Why Tile Sealants Should Be Applied
While tile sealants are not always required they can help keep tile looking new. Sealants also make it easier for the customer to keep clean and germ free. It is also a great way to help prevent the growth of mold, especially when combined with a grout sealer. This is why many contractors should push for their customers to seal both grout and tile.
How to decide if your tile needs sealing.
When it comes down to deciding which tile needs to be sealed, not all tile is made the same. There is the kind that don’t need it, like the trending tile of 2021, ceramic tile. It can and should be applied to the grout still. In those such instances, a penetrating sealer would be a good choice for the grout. Porcelain tile is very similar to ceramic and so it does not always need a sealant. This is especially true if it is glazed or of good quality. The other kind of tiles are those types that need to be sealed. These are tiles like natural stone, terracotta and quarry stone tiles. These stones are naturally porous and will absorb water and moisture if you do not seal them.
For the tile that needs sealant, it is recommended to apply before and after grouting. It may not always be possible to seal prior to grouting. However, it is recommended to try and preserve as natural of a look as possible for the tile. Before sealing the tile, it is important to clean the tile off. CementPro‘s Pro Clean or biodegradable Remover Pro will work perfect for this without destroying the look of the stone as some other cleaners will.
What kind of sealant do you need?
Next is deciding whether to use a topical sealant or a penetrating sealant. The type of sealant that will work best for the job comes down to the location of the job and the type of tile used. A topical sealant will be applied to the top of the tile, and it provides the tile with a coating that will protect it. This will require routine maintenance to make sure that the coating stays in good condition and keeps the tile sealed. A penetrating sealant will absorb into the stone tile and seal it. This will not require as much maintenance as the topical sealant and does not normally change the color of the tile at all.
Remember to stay on top of resealing the tile. An easy way to know if the tile needs to be resealed is to test it with water. Just put a few drops of water on the tile and see what happens. If the water beads up and forms a water drop on top of the tile, then the tile is good to go still. Or, if the water starts to absorb in any way to the tile, then it is time to reapply the sealant.
If the customer wants to add some extra shine with extra scratch resistance, then super shine would be a great option for them. It’s a water-based option that utilizes premium quality acrylics which is also great for stain and dirt resistance.
It is highly recommended that you double check with the tile manufacturer to ensure that you use the proper sealant for the tile as to not permanently damage the tile.
