does grout need to be sealed?

noelphobic

I've just had my bathroom retiled and wondered if the grout needs to be sealed?

jcb208

No need to seal but did they use a water proof grout

BertieUK

If it makes you feel more comfortable you could give the grout extra protection by using Fila Grout Protector. This is applied evenly with a small brush to the grout. Leave it overnight before use.

If your tiles are made of stone, travertine or quarry tiles, I used LTP Mattstone H" Impregnating Sealer, this is Low Odur and is Water Based. Applied in a similar way to discussed earlier.

Where your grout is very porus a second coat would be best applied.

I am certainly no expert on this matter and would stand corrected.

All the best

BobUK

Fed_Up_Tradesman

There's no such thing as waterproof grout.

The premixed rubbish that has waterproof on the tin simply means that it will not be destroyed by water and does not mean that it will not allow moisture to penetrate and eventually cause mould or rot your plasterboard substrate.

All grout allows moisture penetration which is why I always advise my customers to opt for the waterproof membrane in showers that I do.

It's up to them of course, if they choose not to, then I simply do not offer a guarantee for my tiling.

Simples.

Oldsoak

As Fed-up says no grout is waterproof except epoxy. If you had a shower put in, it shold be tanked first, then tiled and grouted then the grout sealed with a sealant (either sprayed or brush applied), then a proper warranty can be given (with confidence).
If your installer did not tank it then it is imperative that you seal the grout as you tiles will eventually pop off the then wet plaster/plasterboard that is failing behind it.
I don't want to scare you with this, but if in doubt £20 worth of sealant is worth the peace of mind.
Good luck

tpt

it really depends on why your asking the question. if your considering it to stop your grout getting dirty then yes its a good idea and lots of products are around for this.
If its to stop water ingress then don't bother with sealer, it wont help - this would then raise questions about what your tiles are fixed to, and how it has been prepped.

so.....why are you asking?