Installation Guide

Step 3. First sealing
3.1
SEAL FOR GROUT RELEASE
Before grouting, the installation will need to be sealed.
Cement tile is very porous, so grout can easily be pushed
into the pores or left to cure too long on the surface and
stain the tile. This first sealing serves as a grout release.
Before sealing, the mortar and tiles should be completely
dry. Trapping moisture into the installation can cause
moderate to severe aesthetic problems, such as ghosting,
or a blotchy appearance. The installation will need at least
24-36 hours to cure and dry before the pre-grout sealing.
This may take longer in high humidity. The tile should be
completely clean as well; any dirt or mortar stains in the
tile when sealed will remain there forever.
With any sealant or grout release, you will want to apply
the product very thinly: more is rarely better. Thick
applications of any product can dry unevenly, cause a
gummy surface, or drip over the sides of the tile.
Not all sealants perform the same. Some only provide
waterproofing, with little stain protection, while others
may not perform well in frequently wet areas. Follow the
sealant manufacturer's individual instructions for
application and cure time.
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