Who actually seals their grout?

[Anonymous]

Recently moved into our newly constructed dream home. I want to take good care of it! I think to myself, we need to seal the grout so it doesn't get stained or moldy. We start that project and it's not hard, but the sealer smells and there is just so. much. grout. Aside from the tub/shower walls there are also the tile floors and kitchen backsplash. And they are supposed to be cleaned and dried for a few days before sealing.

I know I'm whining, so level with me. Who here seals their grout? Was it worth it?! Do you reapply every year?

[Anonymous]

It's not a good idea to seal grout, especially in wet areas like showers, kitchen and bathroom floors, etc. as it can cause rot and decay as well as mold problems.

Sealant doesn't do anything anyway as far as preventing discoloration, and can often cause it to look worse as it wears away.

Clean regularly and don't use sealers.

[Anonymous]

Our realtor recommended doing it before we even moved in, and the company providing the service gave us the timing for refreshing it periodically. It prevents mold and staining, is less expensive than completely replacing grout altogether if it gets grungy, and keeps tiled areas looking good.

[Anonymous]

I read alot about this topic.
We think we need to seal grout to prevent moisture from seeping in.
But the problem is that moisture will seep in from somewhere else and it will have a hard time evaporating.

Here's an example - you wear a neoprene surfing suit to keep the moisture out.
But some water does get in. Well, now it's trapped because the likelihood that it will all evaporate out of the itty bitty opening it seeped in from is small. Most surfers don't care about a little moisture, they will strip off the suit and let it hang dry.
But you can't do that with your grout nor your tiles. The moisture will stay in the tile, likely gravity will move it down. It's ok if it reaches the tub or shower flange, it will just drip and weep into the tub or shower. But if it's the floor? That's what you have to worry about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I read alot about this topic.
We think we need to seal grout to prevent moisture from seeping in.
But the problem is that moisture will seep in from somewhere else and it will have a hard time evaporating.

Here's an example - you wear a neoprene surfing suit to keep the moisture out.
But some water does get in. Well, now it's trapped because the likelihood that it will all evaporate out of the itty bitty opening it seeped in from is small. Most surfers don't care about a little moisture, they will strip off the suit and let it hang dry.
But you can't do that with your grout nor your tiles. The moisture will stay in the tile, likely gravity will move it down. It's ok if it reaches the tub or shower flange, it will just drip and weep into the tub or shower. But if it's the floor? That's what you have to worry about.

Sealing done correctly is impermeable, just like caulking prevents moisture infiltration. Both form effective moisture barriers, that's their purpose. Poorly applied products may not serve their intended purposes, but that's true of anything.

[Anonymous]

Imo if you want an impervious surface, use something else. Like I would use a tinted grout and/or epoxy grout but I think trying to apply a topical sealer to regular cement grout is not going to work and it will just make cleaning it harder in the long run.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I read alot about this topic.
We think we need to seal grout to prevent moisture from seeping in.
But the problem is that moisture will seep in from somewhere else and it will have a hard time evaporating.

Here's an example - you wear a neoprene surfing suit to keep the moisture out.
But some water does get in. Well, now it's trapped because the likelihood that it will all evaporate out of the itty bitty opening it seeped in from is small. Most surfers don't care about a little moisture, they will strip off the suit and let it hang dry.
But you can't do that with your grout nor your tiles. The moisture will stay in the tile, likely gravity will move it down. It's ok if it reaches the tub or shower flange, it will just drip and weep into the tub or shower. But if it's the floor? That's what you have to worry about.

Sealing done correctly is impermeable, just like caulking prevents moisture infiltration. Both form effective moisture barriers, that's their purpose. Poorly applied products may not serve their intended purposes, but that's true of anything.

Sure but like, I have paint on surfaces in my house that’s 20 years old and is in perfect shape. If I paint on sandpaper and then walk on it, it’s not going to work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous[b wrote:]Our realtor recommended[/b] doing it before we even moved in, and the company providing the service gave us the timing for refreshing it periodically. It prevents mold and staining, is less expensive than completely replacing grout altogether if it gets grungy, and keeps tiled areas looking good.

Always do the opposite of anything those scammers say.

Seriously, sealing is for newbs and idiots who don't know anything about the topic. It's a scam.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's not a good idea to seal grout, especially in wet areas like showers, kitchen and bathroom floors, etc. as it can cause rot and decay as well as mold problems.

Sealant doesn't do anything anyway as far as preventing discoloration, and can often cause it to look worse as it wears away.

Clean regularly and don't use sealers.

I'm not sure what you're talking about, but this is not true for penetrating dealers. No rot. No decay. They also prevent stains. Penetrating sealers breathe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's not a good idea to seal grout, especially in wet areas like showers, kitchen and bathroom floors, etc. as it can cause rot and decay as well as mold problems.

Sealant doesn't do anything anyway as far as preventing discoloration, and can often cause it to look worse as it wears away.

Clean regularly and don't use sealers.

I'm not sure what you're talking about, but this is not true for penetrating dealers. No rot. No decay. They also prevent stains. Penetrating sealers breathe.

That's the issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's not a good idea to seal grout, especially in wet areas like showers, kitchen and bathroom floors, etc. as it can cause rot and decay as well as mold problems.

Sealant doesn't do anything anyway as far as preventing discoloration, and can often cause it to look worse as it wears away.

Clean regularly and don't use sealers.

I'm not sure what you're talking about, but this is not true for penetrating dealers. No rot. No decay. They also prevent stains. Penetrating sealers breathe.

That's the issue.

You're a dumbass if you're using a surface sealer. New to the Internet?

[Anonymous]

Sealing grout is ridiculous and has no value.

[Anonymous]

It's such a bad idea that many grouts have a built in sealer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's not a good idea to seal grout, especially in wet areas like showers, kitchen and bathroom floors, etc. as it can cause rot and decay as well as mold problems.

Sealant doesn't do anything anyway as far as preventing discoloration, and can often cause it to look worse as it wears away.

Clean regularly and don't use sealers.

I'm not sure what you're talking about, but this is not true for penetrating dealers. No rot. No decay. They also prevent stains. Penetrating sealers breathe.

That's the issue.

You're a dumbass if you're using a surface sealer. New to the Internet?

Correct.

[Anonymous]

Most new grout does not require sealing but I recommend my homeowners to seal it anyways about a week after new grout. For those who say don’t seal because it seals in the moisture how do you think the moisture is getting in? Yes..if it gets in (sealing is not 100%) it will evaporate out the same route. The goal of sealing is to keep out as much water as possible, particularly on shower floors. Signed, local bath remodeler