Grout Sealing Timeline


  #1  
Old 05-19-05, 08:45 PM
chipster7
Visiting Guest
Posts: n/a
Grout Sealing Timeline

I just laid about 200 square feet of floor tile and nearly 80 square feet of shower tile, and grouted about 48 to 72 hours after. My question now is, how long should I have waited to grout, and furthermore, how long until I should seal the grout. Thanks in advance.
 
  #2  
Old 05-20-05, 06:54 AM
D
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Canton Ohio
Posts: 1,334
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes on 0 Posts
Ceramic or porcelain?
 
  #3  
Old 05-20-05, 10:00 AM
chipster7
Visiting Guest
Posts: n/a
More Grout Info

I used ceramic on the walls and porcelain on the floors.
 
  #4  
Old 05-20-05, 11:10 AM
D
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Canton Ohio
Posts: 1,334
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes on 0 Posts
28 for the ceramic, 60 days for the porcelain
 
  #5  
Old 05-20-05, 11:13 AM
chipster7
Visiting Guest
Posts: n/a
Continued Question

I guess I don't understand why you needed to know what type of tile it was. The grout on the floor is sanded, and in the shower is unsanded. Why do I need to wait this long?
 
  #6  
Old 05-20-05, 12:47 PM
D
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Canton Ohio
Posts: 1,334
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes on 0 Posts
The thinset beneath the tile also needs time to cure. Porcelain tile being impervious to moisture causes a greater lenght of time for the thinset to cure. Ceramic tile will do the same to a lesser extent. It can take up to 30 days for thinset to completely set up under the middle of the tile. By sealing immediatly it can create soft areas inder the tile. Then there's the possibility of effloressence... I had reasons, the information allowed me to answer your question rather than misinform you.
 
  #7  
Old 05-21-05, 07:40 AM
T
Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 1,083
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes on 0 Posts
Follow the instructions on the sealer or on the bag of grout. The mud bed under the tile or backer on the wall will be more than happy to absorb any moisture out of the letex component of the thinset, the portland will cure with or without the air. Your bottle of sealer will say anywhere from 3 days to a week. 60 days to seal grout? Cement cures to about all of it's strength in 28 days. If you are concerned about a soft spot under a 3x3 or so sized porcelain on a shower floor, then don't wear high heals in the shower for a few weeks if you can resist.
 
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
 
Ask a Question
Question Title:
Description:
Your question will be posted in: