Home Improvement – How to Seal Grout

Home ownership comes with a lot of responsibility including maintenance. Keeping your house in tip-top shape not only preserves the appearance of your home, but also helps secure its value. After all, owning a home is probably the biggest investment you have ever made and you don't want to see your hard earned money literally go down the drain!

Yesterday I spent the majority of the afternoon sealing the grout in our master bathroom. It wasn't hard, but I will admit it was tedious. Why did I feel the need to "waste" my day on something so boring? Below are the reasons why it is important to seal your grout:

· Protects against moisture and seals out water

· Forms a physical barrier to resist mildew stains

· Keeps the color of your grout in its original state

So, how can you go about a project such as this? Below are the steps needed to sealing grout:

Supplies:

· Grout Cleaner (I used Tile Guard)

· Large sponge

·Paint brush ( I experimented with several different ways to apply the cleaner. I had purchased a grout bottle that comes with a little applicator but after about 5 minutes I realized it was not as easy as promised. Then I tried using a Q-Tip. This was great to get into the little crevices but they fell apart easily. I then turned to a paint brush and this turned out to be the easiest application tool.)

Process:

· Clean your bathroom. Vacuum the bathroom to get up any hair and debris. Then, wash the tile with soapy, warm water, paying particular attention to the grout lines. Do a quick rinse with clean water and let the tile dry overnight.

· Apply the cleaner in sections. Dip your paint brush into the cleaner and then apply it to the grout. Be sure to apply to small sections at a time.

· Let dry. Let the grout dry for roughly 5 minutes.

· Wipe. Take a dry sponge and wipe off the section you just applied. Move on to another section.

· Let dry for 24 hours.

 That's it. You are done! The directions indicate 1-3 applications are necessary and what you choose is up to your discretion. I applied one coat to the floor and two coats to the shower since it gets the most use and is exposed to a lot of water and soap.

Remember - small investments of time in maintaining your home will give you big rewards in the long run!

Thinking about putting your home on the Henrico County Real Estate or Richmond Real Estate market? Contact me, Shannon Milligan, at Home Sweet Henrico today!