Sealing pollished Porcelain

[tileman]

Hi, I haven't fixed these tiles before and didn't realise I need to seal them, is the sealing done before fixing as in natural stone or after, is it to prevent staining after fixing.
What is the best method.
john

[TilingLogistics]

Originally Posted by tileman

Hi, I haven't fixed these tiles before and didn't realise I need to seal them, is the sealing done before fixing as in natural stone or after, is it to prevent staining after fixing.
What is the best method.
john

Hi John,

Not all porcelain automatically requires sealing. The best thing is to test it by putting some water on a tile for 30 mins or so then once you wipe it off and you are left with a damp patch they need sealing if you can't see a patch they don't!

If they do need sealing work clean whilst fixing and seal afterwards

Kev

[Fekin]

In general with polished porcelain I would fit the tiles, then seal them, then grout, but always follow the instructions with the tiles if there is any.

Yes, sealing them is to help stop staining after being laid.

Also the amount of coats they require all comes down to the impreganator sealer you use as some only need the one coat like Fila what I use and some others say to do 2 or 3 coats.

Glazed porcelain does not need sealing as the glaze acts as the barrier, but polished porcelain has microscopic pores that get opened up through the process of them being polished, and these pores can hold dirt and grime over time and cause the tile to start dulling, loosing the polished look, so that's why you should seal them, but always follow instructions if any come with the tile as I would only ever not seal polished porcelain if the instructions stated they do not need sealing.