Clear Sealer – FAQ’s

Q. Why is it important to have my Tile & Grout floor sealed?
A. Sealing your Tile & Grout floor (and walls) is the only way to protect your investment from water-based and oil-based stains. A sealer prevents a spill from penetrating into the porous surface of the floor, and gives you time to clean it up. And clean-ups are a snap! Simply blot fresh spills with a clean cloth or paper towel. The sealer continues to protect, even after repeated cleanings.

Q. Does my ceramic tile need to be sealed?

A. No. The ceramic tile is sealed in the manufacturing process but the grout between the tiles should be sealed.

Q. How does a sealer protect my floor?

A. The penetrating sealer is absorbed by the pores of the Natural Stone or Ceramic Tile Grout. It fills up the “nooks and crannies” so that wet stains cannot get below the surface, and soil sits on the surface until it is swept or wiped away. 

Q. How is a sealer applied?

A. First, the floor is professionally cleaned, neutralized, and fully dried. Then, the sealer is applied using professional equipment and allowed to soak into the flooring material for five to ten minutes. Finally, the excess sealer is removed from the surface and allowed to dry. 

Q. Why is it necessary for a professional to apply sealer? Can’t I do it myself?
A. Our professionals have the training, experience, tools, and a wide variety of sealers for all types of natural stone, tiles and grout. Professional application ensures complete protection for the entire surface of the floor. Improper sealing can leave a sticky residue on the surface of the floor that is difficult, if not impossible, to remove.

Q. What do sealers protect against?
A. A penetrating sealer repels water-based and oil-based liquids, prevents stains caused by most food and beverages; and protects the surface from dirt and impurities.

Q. Does a sealer alter the appearance of a Tile & Grout floor?
A. No. Our sealers protect without changing the original color, texture, feel, or appearance of the surface. However, we also offer color-enhancing sealers for  natural stone, marble, granite, limestone and masonry surfaces as well as grout line color sealants to change grout color.

Q. Is a sealer expensive?
A. Our sealing programs are affordably priced, and can actually SAVE you money in cleaning and replacement costs. 

Q. Do you have different sealers to choose from?
A. Yes. We have a wide assortment of sealers, designed for a variety of surfaces and conditions. Some sealers are designed for interior use only, others for exterior use. Some protect against water only, others against oil and water. And some are designed specifically for floors with high porosity, such as limestone, slate, brick, and concrete. Our professionals will help you select the most suitable sealer.
 

Q. How should I maintain my sealed floor?
A. We will provide you with literature on maintenance, and precautions on choice of cleaning solutions. It is important to use the right cleaning solution, as the wrong type can actually break down the sealer and render it useless.

Q. Will my floor ever have to be professionally cleaned and sealed again?
A. Yes. We can provide periodic maintenance cleaning and re-sealing to keep your floors in top condition. The frequency will depend on the amount of traffic on them, frequency of spills, etc. Sealers make maintaining your floors much easier and more effective, yet not maintenance free.