How to seal natural stone tiles
Best way to seal natural stone tiles
Natural stone tiles make a wonderful addition to any home. However, if you are planning on fitting natural stone tiles in your home like Split Face or Travertine, then there a number of things you need to consider.
The first is that being made from natural stone every tile is going to be different. It’s all part of the charm of using natural stone tiles.
The second is that natural stone tiles are porous which means they will require sealing before use. If this is not done there is a danger that your tiles could become stained through repeated exposure to water and other liquids.
With lots to think about, we’ve put together this handy guide to help you out. Read on to learn more about the best way to seal natural stone tiles and protect your investment.
And, if you do have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact the Tile Warehouse team. We’d be more than happy to help in any way we can.
Cleaning natural stone tiles before grouting
It is important that your natural stone tiles are clean before tiling. We would always recommend wiping them down with a sponge and cold water prior to being fitted to remove any dust or any other particles that may have collected on them.
It is also worth considering using a Pre-Grout Protector at this stage for natural stone mosaic tiles like travertine. This will protect the pits and voids that are a feature of travertine tiles from becoming stained when grouting. It won’t stop grout filling the pits and avoids but this can be removed once you’ve grouted your tiles ready for sealing.
Top Tip: We would recommend using a white adhesive if fitting light coloured natural stone tiles to prevent possible discolouration.
Applying sealant to natural stone tiles
Once you’ve fitted your natural stone tiles to your floor or wall and applied your grout, make sure to thoroughly wipe down your tiles again with a suitable PH neutral product such as Fila Multi Surface Cleaner. This will make easy work of removing any grout residue that might have been left behind.
Next, it’s time to add your sealant to your tiles to guard against any staining of your tiles in the future. When applying sealants on natural stone surfaces, it’s really important to select the right product for the job.
One of the best products on the market for this is Fila MP90 Eco Xtreme. Highly versatile, Fila MP90 Eco Extreme provides environmentally friendly stain protection for natural stone as well as granite, marble and porcelain tiles with polished and unpolished finishes.
Using a sealant will ensure your natural stone tiles don’t absorb water or other liquids that may be spilt onto them as well as providing protection for your investment for many years to come.
How to apply natural stone tile sealant: step by step guide
Step 1 – Plan how you are going to seal your tiles
Before applying your sealant always read the manufacturer’s instructions so you are fully up to speed with their recommendations for application.
Step 2 – Apply your sealant
Next, pour the sealant into a bowl that is large enough to dip your brush into and apply the sealant evenly and continuously using a brush, wetting the grout lines as well. Dab any excess product with a clean cloth before it dries.
Top Tip: On highly absorbent materials, apply two coats of sealant with a 20-minute interval in between.
For polished porcelain tiles and natural stone tiles with a gloss finish follow the same process but before the product dries (roughly 10-15 minutes), rub it with a microfibre cloth wetted with the product to help with the penetration. Finally dry the surface with a clean cloth.
Step 3 – Leave to dry
Once you’ve finished sealing your tiles leave them to dry for up to 24 hours before use.
Maintaining natural stone tiles
It’s important to maintain your natural stone tiles on a regular basis wherever they have been fitted in your home.
We would highly recommend cleaning your floor or wall on a regular basis as this will help to remove anything off the surface of your tiles that could potentially wear down the protective sealant. This includes your grout lines which can often become discoloured if not maintained.
Fila Multi Surface Cleaner is perfect for this type of job in the home. Pet friendly, Fila Multi Surface Cleaner will delicately clean all types of natural stone surfaces without removing the protective sealant.
FAQs
Are natural stone tiles hard to keep clean?
Natural stone tiles are easy to keep clean. If you have your tiles on your floor then use a soft brush to remove any dirt before cleaning your tiles with a mop and Fila Cleaner Pro (or a sponge for your walls). Doing this on a regular basis keep them looking sparking clean.
Are natural stone tiles porous?
Natural stone tiles such as Split Face and Travertine are porous and will need to be sealed once fitted to stop them from staining. We would always recommend using a high quality, environmentally friendly sealant such as Fila MP90 Eco Xtreme.
How long does it take for a sealant to dry on natural stone tiles?
Most sealants will be touch dry within two hours, but we would always recommend leaving them for 24 hours before use.
Need more information?
If you have any questions regarding sealing times in your home, then feel free to contact our Customer Services team using our web chat facility.