Do you really need to seal your tiles? The short answer is yes. However, it is important to know the details of when and why you should as well as the exceptions and precautions. Whether moving into a new home or just trying to protect your tiles, sealing is a vital step. Of course, you want to keep those beautiful new floors looking spectacular. This, along with grout sealing, is the key to doing so. Sealing is the ticket to keeping your tile surfaces looking new and lasting for a long time.
As detailed above, sealing your tiles is an important step to ensure your floors, counters, patio, backsplash and more stay looking new. That being said, there are a few exceptions to this. Materials such as ceramic or porcelain may not need to be sealed nearly as often. They are not as porous as natural stone. Slate, granite, marble, etc. will naturally absorb any spills causing it to become stained or damaged. This is similar to how spills and moisture will react to grout that causes it to crack.
Sealing your grout is common knowledge for many homeowners. It is a vital practice since grout can easily be damaged by moisture which can cause stains, mold, and cracking. Damage to your grout can also lead to cracking of tiles which is absolutely something you want to avoid.
It is simple to check if your grout is sealed by depositing a few drops of water on it. If the grout changes color, chances are you will need to seal it. There are countless pros to sealing your grout. Not to mention, it’s much easier to clean keeping it looking good as new. You can learn more about the reasons for cracked grout in our blog post!
This is a loaded question as it depends on many factors. The material, quality, location and more can affect when you should seal your tiles. If available, checking the manufacturer’s instructions is a great way to learn when and how often you should seal your tiles. In a perfect scenario, tiles should be pre-sealed leaving them ready before installation. But more on that later.
The importance of sealing any tile is to strengthen the material and protect against water, dirt, chipping or erosion. As mentioned previously, some materials may not need to be sealed as they are not naturally porous. This rule can also have an exception so it is important to check with the manufacturer as some ceramic or porcelain tiles may not be as waterproof as others.
You can use a similar trick to the grout test to check if the tile needs sealing. Just spread a few drops of water on the tile and see how long it takes to absorb. Anything under a minute means it’s time for resealing. Do this every 6 months to a year to ensure your home stays protected!
Tile may be more common indoors, but an outdoor tile patio could be that trendy look you were searching for! With that being said, caring for tile outdoor vs indoor can be different. Any dirt, moisture or water that comes in contact with the tiles can lead to a quicker deterioration of the sealant. Of course, you cannot control the weather outside which indicates you may need to seal your tiles more often.
Bathroom tiling and kitchen tiling also have to be treated very differently. The bathroom, depending on its ventilation, will most likely have more moisture and fluctuation of environment than a kitchen. Tiles in the shower vs a backsplash in the kitchen will also experience more wear and tear from water and steam. These factors will all dictate when and how often you need to reseal. Heavily trafficked areas in your home will always need more TLC (aka sealing).
If not already clear, sealing will preserve your tiles and grout making them last longer. This in turn helps you avoid unnecessary high costs of replacing or repairing. Sealing will protect your tiles against water and food stains, cracks, and overall damage.
Having your tiles pre-sealed is also important. Since some materials are very porous, the grout or mortar can cause them to stain during installation. These spots are very hard to remove and can leave your tile looking imperfect on day one.
Of course, staying on top of sealing is vital as well. Cleaning products, dirt, water, spills, etc. can all affect the tiles. It only takes a stain or two to make you feel unhappy with the overall look of your tiles. Needless to say, it’s best to test these materials on at least a yearly basis to ensure the preservation of your tiles and grout.
Sealing the tile across your home each year can be a tedious process. Not to mention, not having the proper products or tools can leave you with a less than perfect job. At REVIVIFY, we use industrial grade cleaners and techniques for all your tile sealing needs. Our technicians are trained to know how to clean and seal every material leaving your surfaces protected. In our professional opinion, your gorgeous stone countertop or pristine ceramic shower should last a lifetime. We have the tools and team to make that happen. If you are located in the Vancouver, WA or Portland, OR areas, call us today to learn more about our tile sealing services!