If you were to ask me “What is the most missed home yearly maintenance?” My answer would be sealing your Grout. I honestly don’t think anyone does it, and part of that fault lies with the contractors. There are a lot of contractors who skip this step all together, and if your contractor does it, he very rarely will tell you it is recommended to do every year.
Ceramic tile can be beautiful. It is an absolutely gorgeous addition to your home whether you are talking floors, backsplashes, or tiled showers. But did you know your tile, regardless of location, is recommended to be sealed every year? It is very easy to do and relatively cheap, but it will save you thousands over the course of the years and help prolong the life of that tile.
Like all forms of concrete and cement, grout is porous. Which simply means it allows water to slowly seep through it. This can be very bad for tile because most of your tile is in wet locations. Things such as mold, growth, bacteria, and more can grow behind your tile if moisture is allowed to get behind it. The number one cause for moisture behind your tile is non-sealed grout.
Have you ever seen black or brown bleeding through the grout lines that is just impossible to clean? How about cracked grout? Or loose tile? You guessed it, these are all a direct link to the grout not being sealed properly on a yearly basis.
Ok, now we understand we should seal the grout, but how? Well for about $10 and 20 minutes of time you can seal all the tile in your home. Just follow these simple steps below and your tile will last for years to come.
1) Clean all dust and dirt off of the tile and be sure to get the grout lines clean. Any remaining dirt will be sealed into the grout and made a permanent part of the home.
2) Use a mild soap or detergent and wipe all tile and grout down. Make sure this is completely dry before continuing to the next step.
3) Purchase a grout sealer, there are many variations from aerosol cans to brush on or wipe on. All do well and the application is pretty similar to each. Make sure to read the instructions and always follow the manufacturer recommendations.
4) Apply the grout sealer, by spraying, wiping, or brushing. All dependant on the sealer you purchased.
5) Allow to rest for 5 minutes (Check the manufacture recommendations)
6) Wipe off with a clean dry rag.
It’s that simple. Anyone can do it and it will make your home remain beautiful for years to come.
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