[bonrich]

We are building a new home in Sanibel closing in February. We were told by the village designer that all the tile grout in the home, foyer, laundry, kitchen, bathrooms and showers, is not sealed by the installers. I was surprised that sealing the grout was not a part of the install, since it is standard practice here in the North, . I thought I would do it myself but just moving in and setting up a new household is busy enough. Does anyone have a recommendation of who to call to come in to do the work?
So much to do.........

[mulligan]

Wait a year. Sealing voids the warranty.

[redwitch]

Mulligan beat me to it. When the year is up, you can do it yourself. It's not that hard. Just get the sealant at Home Depot or Lowe's and spread it on. If you don't want to do it, E&G does a good job.

[bonrich]

Thank you for getting back to me so quickly. That's what I like about the TOTV! So now the question is the warranty. Warranty on the tiling or on the grout?

Secondly, I thought by waiting a year that would mean more cleaning of the grout and the potential of spilling something that stains on it. Also in the showers, won't that potentially stain the grout on the tile floor with water and soap if it isn't sealed?
Thanks once again!!

[Happinow]

Bonrich, I also am building in Sanibel and sealing the tile throughout was on the top of my list. I agree that dirt may build up before sealing and then we would have a lot of work to clean it. I'm thinking......will anything happen to the tile in that year for us to use the warranty? Other than a crack in the grout, I haven't heard much about problems with tile. May go ahead and seal anyway and if the tile or grout cracks, have someone come in at my expense and fix it. It can't be that expensive to fix. Just a thought.

[mulligan]

I think I would also roll the dice in that direction.

[redwitch]

From my understanding, it voids the warranty on both the grout and the tile. Before you decide, get a golf ball and bounce it on every tile. You're bound to hear one or two dead spots but shouldn't hear too many. Warranty department will not replace the dead ones but you are at risk for them to crack sooner than later. They will replace cracked ones in the first year but not if you've sealed the grout. At least you'll be better able to make an informed decision.

BTW -- Easy way to clean grout -- get a good grout cleaner (Lowe's has one in a blue bottle, can't remember the name of it, sorry) and a Magic Eraser. Spray the cleaner, wipe it off, use the Eraser to finish clean up. Grout looks good as new and I've yet to find a stain it doesn't get out (including a berry stain left on for over 2 weeks by renters).

[Paperboy]

Closed on our home in St. James on 11/18 & we noticed some cracks in the grout. Call warranty dept. & tile man came out to repair. He said we should SEAL THE TILE; there is NO WAY he could tell in a few months that the tile was sealed (to void warranty)!!!! He recommended a product in a spray can (yellow can) to use from Lowe's. Took wifey about 25 min. to do foyer, 2 baths & kitchen.
NEW TILE ALWAYS have grout cracks, so INSPECT them closely when U move in.

[Happinow]

Can you put this sealer on with a sponge mop or do you have to get on your hands and knees. The thought of applying it on my hands and knees....Oh my aching back. Also, would the same sealer work on the shower tiles?

[Happinow]

Originally Posted by Steve's Onsite Services

The reason why a lot of people don't seal the tiles is because it takes 48 hours for the grout to cure. Use a latex sealer. Check the directions on the container. Generally, you wipe the product on with a sponge or rag, allow it to soak in for a minute or two, and wipe the excess from the surface with a damp rag or paper towels. Allow the shower to dry overnight before you use it.

Thanks....

[SALYBOW]

Originally Posted by Happinow

Bonrich, I also am building in Sanibel and sealing the tile throughout was on the top of my list. I agree that dirt may build up before sealing and then we would have a lot of work to clean it. I'm thinking......will anything happen to the tile in that year for us to use the warranty? Other than a crack in the grout, I haven't heard much about problems with tile. May go ahead and seal anyway and if the tile or grout cracks, have someone come in at my expense and fix it. It can't be that expensive to fix. Just a thought.

We sealed our grout throughout the house. When we got cracks in the grout all through the laundry room and kitchen they regrouted it with no complaints.

[cherylncliff]

We have tile throughout the house except bedrooms. Before we moved in, we bought a product at Home Depot (not the most expensive and not the cheapest but the one in the middle). It was silicon based. We applied it with a sponge mop over the entire tile and grout and ten a second coat over the grout. Lot's of elbow grease and several hours. In the process, we noted several grout lines that were not quite right. No problem getting them repaired under warranty.

[Mikitv]

I asked my Builder at closing if my warranty would be voided if I sealed my grout. He said no. I did have grout crack replaced during one year warranty period. The only thing they couldn't do was match the color of the grout so the guy who sealed it for me came back, sealed the new grout and matched the color we had used.

[Graytop]

Originally Posted by redwitch

From my understanding, it voids the warranty on both the grout and the tile. Before you decide, get a golf ball and bounce it on every tile. You're bound to hear one or two dead spots but shouldn't hear too many. Warranty department will not replace the dead ones but you are at risk for them to crack sooner than later. They will replace cracked ones in the first year but not if you've sealed the grout. At least you'll be better able to make an informed decision.

BTW -- Easy way to clean grout -- get a good grout cleaner (Lowe's has one in a blue bottle, can't remember the name of it, sorry) and a Magic Eraser. Spray the cleaner, wipe it off, use the Eraser to finish clean up. Grout looks good as new and I've yet to find a stain it doesn't get out (including a berry stain left on for over 2 weeks by renters).

Sir, I don't know,....what is a Magic Eraser?

[rockyisle]

We bought a pre-owned home and had the tile cleaned and sealed by Dirty Grout Be Gone. They did a fabulous job. Each grout line was hand sealed. Definitely not something I would have done. They steam cleaned the tile and grout before sealing the grout. Now I only have to use water and a micro fiber mop to keep it clean....
Happy Homeowner