How often does bath tile grout need to be sealed and what is the best way to prep grout for resealing?
by Jeff on Oct.19, 2008, under Bath
:Bath Tile, Hairline Cracks, Tile Grout
4 comments for this entry:
repair-it.info
A Mr. Fixit Site
by Jeff on Oct.19, 2008, under Bath
:Bath Tile, Hairline Cracks, Tile Grout
October 22nd, 2008 on 6:00 pm
sealer……ever year or so will keep areas up.
r>
sealer……ever year or so will keep areas up.
October 25th, 2008 on 5:52 pm
There is a brand of sealers named “AQUA MIX GROUT SEALER ” I believe you can find it at home depot look for the one with the golden seal, that’s a good product and is easy to use. As far as how often, refer to the Sealers’ label it will tell you how often you need to do it.
About how to prep before you seal, use 1 gallon of water mixed wit half a cup of white vinegar it will help you clean the grout, let it dry before you apply the sealer (I recommend you may want to test a small portion before you clean the whole thing, just to make sure you don’t run into any surprises)
If your hair ***** lines are at the corners of the tub, don’t worry about that, up to a point that is normal. Use a silicone caulk to protect the corners. If you apply it nice it looks great, but if you don’t, you will make a mess, and it will look horrible, if you are not experienced with a caulking gun I advice you to stay away from doing that your self.
r>
There is a brand of sealers named “AQUA MIX GROUT SEALER ” I believe you can find it at home depot look for the one with the golden seal, that’s a good product and is easy to use. As far as how often, refer to the Sealers’ label it will tell you how often you need to do it.
About how to prep before you seal, use 1 gallon of water mixed wit half a cup of white vinegar it will help you clean the grout, let it dry before you apply the sealer (I recommend you may want to test a small portion before you clean the whole thing, just to make sure you don’t run into any surprises)
If your hair ***** lines are at the corners of the tub, don’t worry about that, up to a point that is normal. Use a silicone caulk to protect the corners. If you apply it nice it looks great, but if you don’t, you will make a mess, and it will look horrible, if you are not experienced with a caulking gun I advice you to stay away from doing that your self.
October 27th, 2008 on 10:42 pm
If it`s done right, it only needs sealing once.
After it drys and Definitely before any water hits it i.e. in a shower etc.
If you have hairline cracks you may already have a wet wall behind.
Can you stick a thin blade in them and see how far it goes?
As 1can2 said, cracks in the corners or where the tile meets the tub is normal but Does need to be filled.
I am a perfectionist and would HAVE to remove and this and caulk with a tube (the tube is easier to handle than a gun unless you are VERY adept with one) of new white 100% silicone.
Just cut the tip of the tube at the lines on it, no bigger than the widest gap between the tiles.
Smooth with a wet finger and clean up with a wet rag ASAP.
Use regular rubbing alcohol for Fine cleanup.
A single edge razor blade will help scrape it off the tile face but try and get the joints as thin and smooth as possible.
If these are surface cracks, it may not be too late to re-grout it.
If they go deep I would scratch it out and re-grout with a latex grout.
You will have to scratch ALL the joints `til rough and clean at Least. DON`T use water!
If we were being paid to do this, we would more than likely remove it all and start over but in your case and it was Mine,
I would take off as much as possible to insure good adhesion with the new grout.
Leaving deep scratch marks helps too.
We have`nt found ANYthing better than Old English furniture polish or similar for the sealer in 42 years but you Can, of course use what you like.
We use cheesecloth to wipe the film off the tile, then the Old English shines the tile and seals the grout in one application.
Don`t be stingy with it `tho (:>
Oh, and don`t use a polish that has a stain color added unless you want different colored grout everywhere.
RT
r>
If it`s done right, it only needs sealing once.
After it drys and Definitely before any water hits it i.e. in a shower etc.
If you have hairline cracks you may already have a wet wall behind.
Can you stick a thin blade in them and see how far it goes?
As 1can2 said, cracks in the corners or where the tile meets the tub is normal but Does need to be filled.
I am a perfectionist and would HAVE to remove and this and caulk with a tube (the tube is easier to handle than a gun unless you are VERY adept with one) of new white 100% silicone.
Just cut the tip of the tube at the lines on it, no bigger than the widest gap between the tiles.
Smooth with a wet finger and clean up with a wet rag ASAP.
Use regular rubbing alcohol for Fine cleanup.
A single edge razor blade will help scrape it off the tile face but try and get the joints as thin and smooth as possible.
If these are surface cracks, it may not be too late to re-grout it.
If they go deep I would scratch it out and re-grout with a latex grout.
You will have to scratch ALL the joints `til rough and clean at Least. DON`T use water!
If we were being paid to do this, we would more than likely remove it all and start over but in your case and it was Mine,
I would take off as much as possible to insure good adhesion with the new grout.
Leaving deep scratch marks helps too.
We have`nt found ANYthing better than Old English furniture polish or similar for the sealer in 42 years but you Can, of course use what you like.
We use cheesecloth to wipe the film off the tile, then the Old English shines the tile and seals the grout in one application.
Don`t be stingy with it `tho (:>
Oh, and don`t use a polish that has a stain color added unless you want different colored grout everywhere.
RT
October 30th, 2008 on 5:43 pm
your actual wall tiles in bathroom about every 2 years thats the length of most manufacturers product shelf life
r>
your actual wall tiles in bathroom about every 2 years thats the length of most manufacturers product shelf life