Sealing Ceramic Tile And Grout In Shower

Use latex based products to seal both grout and tile.

Sealing ceramic tile and grout in shower. A solvent based sealer consists of molecules smaller than the molecules of water. Wet grout is a perfect place for dangerous mould and mildew to breed. Nonpenetrating grout sealers form a film or barrier on the surface which helps repel water and stains. Sealing the grout in your shower is a relatively simple process that will prevent moisture from seeping between and under your tiles.

If the tile soaks up the sealant seal the entire shower. Your grout should be clean and dry and make sure the grout lines are cracked or chipped. If they are then touch up the grout and then wait an additional 48 to 72 hours before you start sealing the grout. Once you have determined if the tile grout needs to be sealed you can then choose what type of tile sealant you d like to place on it.

Next rinse the area thoroughly and use a cloth to wipe the surfaces clean. As tile grout is usually made up of a mixture of sand cement and water it is naturally porous and absorbent. Wet shower grout is a perfect place for mold to live and bread so sealing the grout is the best way to keep mold and mildew from growing in the grout. Warm damp conditions which are often found in showers lead to mold and mildew growth.

Shower tiles should be sealed every one to two years depending on how often the shower is used. Do you seal the tiles too. Some tiles are too thick to absorb the sealant so check a small area first. After you ve installed new tile you want to wait at least 48 to 72 hours for the grout to dry and cure.

Sealing the grout will help keep water from being absorbed by the grout. Since most people would prefer tiles in their shower a grout sealer for the shower should be solvent based. The wet grout in showers is a perfect place for dangerous toxic mold to live and breed. If it doesn t only seal the grout.

This helps keep the water from penetrating the sealer and damaging the base of the tiles. This might include any grout along shelves corners and floor tiles or the grout and tile that surrounds the shower drain. Only use a tile sealer that is rated for it and grout and then decide if you want a sealer that has a sheen to it.