Do I Need to Seal My Tile Floors?

Imagine you've just moved into a new home with gorgeous tile floors. You've been told to seal the floor but thought it would just be the grout that needed care. What's the proper way to take care of your beautiful tiles? Grout typically requires sealing but so do some types of tile while others can be left unsealed. Learn more about sealing tile floors properly and tips on tile floor maintenance.

Should You Seal the Grout or the Tile? 

The grout on your tiled floor is sealed because it is naturally porous and stains easily. As a bonus, sealed grout is much easier to keep clean.

Whether or not to seal the tile is a separate issue. Sealing is done to strengthen your floor's defenses against dirt, spills, and erosion but not all tile needs to be sealed. Sealants are usually unnecessary for ceramic or porcelain tiles. There are some exceptions to this, so check with your manufacturer. Sealants are necessary for natural stone (slate, marble, granite, travertine, etc.). Natural stone is porous and absorbs spills, making it stain fairly easily.

When to Seal Grout and Tiles

Most installers of tile floors do not seal them because grout has to cure first. Some grout can be sealed about 48 hours after installation but other manufacturers recommend letting grout set for about a month before sealing. Natural stone tile floors are typically sealed before grouting and then again after the grout has been fully cured and sealed.

Follow the manufacturer's instructions on recommended times to seal grout and tile. If a tile job was completed years ago, it may need resealing. If your tile work is in an outdoor area the elements will likely wear it down faster. Grout in bathrooms is exposed to a lot of humidity and moisture which can cause it to break down. Loose tiles or flaking grout, especially around the tub, means it's time to reseal.

How to Tell If Grout and Tile Is Sealed

An easy water droplet method can sometimes accurately indicate if your grout or tile is already sealed. Spread a few drops of water on the floor's grout and tile. If the grout or tile darkens or changes color, they are probably not sealed. If they stay the same color, they may have already been sealed.

How To Seal Grout and Tile Floors

Read the manufacturer's recommendations for sealing the tile part of the floor, which differs from sealing the grout. You may have to do two sealings on the natural stone tiles (depending on instructions) and seal the grout between those times.

Sealing grout is easy but it takes time. Here are the basic steps for sealing grout:

1. Clean the grout with water and gentle, clear liquid dish soap using a soft toothbrush. Let the grout dry completely, which may take a couple of days.
2. Apply the sealer consistently in the individual grout lines with a brush applicator.
3. Let the sealer sit for 10 minutes (or go by the time in the instructions) and use a damp cloth to wipe it down.
4. Apply a second coat if instructed on the package.
5. Test the sealant when dry to see if drops of water bead up. If not, apply another coat until the water does bead up.
6. Do not walk on the floor until the sealant is cured in about 48 hours.
   

Cleaning Sealed Grout and Tiles

While sealing your tiles and grout will help protect them from stains, accidents still happen. Clean dirty or stained white grout with a mild bleach solution, or a baking soda and water paste. Use a small amount of diluted white vinegar or a paste of oxygen bleach and water to clean dark and colored grout, but do this infrequently to preserve the grout.

When cleaning a tile floor, be careful not to scrub it with anything too stiff, like a metal brush, that could scratch or damage the tiles.