Ceramic Tile and Grout Sealing

Sealing of the tile and grout for ceramic should happen every 1-2 years. Stonetech’s Heavy Duty Sealer is an excellent sealer for the stone. It is an impregnating sealer and will also seal the grout for ceramic tile. Unitex’s Reflection, Betco Sure Cure, or Stonetech Grout Sealer can also be used for sealing the grout on glazed ceramic or the entire floor surface for unglazed ceramic tile.

Ceramic has the following characteristics:

• Made by mixing clay and water and then firing it to hardness in a kiln.
• Tiles are very hard and can be glazed or left unglazed.
• The grout and mortar is porous and susceptible to staining.
• Sealer can be used to help keep grout and mortar from staining.
• Finish extends the life of the sealer on unglazed ceramic tile and makes overall maintenance more effective.
• Finish will not adhere to glazed ceramic tile.
• Do not use abrasives or highly acid cleaners on ceramic tile every day because they can destroy the grout.
• Daily mopping with a neutral cleaner keeps these tiles clean without harming the mortar.

Recommendation:

1. Before sealing, make sure surface is dry for 6-12 hours.
2. Note: if using the StoneTech Heavy Duty Sealer, you can apply this sealer after 1 hour.
3. Dilute StoneTech Stone and Tile Cleaner at 2 oz per gallon of water and mop onto floor to clean floor. You can also use Unitex Daily Clean diluted at 2 oz per gallon of water. For more intense cleaning, use StoneTech Klenz All diluted at 4 oz per allon of water.
4. Cover all areas not being sealed to make sure sealer does not hit them.
5. Using a pump-up sprayer, liberally spray, mop, or roll StoneTech Heavy Duty Sealer, Grout Sealer, Unitex Reflection, or Betco Sure Cure undiluted onto the surface until it is wet.
6. When surface begins to dry, within 3-5 minutes, wipe any sealer from surface. Apply second coat as needed for more porous surfaces.
7. After 30 minutes, wipe off any excess sealer with a clean and dry white terry cloth towel or cotton bonnet on a 175 RPM floor machine.
8. If sealing the grout only on glazed ceramic tile, apply Unitex Reflection, Betco Sure Cure, or Stonetech Grout Sealer undiluted to grout areas. Build up to 3 coats of the sealer. For unglazed ceramic tile, follow the same steps, but cover the entire floor surface.

Warning: Always test materials for colorfastness, follow label directions, and never mix products unless specified in the label directions. Each situation reacts differently and results may vary.