to help keep them clean from soap scum etc, but do they do anything for the grout or only the tiles? I want to make sure I understand what I've bought - perhaps I need to seal the grout and then apply those other products? Kylie Hi Kylie Nanokote and enduro shield for glass works well but it does not do much in protection for the grout and tiles they sell it as a coating but it really is not for porous surfaces. Re: How did you physically seal your grout? 13May 18, 2011 8:55 pm Grout Perfect Only grout and porous natural stone tiles can be sealed. If you have got man made tiles such as ceramic or porcelain than no sealing is needed but the porous grout will need sealing. Craig Thanks Craig. We have porcelain in a gloss finish, so now her comment just seems odd I cant find my paperwork but it was because she read about the coating I think that was on them? Something thats starts with S I think? Im reading your other thread now.. Custom European Cabinets - Melbourne Kitchen Specialist PM for business details as website currently being updated! Our Crazy Owner Builder Journey! Re: How did you physically seal your grout? 14Nov 28, 2012 2:59 pm Penetrating sealers using Nano Technology work very well on glass, grout and tiles and especially natural stone. Contrary to what has been said previously all tiles are very porous and water will cause corrosion to the surface allowing soap and dirt to penetrate deaper into the surface which makes it harder to clean. You can now get Australian made water based penetrating sealers that come with a 15 year performance guarantee if applied by a licensed applicator! As time moves on more and more products like glass and tiles are being supplied pre treated with nano technology sealers. Re: How did you physically seal your grout? 15Mar 08, 2013 3:02 pm xquisite Grout Perfect These are penertrating sealers they sit just below the surface of the grout or tile we call them natural look sealers, they really do not do anything they are a waist of money and time at the end of the day hence is why Aqua mix have closed down. Sorry to say that but these clear sealers only stop deep staining if you can treat the stain as it happens. This is why grout colour sealing is the rage right now as it sits on top of your grout. Firstly, OMG!! I didn't know AquaMix was gone. That is shocking, as I will now have to call Beaumont & see if I can buy their stock of stone cleaner. I can't believe that the reason is that penetrating sealers do nothing. I have porous bluestone floors which have been fantastic since being sealed (from memory it was the Sealers' Choice Gold product). There is no way that you can clean grease off natural stone like this without the sealer, which is why so many stone traders (such as Bellstone) recommend sealing with a penetrating sealer. We had a heap of trouble with the reactivity of our stone & had to call in an expert recommended through the Tile Association. It was on his recommendation that this sealer was used. FYI. Aqua Mix never went out of business! They have been running globally for over 31 years. www.aquamix.com.au It's unfortunate that people create rumours like this. Aqua Mix chose to find a NEW Australian distributor for a number reasons, it would be rude to discuss over the internet. It's being distributed and has been since 2011 by Construction Technologies Australia (CTA). www.ctaust.com.au. Aqua Mix has never been so strong in Australia, growing rapidly. There is some confusion in the similar sounding and looking other Aqua sealer company, that yes is run by the old distributor. The word Aqua is the only thing similar to Aqua Mix, the products are nothing like the industry leading Aqua Mix products. I need to replace the worn mohair seal on my sliding window, but I can't get access to the end to slide the old one out & push the new one in. I could probably rip the old… 0 5175 4 14255 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 12879 |