This is another very common question we get- “Should I seal the grout between my tiles?” or “Should I seal my natural stone?”
The answer is the same, in almost every case: yes. Virtually the only time where sealing grout is not beneficial is if you have epoxy grout, as it never needs to be sealed. Otherwise, it’s highly likely that you have cementitious grout, which is comprised of cement and sand. Over time soil, especially acidic soils (particularly around a toilet or in a shower), will eat away at the grout, causing damage. Having a proper sealant on/in the grout will help protect it from breaking down over time.
So what type of sealer should be used? Rather than the inexpensive spray on sealers you can purchase at a big box store, we used penetrating sealers that soak down into the grout (or stone) and protect them from the inside out. These also last much longer than topical sealers and don’t wear off as quickly with foot traffic.
How often should I seal grout? It depends largely on where the tile/grout is located. In high traffic or high moisture areas, it should be done more often.
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General rule: every 1-4 years
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In showers or other high moisture areas: 1-2 years
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In high traffic areas such as kitchens, hallways, and entryways: 1-3 years
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In low traffic/low moisture areas (walls, rooms that hardly get used): 2-4 years
Can grout that has been damaged be salvaged? Possibly. If it’s slight damage from wear over time, we may be able to correct it with acid etching. However, if it’s severely damaged, it would require a company that can repair and regrout those areas.
See below the kind of transformation we can do to tile and grout!
