Which is best LTP mattstone sealer or FILA ?

[garybadger]

Here's a question for you. I tiled a travertine floor a couple of years ago and was supplied with lithofin stain stop and mapei jasmine grout by the customer, and was told to seal before and after grouting the tiles. Now the grout started peeling away from the edges of the tile but was still stuck soundly to the floor with the tiles. However the Mapei rep that was contacted by the customer was told that you shouldn't seal the travertine before grouting as the sealer slips down over the edge of the tile and stops the grout from sticking properly to the edge and therefore wont make it properly water tight! Ever since then I always make sure I double check with both technical and the tile shops that supply the tiles, what's the best way to go about sealing their natural stone!

 

[Gazzer]

I dont like sealing before grouting for the above reason. If I have to seal before then I dont go overboard with the sealer. I soak a clean cloth and wipe that lightly over the stone.

 

[DHTiling]

Some stones are ok to grout beforehand but this is by experienced stone installers.. A light coat of sealer will help prevent grout suction/drying out as you grout but as above i grout travertine's first.. You do right by asking first though..

 

[timlee77]

So im using fume tumbled marble tiles you can veiw them on Marble tiles leicestershire: Stunning in any light im being told to seal before and after? any thoughts also how many litres would i need of the mattsone to twice seal 80m2?

 

[Marble Life Ltd]

Here's a question for you. I tiled a travertine floor a couple of years ago and was supplied with lithofin stain stop and mapei jasmine grout by the customer, and was told to seal before and after grouting the tiles. Now the grout started peeling away from the edges of the tile but was still stuck soundly to the floor with the tiles. However the Mapei rep that was contacted by the customer was told that you shouldn't seal the travertine before grouting as the sealer slips down over the edge of the tile and stops the grout from sticking properly to the edge and therefore wont make it properly water tight! Ever since then I always make sure I double check with both technical and the tile shops that supply the tiles, what's the best way to go about sealing their natural stone!

There is nothig wrong with this sealing process even if you want to seal the sides it's OK provided you use a goood quality impregnating sealer and you allow to penetrate and clean off correctly it will not affect grout adhesion. Check with which technical? The Tile, Adhesive, Grout or Sealant Company???

Kevin

 

[Marble Life Ltd]

So im using fume tumbled marble tiles you can veiw them on Marble tiles leicestershire: Stunning in any light im being told to seal before and after? any thoughts also how many litres would i need of the mattsone to twice seal 80m2?

It is always safer to seal Natural Stone prior to fixing and or grouting unless you are experienced and convinced in your ability to work clean. Sometimes it can work in your favour as well even if you are experienced. The customer can mess up as well! I had a lady spilt chicken fat all over a white limestone I was laying one evening and denied it was her the next morning when i got there. I must have liked th job that much I probably creptback in there one night and cooked a chicken

Kevin

 

[Gustyturbine]

To confirm then guys the best option with trav is to use a cloth or sponge that is not dripping with sealer and seal the top of the tile only? I am half way through laying my trav and will need to seal soon. LTP MAttstone or Lithofin are fine then. I will seal once before grouting and once after. Should this be fine? Thanks very much,
Gusty.

 

[Theo3000]

Hi there, thought I'd leave my 2 cents here, too, after I used a lot of advise from forums like this which massively helped me through our reno works:

I redid our bathroom and fireplace with beautiful, thick, handmade encaustic cement tiles (pigment cover) and used Fila products throughout as recommended (Bert & May). Terrible choice I must say! The pregrout treatment didn't work at all - even after 3 layers (dark grout) and left our fireplace with horrible smeary dirt stains. The sealer on the walls in the bathroom worked fine. On the floor, however, the light-coloured tiles were more porous and even after 6 whopping layers of sealer and weeks of work and drying time, they did not pearl off the water. Cosmetics, soap etc quickly leave stains on light stone so it's essential they are sealed well, especially in a wet room.

We switched to LTP Mattstone Impregnating sealer (interior + exterior use) and the result was instantly perfect. Fila gets good reviews, for us it didn't work at all. I cannot stress enough to buy a small bottle and try these things out. 30 quid if you're redoing an entire bathroom are quickly forgotten if the result is perfect.

Good luck for all you renovators out there!