New Tile Inst. w/Grout Boost, still soaks water?

Hi Jaz,

Found some Professional's Choice by Miracle Miracle Sealants Company. It's called the 511 Impregnator Sealer. There were two different bottles of the same stuff, one cost about $10. more, thinking maybe I should have bought it, drying time was 4-6 hours vs. the one I bought 24-72 hours.

Is this the one you mentioned? Found it at HD yesterday. Thinking I'll exchange for the quicker drying one.

Hope to hear from you as soon as you are able. Your time is very much appreciated!

Ziggy

Found some Professional's Choice by Miracle Miracle Sealants Company. It's called the 511 Impregnator Sealer.

Is this the one you mentioned?

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No, Ziggy. I did not write Professional's Choice. I like and use Impregnator 511, but it's not on the list. Since you're at the orange place, may as well just buy AquaMix Sealer's Choice or TileLab Penetrating in the green bottle, avoid the yellow cheapo stuff.

Jaz

Grout Sealer

Hi Jaz,

Once again, thank you. Returned first bottle, bought the AquaMix Sealer's Choice as per your post. Looks like the drying time is much more acceptable with this one. Very much appreciate your suggestions.

Are you expecting this sealer to make your grout waterproof?

In my understanding, this is not the purpose of sealers and you may be disappointed.

I'm not familiar with any of these products, but I would recommend you read any labels carefully to make sure they are going to do what you want them to.

Hi Blondesense,

Yes, I guess I was otherwise I think not doing so would sort of defeat the purpose as well as not absorbing stains. And thanks for the suggestion, you can be assured we are reading the labels.

Appreciate your input!:wink:

Ziggy,

Blonde brought up a good point about sealers and what they do. Most people have the wrong conception.

Grout sealer is not gonna prevent water or stains from getting into the grout, it just slows it down. Sealers have to be breathable, otherwise if too much moisture gets in the grout from a non protected spot or crack, could not escape which would cause big problems. Kinda like old oil-base paint on exteriors which will peel if the same thing happens. Some sealers would peel, others might turn a cloudy white colors.

Sealer as you probably know is for easier maintenance, not waterproofing. You still need to wipe spills asap.

Jaz

Thank you both for bringing that to our attention. I think I understand better and do appreciate you making it more clear.

Another question, sealer was used when we had our first tile floors laid about 3 years ago. It was recommended then that we re-apply the sealer every 2-3 years, is this normal?


Thanks Jaz and Blondesense.

Reapplication recommended?

Please see above. Thanks!

Sealers can last up to 15 years, even longer. All depends on the quality and the maintenance used. Some reseal as you say, others do it once when new and never again. Kinda like waxing a car. Every 2-5 years sounds fine.

The secret is to clean it properly and rinse well. Note; washing with a mop while standing is no way to clean a floor. Do a heavy cleaning a couple times per year, and a thorough cleaning every 1-2 years.

Jaz

Thank you Jaz, your post is very informative.

Can you tell me when you talk of heavy cleaning what methods are best suggested as well as recommendations every 1 -2 years for a thorough cleaning?

Also, for weekly maintenance, I am assuming a good sweep and dry mop are okay, might I ask your opinion?

Appreciate all the help!

Ziggy

Routine cleaning depends on how dirty your house gets and your expectations.

If you go shoeless and live in a paved area, you are on one schedule, if you track in lots of dirt and have a large family and pets, different story.

Generally most people should sweep or swifter daily, (I said should). Mop about once a week or maybe 2 weeks. Clean spills 30 seconds after they happen. The type and color of the tiles matters.

Use the correct type of detergent, never oil based cleaners like Murphy's. Never ever use dishwashing detergent. If the floor is dirty or if you use a regular cleaner, (Mr. Clean, Top Job, PineSol), you should rinse after cleaning. (Does anyone do that?) Change the water often.

Heavy cleaning, kinda same a above except maybe use a brush too with special attention to the corners. A thorough might involve acidic tile & grout cleaners.

Jaz

Thanks for the excellent advice Jaz. What about clorox or amonia diluted with water to dry mop? Is that a NO-NO? Wondering if maybe those could affect the grout color?

Thinking just good HOT water dry mopped might be my continued best choice. Our tiles are porcelain & ceramic that have been finished so they are not absorbent when it comes to wiping their surface down.

Thanks for all your help!:thumbup:

No dry mop, but wrung well. If dirty, use two pails and two mops, one to wash, one to rinse. No bleach. Ammonia is fine especially to cut grease after lots of frying.

I'm not a fan of using mops though. With a mop you move the dirty water from here and put it there. The last stroke should be towards you so the dirty water can then rinsed. Best to wash floors like Cinderella, hands and knees. Maybe consider one of those steam machines?

Jaz

Ha! Ha! Been there, done that, the 'Cinderella method,' kind of hard on the knees but gets the job done only now the job has gotten a lot bigger!

Agree, hands & knees & maybe a steam machine in my future!

Thanks for the advice Jaz.