Sealing Porcelain Mosaics

[jgw1]

When I had my 600mmx600mm black porcelain tiles the advice I had was to seal them. I am about to put up some porcelain mosaics.

Do these need sealing like the floor tiles? Will I have a problem wiping off the adhesive/grout if I do not?

[Aspect Tiling]

If they're polished porcelain they will need sealing.

[jgw1]

That's the difference thanks, the floor were polished but the mosaics aren't - thanks.

[Dave]

Not as easy as that.. some through bodied porcelain needs sealing.. but if they are glazed then no they do not..

[jgw1]

hmmm can I tell if they are glazed?

I am buying from a pretty good tile shop in East Sheen/Mortlake in London. They said that I didn't have to seal them - then again they said that I did not have to seal the polished porcelain tiles (the wife of the tiler who staffs the shop - you guys told me to seal - so I sealed )

[Dave]

Are they the same colour on the back as the front..? and what finish are they..?

[jgw1]

They are a matt flecked grey. The back is the same colour as the front and the sides.

[Alberta Stone]

Unglazed porcelain will still allow some water transmission, a very small percentage.
But it is a good idea to use a very good sealer.
Most water based sealers just form a thick skin on the surface and do not penetrate into the surface, so you need to do some research to find the best penetrator.
DuPont makes some good ones that are so effective often you cannot put on a second coat as it prevents absorption of more sealer, like this one: BulletProof® Sealer - DuPont? StoneTech® Professional
But it is for stone, however they ought to have one for porc as well

[Dave]

well they could be a through bodied one and IMO needs sealing( penetrating sealer for vitrified tiles).. but without actually seeing them then it is hard to see if your are right..

[jgw1]

I have a bottle of lithofin FZ Protective Impregnator W for porcelain tiles that I used fro my black polished porcelain floor tiles. That should work if I need to seal them.

How do I tell if they are glazed? Is there a way to tell? If not I'll ask the retailer but not sure they will know of the top of their heads.

[jgw1]

I'll post a pic tomorrow Dave.

ps just seen your website - great stuff - quality tiling that as a DiYer I can only aspire to. If I ever own a pool I'll happily pay for you to come and tile it.

[Dave]

Find the name of the tiles.. then we can check for you.


p.s thanks for the comments.

[jgw1]

OK will do - it'll be tomorrow though as that's when I am picking them up!

[Dave]

No probs..

[jgw1]

OK the tiles are Sahara Tobacco mosaics imported by the company spacers.co.uk.

[Dave]

I cannot find them via google..any pics..

[jgw1]

Hmm box says Max Novacassa

Colour: Palo

The blurb on the box says colour variation may occur in naturally fired clay products...and that I should carefully check ceramic tiles before layinh.

Not sure if that is there generic blurb or specific to this tile.. pics coming

[jgw1]

IMG_20110115_174108.jpgIMG_20110115_174031.jpgHere are the pics

[Dave]

They are glazed and are ok to proceed without sealing..

[jgw1]

Great, thanks Dave.

So are they porcelain as told or are they ceramic?

[Dave]

They are pocelenato type biscuit, vitrified but not through bodied ..