Grout Sealing--Which To Choose And Why's

When embarking on a new do-it-yourself grout sealing project, it is always a good idea to do your research and look into the many, many different types of products that are available to your disposal. Gaining a perspective on the choices will ensure your grout sealing project turns out like you expect and lives up to your expectations.

There are only a handful of types of grout sealers to consider but each has it's benefits and drawbacks. The cheaper silicone based clear penetrating type grout sealers only provide a small window of opportunity to pick up a spill before it soaks into the grout. These kinds of sealers leave the grout looking natural and don't tend to darken the grout. All penetrating type sealers only give you a little resistance to staining. They won't even protect against dirty mop water.

Enhancer is another type of penetrating grout sealer that will bring out the color of grout and normally make the grout darker in appearance. Enhancing grout can really change the look so be sure to test an area before you apply it in large sections.

For any area that is subject to water,such as a shower or bathroom, an acrylic coating can provide the best protection. A disadvantage of a topcoat acrylic sealer is that it tends to make the grout shiny and slick. It is a good idea to keep in mind that you should reapply any sealant in a particularly wet area once every couple of years to prevent leakage and damage. If dirt or a spill gets by an acrylic sealer from an unprotected edge or area, it is very difficult to get at the stain to remove it completely because of the hard protecton layer.

For the ultimate in stain protection, grout colorants like This Old Grout's Color Seal provide stain proofing properties to grout so dirt and spills are easily removed and also restore the grout color back to completely uniform color. Grout color changes are possible with grout stains which means you can easily update older installations. With a huge color selection and easy application, grout stains allow the average user to produce professional grout cleaning and sealing results. The minor drawback is that grout dyes are generally more time consuming to apply as the excess grout colorant must be removed from the tile surface.

Overall, the cheaper the grout sealer, the less protection and longevity you'll get out of it. But grout colorants provide a far greater level of protection and flexibility. The benefits of color sealing grout far outweight those of sealing grout with a penetrating grout sealer. Only work in very well-ventilated areas and on previously cleaned and scrubbed water-based grouts; epoxy based grout does not require any kind of sealant. It is also incredibly important to remember to let the grout completely set before applying sealant and to let it dry entirely before using that portion of the house as premature use can actually harm the sealant and ruin your project.