Sealing grout in a porcelain tilesd kitchen floor

[Cedere]

Advice please. I tiled a client's kitchen floor 6 months ago. A porcelain tike floor. I used a good quality grout for messy areas (cooking etc... area). I came to understand the client to be let's say on the obsessive side of cleanliness.

I had a text from him yesterday saying that the grout was dirty. I didn't seal it, it's true, but then I didn't see the need, given the type of grout I used.

Probably a big lesson for me and I'm very willing to learn from it. Should I have sealed it? And for those of you who have sealed grout on a porcelain tile floor, how do you lay it on without it then drying on the tile/cleaning it off without removing it from the grout!

I have adviced the client to clean it (I recomended an Aqua-mix product), but have stopped short of telling him to seal it afterwards. Truth is, I am wary of returning, because I doubt I'll be paid and I further doubt that the problem is as bad as it's being painted, given the a/m obsessiveness. I'm not sure he'll ever be happy.

Thanks

 

[White Room]

I've never sealed grout exept when doing natural stone and applying the final coat of impregnator on the tiles and grout. Never been called back on dirty grout have explained to customer that over a time some grouts may slightly darken, Don't do white grout in coal miners shower. I think his obsessive nature dos'nt help

 

[GazTech]

There are products on the market for grout cleaning and sealing...you can give him the option if you like.....Gaz

 

[TilingLogistics]

It is simple IMO. Grout and tiles get dirty! Thats what happens no matter how clean you are.

Whether you had sealed the grout or not it will still get dirty. Sealer is not "Magic in a Bottle". I suggest you make your customer aware of this. Sealer in the case of grout is a penetrative protection barrier that gives the client a reaction time and helps to prevent stains penetrate so quickly and deeply. If it was an all encompassing shield we would all have it on everything.

You need to explain this to your client and then suggest it can be cleaned and sealed and that will help in the future but you must explain there is a charge for the process.

Remember you are running a business not a charity shop

Kev

 

[Spud]

sealing grout is not common practice in the uk as for years we have predominantly used grey grout on floors and this in many respects doesnt show the dirt,it is common practice in the u.s on pretty much most domestic and contract work ,tiling logistics is totally correct when saying that sealants arent magic potions, in my opinion light coloured grouts will discolour on floors whether you have sealed them or not ,i think if they are sealed however, they are a little easier to clean

 

[TilingLogistics]

sealing grout is not common practice in the uk as for years we have predominantly used grey grout on floors and this in many respects doesnt show the dirt,it is common practice in the u.s on pretty much most domestic and contract work ,tiling logistics is totally correct when saying that sealants arent magic potions, in my opinion light coloured grouts will discolour on floors whether you have sealed them or not ,i think if they are sealed however, they are a little easier to clean

Bang On Gary

Kev

 

[Cedere]

Thanks guys, that's pretty much how I felt about it all but needed some confirmation. I'm glad that I learned how obsessive the whole family was about cleanliness when I did the job too. Nice to know I wasn't making a huge balls up. Cheers