Polished Porcelain tiles. Do you seal?

[g.wass]

Polished Porcelain tiles. Do you seal front and back before laying. On box just says seal before laying . Also got to lay over old Ceramic tiles. No chance of the ceramics comming up. What is best adhesive and do I prime ceramics?

[MarbleMaster]

As far as sealing the tiles go I would adhere to the box instructions and seal. If we are asked to seal tiles we dip them meaning seal both sides.

Dont scrimp on this in case you have an adhesive or grout bleed thru the back and joints.

ED

[nellyb]

Depends. If they're the crap chinese ones yes. If they're proper ones (usually italian) then no.

[beanz]

If they're proper ones (usually italian) then no.

You wouldn't seal these at all?

Interested in the 'sealing both sides' bit, as i've never heard of this?

[MarbleMaster]

You wouldn't seal these at all?

Interested in the 'sealing both sides' bit, as i've never heard of this?

This is why as restorers we get so much work from unsealed tiles. In other european countries such as Portugal, Spain and Italy they frown upon sealants and go crazy when you mention it. But I guess we must have loads of spillages because people insist of it in the UK.

The problem is when you dont seal the tiles and they have a spillage, who's thought do you think it is then?

Nearly every time the Tiler is blamed, believe me we get hundreds of calls a week and the finger is always pionted.

Ed

[TilingLogistics]

The easy answer is to do a test to see if the tile requires sealing first. This also shows the client the way they will look after sealing and will highlight any problems you may have early on

Kev

[CJ]

Work clean and then seal before grouting.

[kilty55]

can a grout bleed through a porcelain tile?