FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter Instagram Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe

In every issue you'll find...

  • Expert insights on techniques and principles
  • Unbiased tool reviews
  • Step-by-step details to master the job
  • Field-tested advice and know-how
Subscribe Now!
Subscribe
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
  • Join
  • Log In
Subscribe

Fine Homebuilding Project Guides

Tiling

Guide Home
Chapter
  • Selecting Tile
  • Tools & Techniques
  • Installation Materials
  • Preparation
  • Tiling Floors
  • Tiling Walls & Backsplashes
  • Tiling Showers
  • Grouting, Sealing & Caulking
  • Maintenance & Repair
How-To

Tile Grout: Seal or No Seal?

Tilesetter Tom Meehan offers advice on sealing grout and tile.

By Tom Meehan Issue 184

Q:

My tile guy said that I don’t need to seal the light-colored sanded latex grout on the porcelain-tile floor in my bathroom. The handyman in the newspaper column said that I do. Who is right?

Don Pfrimmer, via email

A:

Tom Meehan, a tilesetter and the owner of Cape Cod Tileworks in Harwich, Massachusetts, replies: Apparently, the handyman did his homework, and the tile guy did not. This is a big issue in the tile industry despite the plethora of easily obtainable information. The Tile Council of North America (www.tileusa.com; 864-646-8453), The Ceramic Tile Education Foundation (www.tileschool.org; 864-222-2131), and most tile manufacturers offer technical support. When in doubt, call for answers.

At least 98% of tile and grout can be sealed. A light-colored latex-modified grout should be sealed twice because its light color is more likely to stain or become dirty than darker-colored grouts. As far as sealing the tile itself, all natural stone should be sealed, and many ceramic tiles can be sealed to make washing off the grout easier. To my knowledge, the only time that sealer hurts tile is when excess puddles are left on the tile surface. Brush or spray on sealer; then towel off the tile to remove any residue.

Using the correct sealer is also an important factor. In most cases, the sealer should be an impregnator sealer. This type of sealer is used to seal the pores of the tile or stone by penetrating the pores and blocking them from the inside to the outside. These sealers stop moisture from penetrating the surface of the tile while also allowing moisture vapor to escape the tile.

When the sealer dries, the stone or grout goes back to its dry-looking state. To make the tile shiny, you can apply an enhancer.

Sign up for eletters today and get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus special offers.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters
Previous: How to Tile a Backsplash Series: Applying Sealant and Grout Next: Applying Caulk

Guide

Tiling

Chapter

Grouting, Sealing & Caulking

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Tiling

Tiling

Trusted, comprehensive guidance from the pros for a great-looking tile job in any room of the house

View Project Guide

View All Project Guides »

Become a member and get unlimited site access, including the Tiling Project Guide.

Start Free Trial

Selecting Tile
  • The Basics
  • Tile Options
Tools & Techniques
  • Job-Preparation Tools
  • Cutting Tiles
  • Setting & Grouting Tools
Installation Materials
  • Membranes & Substrates
  • Adhesives & Mortars
  • Grout
  • Sealers & Caulk
  • Spacers, Hardware & Trim
Preparation
  • The Prep Job
  • Repairs & Surface Prep
  • Installing Backerboard
Tiling Floors
  • Layout & Installation
  • Setting Specialty Tiles
Tiling Walls & Backsplashes
  • Preparation
  • Backsplashes
  • Walls
Tiling Showers
  • Tile Shower Basics
  • Waterproofing
  • Shower Pans
  • Shower Drains
  • Shower Niches
  • Video Series: Tile a Shower
  • Video Series: Tile a Barrier-Free Bathroom
Grouting, Sealing & Caulking
  • Grouting
  • Caulking
  • Sealing
Maintenance & Repair
  • Maintenance
  • Tile Repair
  • Grout Repair

Fine Homebuilding

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences

Taunton Network

  • Green Building Advisor
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Fine Gardening
  • Threads
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Copyright
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2023 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Shop the Store

  • Books
  • DVDs
  • Taunton Workshops

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in