Should I Seal Marble Tile Before Grouting Without Doubt?

Sealing marble tiles before grouting is vital if the grout color doesn’t match the marble tile. Otherwise, it will bleed into the stone and stain it. The sealant will provide maximum protection against stains and bacterial growth.  

Many new homeowners often ask this question: Should I seal marble tile before grouting? This article will give you a complete overview of this topic. Keep scrolling! 

Sealing Marble Tile Before Grouting – Necessity or Option

Sealing the marble tile before grouting is necessary if the grout color doesn’t match the marble tile. Otherwise, it will bleed into the stone and stain it. 

To avoid permanent discoloration issues, seal the marble tiles before grouting. Plus, you may see grout haze (residues) on the surface of the tiles once it is fully dry after grouting.

Make sure not to seal the edges of the marble tiles. Otherwise, the grout will not adhere well to the stone surface. 

Sealing stone marbles before and after grouting is necessary if you are using stone marbles. The same goes for non-sanded grout because sanded grouts are more likely to cause circulatory etches scratches. 

One important thing to remember is to haze off all the substances first to seal the grout after grouting.

How to Seal Marble Tile Before Grouting? 

Marble tiles are natural stones. They have a porous surface. Before adding any grouts, sealing the tiles is necessary to provide maximum protection against stains and bacterial growth. 

You won’t have to worry about stains, dirt, de-icing salt damage, and spills. A non-film-forming sealer is a better choice for marble tiles to create an invisible layer of protection.

The guideline below will walk you through how to seal marble tiles before grouting. 

Step: 01— Clean The Marble Tiles 

The first important task is cleaning the marble tiles appropriately. It doesn’t matter whether you have Travertine, Crema Marfil, Statuario, Verde Oasis, or Calacatta Gold marble tiles.

Cleaning the tiles before grouting will ensure a proper setup of grouts. You can use LTP Grimex to remove oil, grease, ingrained dirt, stains, and grime. 

Grab an old toothbrush or a soft-bristled brush and dip it into the cleaning product. Gently scrub the grout lines. 

Use a fresh rag to wipe away all dirt and dust from the marble surface. Also, don’t ignore corners, edges, and difficult-to-reach spots too. 

If there are any tough stains, use a special solution to get rid of them. Of course, you want to choose a compatible product for your marble tiles and test the solution in a discreet area.  

Step: 02— Allow The Tiles to Fully Dry  

Did you recently install the marble tiles? Some moisture might be trapped inside the tiles. 

Allow the marble tiles completely dry before sealing the tiles. Experts recommend to wait around 48-72 hours before sealing the marbles. 

Otherwise, the sealant won’t bond well to the marble tiles. You may see premature failure. 

Don’t put any rags on top of the tiles, too. Allow all the moisture around the tiles to evaporate. 

If you still notice any moisture, use a table fan or dehumidifier to speed up the drying process.

Step: 03— Apply The First Coat Of Sealer  

Once the gaps around the marble tiles become fully dry, apply one layer of sealant around the openings. 

You can use a soft cotton rag to distribute the stone sealer evenly. Allow the solution to dry at least for 20-30 minutes. It will penetrate through the pores of the marbles. This will create a protective barrier against staining. 

Take a fresh fabric to remove extra sealer from the edges and above the tile surface. You can’t be too late. 

Otherwise, streaks and dark patches may form on top of the marbles. 

Step: 04— Allow The Sealer Cure Properly   

You may need to apply another layer of the sealer after grouting the marble tiles. But waiting at least 24-48 hours is necessary to let it completely cure

However, you must seal the tiles within 1-2 days once 48 days have passed. Otherwise, the sealant won’t be effective.

Of course, you want to go through the instruction manual of the sealer properly to figure out the ideal curing time. 

Plus, there might be some special guidelines that you must maintain while applying the solution. 

What Is The Best Sealer For Marble Tile? 

Wondering what to use to seal polished marble tile before grouting? You have a huge number of options to choose from. 

But consider these two best products for sealing marble tiles before and after grouting. 

i) LTP Porcelain Tile Protector

This water-based sealer works for all types of marble tiles. It will provide invisible protection against staining. You can use it in both internal and external areas. 

It comes with a non-filming formula to protect the marble surface from stains, marks, contaminants, and pollutants.

Apply a thin coat initially. Wait around 30 minutes. If necessary, apply another layer of sealant. Allow it to dry for 1 hour before using any grout to fill the gaps in marble tiles. 

ii) Clean-EEZ Penetrating Grout Sealer

Can’t you tolerate the harsh smell of chemical substances? This odorless grout sealer comes with a professional strength formula to protect your marble surface from set-in stains.

It will create a strong barrier to shield your marble floors against water and oil-based stains.

Use a paintbrush or brush roller to apply the sealer. Wait for 5-6 minutes before buffing away any excess sealer.

FAQ’s

Final Words 

So, you have already got a complete answer to the question of “Should I seal marble tile before grouting?” 

Make sure to clean your marble floors with a pH-neutral product and water after every 7-10 days. You can also use specially formulated marble cleaner for effective cleaning. Make sure to remove any spills immediately to avoid hassles in the future. 

Plus, sealing marble tiles every 3-4 years is a good practice to bring a new lease of life! You can add large mats with waterproof backings on top of the marble tiles to protect them from dirt, water, and road salts.