QUESTION

Should I seal the Grout or Not? - We live in a newer development near Phoenix. Most, if not all, homes have ceramic tile floors. There is a difference of opinion on whether to seal the grout. Some residents maintain that sealing the grout prevents the grout from "breathing" and shoud NOT be done. Others say it is very important to apply the correct sealer to keep dirt and staining out. Which is right?

ANSWER

ANSWER - There are different types of sealers.  Some sealers are breathable and others are not.  The most common type of sealer used today for sealing grout and the adjacent tiles, whether glazed or unglazed, is a penetrating breathable sealer.

Sealing the grout helps keep moisture out, helps prevent staining of the grout, and helps make it easier to clean the grout.  Trapping moisture in the cementitious grout isn't normally a problem because cement gets harder over time when subjected to moisture.

For a list of sealer manufacturers with links to their websites, go to our website at www.CTaSC.com and go to the Cleaners and Sealers link in Resources under Expert Answers.  Good Luck.