How To Seal Shower Tile Grout

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March 20, 2017

Shower grout is just a mixture of sand, cement and water; so it is naturally porous and absorbent.

Left unsealed, it can soak up dirt and mildew.  Once it sets in, it’s time consuming to get out – sometimes it never comes out.

You can seal your shower grout easily and affordably.  Sealer is available as either water-based or solvent-based.

We recommend sealing your grout at least once a year.

To seal your shower grout, you’ll need…

• Rubber cleaning gloves
• Course scrub pad
• Bucket
• Clean towel
• Sponge
• Grout sealer
• Applicator bottle with a roller-wheel top
• Paper towels

Here are the eight simple steps…

1. Allow your new grout to set for 48-72 hours before applying sealer.
2. Ventilate the room.  Put on rubber cleaning gloves.  Dip a coarse scrub pad into a bucket of clean water.   Scrub each grout line with the wet pad so you can remove all loose grout and debris.  Then, wipe up the debris and water with a clean towel or a large sponge.  Allow the grout to dry for the amount of time recommended by the sealer manufacturer.
3. Pour the sealer into an applicator bottle.  Fill it to the top.  Place the roller-wheel top on the bottle and tighten it securely.
4. Turn the applicator bottle upside down, so that the roller-wheel points toward the floor.
5. Roll the wheel down the center of the grout line.  Saturate it completely with sealer.  Please work in small sections.  Use dry paper towels to remove excess sealer from the tile.  Drying sealer can leave a dull, hazy film on the surface of tile, so allow the sealer to dry for the amount of time recommended by the manufacturer.  This is usually 5-10 minutes.  Next, remove standing sealer from the grout lines using dry paper towels.
6. Move to the next small section of grout line and apply the sealer.  Allow the sealer to dry for the same amount of time. Remove excess from surrounding tiles with dry paper towels.  Continue until every grout line has been sealed.  Allow the sealer to dry for the full amount of time recommended by the manufacturer.
7. Use the same procedure to apply a second coat of sealer.  Allow the sealer to dry.  Multiple coats of sealer can be applied until you reach the desired coverage.  You know your shower has been sealed adequately when water beads on the surface of the grout, unable to penetrate.
8. Allow the sealer to cure for the full amount of time recommended by the manufacturer before using the shower.

PLEASE NOTE: Water-based sealers dry faster and are safer to use, but solvent-based sealers are more durable and seal longer.

Feel free to stop into Builder Supply Outlet or the Edge Showroom with any home improvement questions you may have regarding tile, grout, sealant, backsplash, windows, kitchen cabinets, bathrooms, remodeling, construction, contractors, designing/installing a new kitchen or bathroom — or anything else.  We can help you through the entire design and installation process from A-Z.  Or call us anytime in Broadview, IL at 1-708-343-3900. You can also make an appointment to meet with one of our Edge Kitchen and Bathroom designers at no charge by clicking here.