The first category of grout sealant is topical sealers. The way these sealers work is that they form a membrane on top of the grout that resists water and other materials that might stain your grout. They usually have a glossy finish that some people do not like and they need to be reapplied often because they wear off. This variety of grout sealer is better for floors because the water in your shower will eventually find its way under the sealant and get trapped. If the grout is never able to dry, then mold and mildew can become a real problem. In addition, you could see your grout start to rot away.

Penetrating sealers are better for showers and wet environments. Typically small pieces of silicone or latex are dissolved in a liquid base such as water or mineral spirits. The liquid works its way down into the porous grout. As the liquid evaporates the solid pieces are left behind and fill all the empty porous sections of the grout forming a barrier. Since those porous holes are no longer there, dirt and liquids that can cause stains cannot work their way down into the grout. When you apply this sealer, the grout often look slightly darker than it did before application. Therefore, if you are using a penetrating sealant of colored grout, you should test it first to make sure it will not negatively affect our aesthetic. Penetrating sealers do last much longer than topical sealers, but you should still reapply every two years or so. Another helpful tip is that when you are applying penetrating sealers, make sure that you wipe off any extra that finds its way onto the tiles because once it dries it is almost impossible to get off. If there is grout sealer on your tile, no grout cleaning tips will help you get it off.

Tile grout gets dirty because it is a porous substance that traps dirt and attracts growing things like mold and mildew. Keeping your grout clean can be a very time consuming activity, unless you take some precautions to prevent it from getting dirty in the first place. Short of not using the room where there is grout, there are a few ways to minimize the devastation of your grout and avoid constant grout cleaning.

First, you can avoid the conditions that foster the growth of mold and mildew. They like to grow in warm and damp places. After you use your shower or sink, make sure that you take a towel and wipe them dry. Also, try to avoid shutting the shower curtain or shower door all the time. Letting the air flow through the entire room will eliminate hot pockets of mildew activity. Another thing that you can do that is more passive is seal your grout.

Gout sealant comes in two varieties. First, there is topical grout sealant. As the name implies, these sealers are applied on top of the grout like a kind of coating. They work by repelling water and stains. Topical sealant products wear off over time and should be reapplied every two years. You will find that your grout needs more attention as your sealant comes to the end of its life cycle. The second type of grout sealant is called a penetrating sealant. These protecting fluids chemically attach themselves to the grout and end up protecting from within. These sealants last for a very long time and do not need to be reapplied as often. They are especially suited for areas that come into contact with a lot of water like the shower or bathtub.

Since grout sealant is such a great line of defense against stains and mildew, you would think it would be standard on every tile installation. However, that is not the case. Sealant cannot be applied until approximately thirty days after the grout is installed. That means that the professionals who install your tile are long gone by the time you need to apply the sealant. You will need to take care of this chore yourself. There is one very important tip to remember about grout sealant. Only apply t to clean grout. If you apply your sealant while the grout is dirty then you will never be able to get it clean.

Many installers do not seal grout because you have to wait at least 30 days after installation to do so. As a result, unfortunately many homeowners never realize they have not sealed their grout until it is too late. If you are in doubt then I would suggest sealing your grout soon. There are two types of sealant commonly used. The first is a penetrating sealer that chemically attaches itself to the grout to repel water. The second is a topical sealer that coats the surface of the grout and repels stains and water. There are pros and cons to both.

The topical sealer will eventually wear off and need to be reapplied. Application is usually needed once every two years. This option sometimes leaves a plastic appearance to the grout and should not be used in areas that get extremely wet like showers. The main benefit of this type of sealant is that it is less expensive and easy to apply. Obviously, the penetrating sealers will be more expensive and last longer. They are more appropriate for wet environments like a tub or shower. Whichever type you choose make sure that you allow at least 24 hours for the sealant to dry before walking on or using the tiled area.

Even if you keep your grout clean and use sealant, it may be necessary to repair your tile grout at some point. You will know it is time for repair when the grout has started to crack or tile has started to come loose. I would recommend that you hire a professional to do it, but if you are feeling confident about your home improvement skills then you can try to do it yourself. The project usually means re-grouting the worn or cracked areas and then sealing them. The new grout will need at least 48 hours to harden before sealing. Making the grout look even and not ruing your tile can be tricky so that is why I strongly recommend professional help.