tumbled marble mini-bricks (when to grout?)

18 years ago

Hello,

We are installing our tumbled marble backsplash this weekend (posted this on kitchen site, too, but was advised that this might be a better place). The can of enhancer says that a new install should cure for 4 - 5 days before applying the enhancer/sealer. It doesn't mention the grout, however.

Could someone out there please let me know if we are supposed grout before or after the enhancer/sealer?

If I had only my logic to rely upon, I'd say we should grout it after we enhance it so that the sealer could prevent the stones from absorbing the moisture from the grout. The installer (not his day job) says we should enhance & seal after the grout goes in so that the grout gets sealed, too. Now, I'm wondering if we should do the first coat before the grout and the second coat after the grout...... just to make everybody happy.

TIA!

Sandra

PS: How do you make text bold or italicized?

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starfish24

18 years ago

uh oh. Thank you for the info and warning!

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Comments (8)

bill_vincent
18 years ago
Being that this is a DIY, I'd agree-- enhance it before you grout. As for allowing the 4-5 days, that refers to sealing AFTER grouting. If you're just sealing the stone, you should be able to do so within 24- 36 hours.

As for bold or italics, for bold you put the letter "b" in a pair of these- just before what you want to appear in bold print, and then "/b" in another pair of these , and when you post, it'll show bold.

For italics, the same thing, but with the letter "i".
kevin1727
18 years ago
For tumbled marble I recommend sealing the tile very well before grouting. The tumbled marble is porous and if the grout is a contrasting color it will affect the appearance of the tile unless the tile is sealed well.
I went through this in my kitchen remodel with a tumbled marble backsplash.

Here is a link that might be useful:
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vicnsb
18 years ago
kevin...beautiful backsplash!

I am looking at a travertine tumbled mosaic tile liner...does the same apply? BTW it is not DIY.
bill_vincent
18 years ago
If it's not DIY, then let the installer decide. Personally, I prefer to grout before sealing. Others prefer to seal first.
starfish24
18 years ago
Thank you for all the info -- a few related questions: Is the same type of sealant (impregnator or enhancer/impregnator) used whether the installer grouts before or after sealing? Or, if one seals with impregnator first, then grouts, do you later seal with something different (a topcoat? a grout sealer?)? And are you then sealing just the grout or everything? Is there any difference in any of this if you use an epoxy grout? Is it very tricky to grout before sealing at all? This is not a DIY, but not sure how much experience the installer has with marble. TIA.
vicnsb
18 years ago
Thanks bill.
vic
bill_vincent
18 years ago
Is the same type of sealant (impregnator or enhancer/impregnator) used whether the installer grouts before or after sealing?

Yes. It doesn't matter, either way.

Or, if one seals with impregnator first, then grouts, do you later seal with something different (a topcoat? a grout sealer?)?

It depends. If you want to darken the stone, but leave the grout its natural dry color, use the enhancer first, and then after grouting, seal with a standard penetrating sealer. If you want to also darken the grout, then use the enhancer afterward as well as before.

Is there any difference in any of this if you use an epoxy grout?

A WHOLE LOT of difference!! Epoxy grout needn't be, and CAN NOT be, sealed. Put a sealer on epoxy grout, and it'll turn a nice chalky white and will be a nightmare to remove.

This is not a DIY, but not sure how much experience the installer has with marble.

If that's the case, then you're ASKING for trouble. Might be time to find an installer who you feel comfortable with his experience level in stone!!