Do I Seal Ceramic Tile

Marble tile on the fireplace installed greater than 30 days.

Do i seal ceramic tile.

There are some exceptions to this so check with your manufacturer to be sure. If your tile is ceramic or porcelain it probably won t need to be sealed. Even if you can find a sealer to adhere to the surface it will most likely peel or wear very quickly usually in 2 12 months. Different types of ceramic tiles and grout have distinct features that should be considered when choosing sealing products.

If it doesn t only seal the grout. With some grouts that can be even worse with it needing sealer. Let me share what i believe you want to know to make a smart decision. When to seal tiles.

Finding the best tile sealer for ceramic and porcelain floors. Sealing is done to strengthen tile or grout s defenses against dirt spills and erosion of grout but not all tile needs to be sealed. Use latex based products to seal both grout and tile. Some tiles are too thick to absorb the sealant so check a small area first.

But like any floor a ceramic tile floor can become soiled or stained if it isn t sealed properly and regularly. You do not need to seal the surfaces of most ceramic and porcelain. Epoxy grout is a tough water resistant material that doesn t require sealer but it s not right for every tile application. Ceramic tile floors are an attractive and durable addition to high traffic and wet areas in a home.

Some do require a light application of a penetrating sealer to fill the micro pores on the surface of the tile. Failure to do this can lead to the grout chipping and coming off over a short amount of time. Shower tiles should be sealed every one to two years depending on how often the shower is used. Adhesion wanting to seal your ceramic floor tile surfaces because an existing floor sealer is peeling off.

Important considerations before using tile sealers. If the tile soaks up the sealant seal the entire shower. For the last 18 years i ve been answering the multitude of questions for do it your selfers and contractors. Seal all unglazed tiles including dense porcelains prior to grouting.

Procelain tile in the shower completed one week is this long enough to set if i decide to seal ceramic tile on the kitchen backsplash installed about 2 weeks. Sealers or coatings do not adhere or stick well to ceramic floor tiles. Porcelain tile on the bathroom floors installed greater than 30 days. Unsealed tiles such as clay and natural stone must be sealed.

Even tiles that have a pre existing sealer can eventually have that layer wear down over time.