Should Porcelain be sealed

[dlmurray]

Hi All - This is just the forum I was looking for - Hope you can advise....

I am new to this, and layed my first tiles last week. They are Glazed Porcelain Dust Pressed floor tiles (cream in colour)

I began grouting a couple of them with 'cocoa' coloured grout - but as soon as I attempted to clean-off the excess, the tiles were stained brown and I had real problems getting back to 'normal'.

I researched whether I should seal them beforehand, but all advice suggested that Glazed tiles did not require sealing.

Is this true? Is it normal for brown grout to stain?

Any advice on how I should proceed would be fantastic.

Let me know, Lee

[GazTech]

Hi Lee, glazed porcelain should not need sealing. Brown and black grout pigment can be stubborn to remove. You can use various products to clean up the tiles and in future, this sealant helps to protect the tiles whilst grouted......Gaz
BAL Protective Sealer
A water-based polymer emulsion specifically formulated to provide a temporary, protective coating to ceramic tile/mosaic surfaces during the grouting process. Suitable for use with all BAL grouting products.
BAL PROTECTIVE SEALER is a water dispersible temporary sealer designed to protect the tile surface against discolouration which may arise when using pigmented grouts. It is not a permanent sealer.

[Dave]

Some of these glazed porcelain tiles have small pitted areas in the surface..this is where the grout holds into and is hard to remove....leaving the grout too long can make it harder to clean up but the protective sealer gaz mentions does make it easier with this type of tile....

[brian c]

Are the tiles definitely glazed and not polished?If you find that they are polished then during the polishing process,the tile will become a little porus.

Where did you buy the tiles from?

[Dave]

Are the tiles definately glazed and not polished?If you find that they are polished then during the polishing process,the tile will become a little porus.

Where did you buy the tiles from?

Not at all bri........ the polishing opens up microscopic pores and this is where the crap gets locked into......

porcelain tiles are usually less than 3% porous.....

[brian c]

I know i have defo had trouble with the b and q polished porcelain with staining when grouting and laying but i do know what you are saying Dave

[Dave]

...................

[whitebeam]

Hi Lee, glazed porcelain should not need sealing. Brown and black grout pigment can be stubborn to remove. You can use various products to clean up the tiles and in future, this sealant helps to protect the tiles whilst grouted......Gaz
BAL Protective Sealer
A water-based polymer emulsion specifically formulated to provide a temporary, protective coating to ceramic tile/mosaic surfaces during the grouting process. Suitable for use with all BAL grouting products.
BAL PROTECTIVE SEALER is a water dispersible temporary sealer designed to protect the tile surface against discolouration which may arise when using pigmented grouts. It is not a permanent sealer.

How would you remove this then Gaz once the tiles are grouted, I've never used before.

[GazTech]

It dissolves after you wash down mate...

[Dave]

Clean water as you wash the grout off..

[Dave]

oooooooops..snap bruv......

[GazTech]

LOL....managed to beat you to one.....

[grumpygrouter]

Not at all bri........ the polishing opens up microscopic pores and this is where the crap gets locked into......

porcelain tiles are usually less than 3% porous.....

I always thought porcelain was 0.5% Dave?

[Dave]

I always thought porcelain was 0.5% Dave?

Most porcelain is usually about 0.5% .....but there is the odd exception... upto 3%

some peeps do though mistake porcelenato for through bodied porcelain...

Porcelanato is not the same colour all the way through its body and thru bodied porcelain is just that, the same colour all the way through to the back...

But as you say russ it is usually 0.5%....

[dlmurray]

Got the tiles from B&Q - They say 'glazed' on the packet. They are not highly polished, more like a dull surface. I think this is why the grout it staining so much...

I went to Topps Tiles, and they sold me Polished Porcelain Impregnator Sealer (Yellow Can)

Should I use this first, then grout? What will happen if I seal 'glazed' tiles?

[Dave]

You can't seal glazed tiles with impregnator......go to CTD and get the protective sealer that gaz mentioned.....if the grout holds into imperfections in the glaze or you could try and wash the grout off as you go.....

Another bit of great advice from topps tiles......

[dlmurray]

Tried to wash off within a minute of grouting, but it stained right away.

So then, this BAL protective sealer - basically I paint the tiles in it, do the grouting, and then wash off. Is this the idea?

Once grouted and cleaned, should I then seal the grout with something?

[GazTech]

Tried to wash off within a minute of grouting, but it stained right away.

So then, this BAL protective sealer - basically I paint the tiles in it, do the grouting, and then wash off. Is this the idea?

Once grouted and cleaned, should I then seal the grout with something?

Yes you are right about the BAL sealer, you can use a grout protector after grouting has cured if you like, that would be your customers choice. Have a look at the data sheet for the sealer.....Gaz

[Dave]

This could also be wrong info regarding the glazed tiles wording on the box depending on country of origin....can you see who makes them and maybe a pic of the tile etc......

we don't want you going ahead till we are sure what you have...

[dlmurray]

Hi Guys...

OK - they don't have a make on as such - but they state they are from:

Portobello SA
Brazil
Class A

Code is BMON1A

Just nipped to B&Q, interesting to see that their display tiles were heavily stained around the joints! Looked at their other tiles and they all seem ok...

Makes me wonder if they are actually 'glazed' with anything??

Help....

[GazTech]

Hi Guys...

OK - they don't have a make on as such - but they state they are from:

Portobello SA
Brazil
Class A

Code is BMON1A

Just nipped to B&Q, interesting to see that their display tiles were heavily stained around the joints! Looked at their other tiles and they all seem ok...

Makes me wonder if they are actually 'glazed' with anything??

Help....

Can you purchase 1 and photograph the thing for us...including its edge....ta

[dlmurray]

I'll take a picture of the ones I've already laid (don't laugh at the quality of the job!)

[GazTech]

I'll take a picture of the ones I've already laid (don't laugh at the quality of the job!)

lol I won't promise

[brian c]

As i thought mate ,not meaning to be rude but the tiles are probably not the best ,so stick to Dave and Gaz's advice as they are top blokes and ultimate pros....Bri

[Dave]

As i thought mate ,not meaning to be rude but the tiles are probably not the best ,so stick to Dave and Gaz's advice as they are top blokes and ultimate pros....Bri

your'e still not getting a bonus..........

[dlmurray]

Ok Guys

Here are the attached images....

[Ger]

Nice photos Lee

Tiles look a little rough?

Ger

[GazTech]

Glazed porcelain for sure, no need to seal them...but with having a riven / rough textured surface, protection from the stubborn pigments in your brown grout would be handy . I stand by my earlier recommend Lee, Bal protective sealer or equivalent........Gaz

[dlmurray]

Thanks guys.

I'll use the BAL protective sealer. After I've grouted, should I then use something to seal grout?

[GazTech]

If your in no rush, just wait for Dave to confirm the tile later, and regards sealing the grout ? is there a problem or are you just being cautious ?