Grout Sealer

[xKornCatx]

so you said that after making this video you discovered that the sealant interferes with cleaning the grout..would you recommend using grout sealer or not? my grout is very dark the way it is so i probably dont need the sealant anyway :)

[AsktheBuilder]

@xKornCatx No sealer. If you want to clean grout, especially floor grout, you should use my Stain Solver. Go to the StainSolver website. The dot com one.

[dfalchek]

I've read Tim before, but never saw him on video. I didn't know he had a sense of humor! Thanks, Tim.

[AsktheBuilder]

@dfalchek Talk to my wife and she'll tell you it's not too good. She groans when I try to be funny.

[rahilsaifi]

GREAT VID BUT WHAT HAPPENS IF ITS ALREADY DIRTY AND ITYS NOT CLEANING

[AsktheBuilder]

@rahilsaifi You could try to use my powerful Oxygen Bleach - Stain Solver. Go to the StainSolver website. Be SURE you allow the solution to sit on the grout for at least 30 minutes. Then add more solution and SCRUB hard with a stiff scrub brush.

[social3ngin33rin]

we have to make sure the shower dries as quickly as possible every time we shower?!?

[AsktheBuilder]

@social3ngin33rin If you want to minimize mold, it's highly recommended.

[Mytriptoaustralia]

Sealers solutions are different for different situation.. Sealer for grout is not really designed to be shiny e that type of sealer will probably last much lesser than the right one.. Home Depot and other hardware store sell junk average quality products and anyway, before you apply the sealer the grout needs to be clean and neutralized. Too much alkaline or too much acid will not let the sealer work properly..

In short, do your job and let the professional do what is not for you.

[TIKOMIX]

I have small hexagonal tiles with lots of grout lines. What type of technique and sealer should I use for all of these little grout lines?

[budfish41]

There are several brands of grout sealer at Home Depot and elsewhere - is there one brand that's better than the others?

Noticed one that was about $5 more than another...

[AsktheBuilder]

Price is often a barometer of quality. Higher prices frequently mean better ingredients. You don't need a sealer if you just clean with oxygen bleach. I did this video because people want to know about them. Sealers can block cleaning in case a stain gets by a sealer. The sealer inhibits the cleaner from penetrating into the grout. Go to the OxygenBleach website for more info.

[mcgaugh57]

My experience with tile sealers has been iffy at best. They can leave a flaky edge and actually change grout color and turn yellow.

[AsktheBuilder]

Since this video was made, I've changed my stance on sealers. I've discovered they make it harder to clean grout. If a stain gets behind or under the sealer - it can easily happen - then the sealer makes it hard for the cleaner to get to the stain. I clean all my grout with oxygen bleach. Stain Solver is a powerful one I've been selling myself.

[sharkyandmywheel]

i would recommend dupont ADVANCED stone and tile sealer (found at Lowe's... there will be an identical one next to it that does not say advanced and there is most definitely nothing advanced about it.) Although it is 90 dollars for about a gallon, it is well worth it. I don't trust anything else since i used it, especially aeresol sealers.

[eli7909]

Nice Hat!

[AsktheBuilder]

Sealers are not a bad idea. You want the water off the tile to inhibit mildew growth.

[bluecobalt27]

Interesting video but I have 2 questions:

i) if you use a special waterproof grout do you still need the sealer?

ii) when you mentioned drying the tiles, did you mean after every single time you use the shower?

[canofwhipass]

OMG!!This 2008 not 1985.Go to your tile shop & get a aerosol can of penetrating grout sealer.spray it on & remove excess on tiles. By doing this you will complete job about a million hours faster.

[chufiuz]

How can I make the grout of my ceramic tile floor to be shiny ??

[AsktheBuilder]

apply a wet-look acrylic sealer

[canofwhipass]

this will only work on porous tiles such as terracotta

[mamecmh61]

that's what I want....what is it called and where can you buy it

thanks

[canofwhipass]

Lay shiny tiles on top of the ones you have.

[Redcell6A]

Tim,

I just got done (I think) sealing my tile grout on my bathroom floor. I didn't have a fancy brush/tube applicator but the sponge brush I used worked pretty well as long as I changed them often. The grout tends to chew off little pieces if you use the same one too long.

Anyway, my question is how many "coats" would you recommend. The manufacturer says two but even on the second go-round I started to wonder if a third would be a better idea. Thoughts?

Take care.

[AsktheBuilder]

Three would be good.

[Redcell6A]

Three it is. Thanks!

[shwantz1]

All his videos are good. BUT whoever makes these vids has no idea how to level the volume. Jeez, you blow a pair of speakers everytime you watch!

[AsktheBuilder]

Sorry about that! We fixed that on all new videos. It is pretty painful to go back and fix. When you upload the corrected, you loose all views and all comments. :-(

[fromkhadija]

Cool video. How does one "regrout" old tiles? I have some industrial strength tiles that are about 30 years old, the grout has worn down and it looks terrible. I need to do something....

[AsktheBuilder]

You need to remove enough of the old grout to get back to the unglazed sides of the tile.  New grout needs to be at least 1/16th inch thick.

[fromkhadija]

Thank you!