Sealing Granite Floor Tile Before Grouting
by jeff
QUESTION:Do I need to seal flamed granite tile flooring before I grout it?ANSWER:Sealing granite floor tile prior to grouting is not necessary.However, depending on the color of the granite and the color of the grout it can be beneficial. First, you should water test the granite to see if it even needs or can absorb a sealer. Despite what you read/hear that "all granite must be sealed" ... it is not true. Many granites are naturally non-absorbent, do not need and in fact, cannot be sealed. Chances are with a flamed surface (non-polished surfaces are more porous) it will take a sealer, but test first. If testing shows it should be sealed, then we recommend using SenGuard or Stone Sentry Sealers. If the granite is light colored and the grout dark, then it may be possible (testing will tell you) that the granite tile edges could absorb the color of the grout changing the granite tile color at the edges. Not a big concern, but possible. Same if a dark granite (although dark granites are typically much less absorbent) and a light grout. Thus, if water testing shows the granite to be very absorbent, sealing granite floor tile may be a good idea prior to grouting. But typically for the most pleasing effect the grout and granite tile color will be very similar and this is not an issue. And typically sealing granite or any type of stone floor tile is done after grouting. Be sure to wait 2-3 weeks after complete installation before sealing granite tile flooring to allow all the water to evaporate. This is very important. You don't want to trap water in a stone floor. Good Luck, Ryan P.S. Get all the facts, answers, explanations and simple solutions with step-by-step instructions for any issue, problem or question with our Granite & Marble Maintenance Manuals. |
