Tile, Stone & Grout Sealing. Why & How.

It’s very important to have at least your grout, and tile if it’s stone, sealed at least once a year or two.  You have a couple of choices of how to get it done.  You can have a professional carpet and tile cleaning company do it after they clean your floor or you can do it yourself after you properly clean it.  The reason I say properly clean is that once you apply a sealer whatever dirt or grease, etc is on your tile when you seal it is going to stay there a long time.   So it's best to get your grout and tile as thoroughly clean as possible before sealing.  

If you’re happy with they way your tile looks, you’ve been cleaning it with a steam mop and brushing the grout to get most of the dirt out then, sealing  is very simple, really no need to pay a carpet cleaner or tile cleaner to do it.

Here are the steps:

1:  Determine the look you need or want.  Shiny or flat. You can choose a penetrating sealer with no color enhancement that protects without enhancing the color or choose one that will.  It’s usually called color enhancing penetrating sealer.  The degree of gloss it gives your tile will show on the label, you choose.

2: Next choice, Water Base or Solvent Base.  Water base advantages are, much less expensive, easier to apply, doesn’t smell and won’t destroy brain cells as you apply it.  It’s pretty much idiot proof.   Disadvantage is that it doesn’t work nearly as well and should be applied much more often than a good solvent base sealer.   Other choice,  Solvent Base.  Advantages are, protects much better, lasts much longer so you won’t have to apply it as often, looks and feels better.  This really should be the choice of any professional tile cleaning and sealing comany.  Disadvantages are that it is much more expensive to buy.  This is mitigated by the fact the you use much less and lasts longer. Finally it destroys brain cells, so for your safety you should be wearing a good quality mask, like painters who spray lacquer use.  In my home I use only Solvent Based Sealers.  I feel it’s worth it.  It’s your choice.

3:  Follow the instrux on the label.  It’s really very simple,  I like to use foam brushes.  The gray ones you find in the paint dept.  They're cheap and work very well.   You apply, wait, then wipe off the excess with a paper towel or cloth towel.   Put something under your knees if your kneeling or you can also apply with a pole so you don’t have to kneel.  Again your choice.  

All these things are easily found at places like Home Depot & Lowes.  It doesn’t hurt to ask them questions, who knows you just  might find someone who knows what they’re talking about.  But REMEMBER, read the label and follow the instrux.  Good sealing to you.

Again we are a carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning & tile cleaning company operating in Carlsbad, Encinitas, Oceanside and all San Diego.  Please feel free to call me anytime with questions.  Vic Sinai  760 753-7373 or see my website http://www.vicscarpetclean.com for more info.