Thank you - let me ask the project manager about the grout. How can I learn if the tile is glazed? It's ceramic (not v thrilled w it but again limited choices without $$$$$$$ upgrades).

Ceramic tile is usually sealed with a glaze and a sealer would do nothing for it. With a white grout I would definitely seal it. That's what is usually the problem that you want a sealer for, especially a cement based grout. Epoxy is awesome and you don't need to seal it to keep stains out, however I doubt your builder would do that (it's an upgrade).

Yeah, what Susie said. :)

If you can't get the grout info, poke it with your fingernail. Epoxy is kind of rubbery. Or put a drop of water on it and see if it sits or if it gets absorbed. But it's best to find out what it is for future repairs or whatever. (Same for just about anything in the house--document everything you possibly can.)

Congrats on the house!

Aw thank you! I asked the PM and he said it isn't a pre-sealed grout and to have it sealed. Dumb question but is there a difference between sealing the tile AND grout or sealing just the grout. I know the name of the tile, unsure if it's glazed, I don't know enough. Thanks again.

It's usually the same stuff. Read the instructions of course, but I think you just glop it on and wipe it off and what soaks it up gets sealed and what doesn't doesn't. So you'll seal everything sealable when you do the grout unless you're using a Q-tip. (Don't use a Q-tip.)

The grout manufacturer probably has a recommended sealer.

Hi Fori - are you saying this is something we can do ourselves, and that we definitely should NOT go over the tile with it? Just the grout lines? What about the showers?

Sorry I'm being obtuse, just v overwhelmed currently w the move!

Thank you.

Do it all and it'll only stick where it needs to be (like the top of your tile probably won't absorb much because it probably has a glaze and doesn't need it). But read the instructions and follow them. Showers too. You can do it yourself or have it done. It's not hard. Just stinky. And if you have a lot of tile floors, it could be a pain.

Wow - we are being quoted $1600 to do a about 1500 sf where there is tile. Now I need to look up how to DIY sealing. How long does it take to dry? Thank you again!

I don't believe it will cost you much to upgrade the grout to epoxy. I think it is really worth it. I have white tiles and white epoxy grout (I think Marpei?). A couple things I learned:

-if I didn't have dogs my floors and grout would be pristine (but I love the dogs more than clean grout so I'm stuck)

-I bought a little rubbermaid device (looks like an electric toothbrush) for $20 to clean my grout. The epoxy grout cleans really easy! Occasionaly, if I"m too vigorous, I will lose some grout. But it's very easy to mix and fill in yourself.

-I bought a bona mop and mop my floors regulalry with water (2x a week for common areas). Sometimes I might use a tile cleaning product or steam cleaner, but routinely I just use water and the bona mop. I bought a lot of extra bona cloth pieces (which attach to the bottom of the mop). I throw all of them in the wash when I am done. That way I never run out.

-Do not use dish soap to clean your floors. The soap residue will attract dirt and make your grout dirtier.

-Get some rugs and enjoy the color it adds to the white floors.

I love my white floors. I am forced to clean a lot, but at least I always know when they are dirty. And when they are clean, they are beautiful!

I’ve had ceramic tile since 2004 in my downstairs. Never sealed, and periodically need to put some elbow grease into cleaning the kitchen and bathroom. Most of the rest is still fine with standard care. My grout is not white though.

It’s definitely a DIY-doable project to seal your grout. It dries pretty quickly but does take a while to cure. You should find out what type of grout you have. It will take a while to do 1500 sf of tile, though.

I don't know of any ceramic tile that needs to be sealed as they are usually glazed tiles that will not absorb any water. You can test it by putting a drop of water on top and seeing if it beads up and just stays beaded up on top of the tile. I have to disagree with the previous poster that said to put the sealer on the tile and the grout. If you put sealer on the tile, you will just be wasting product and also potentially leaving streaks if it dries on top of the tile and then you'll have a hard time removing that residue. To apply sealer is pretty easy, you can use a rolling tool, a paintbrush, a bottle with a brush, or other methods. The key is just to fall into sealer manufacturer's directions, and to wait and always apply at least two coats. For cement based grout, you will want at least two coats of the product. There are various sites that tests sealers and opinions very, but bottom line is that you should use a higher quality product as it's worth not having to reapply too frequently, while ensuring the product is effective and you're not just wasting a lot of energy applying a sealer that doesn't work that well.

Do NOT slather it all over everything or it will make a smeary mess that is difficult to clean up. Look for the applictor bottles with a wheel or brush, where you apply the sealer to just the grout. You sit on the floor and brush/roll it on the grout lines, allow to penetrate, and then wipe off. It is a tedious and long process, but not at all difficult to get the hang of doing.