Grout lines may not be the most visually appealing aspect of your floor. However, they significantly contribute to clean and stable tiles. They secure tiles and keep the water out. Their goal is to make your floors, walls, and counters last you years.
However, tile grout gets porous over time. As a result, dirt and moisture creep in. This is the reason it is important to reseal your grout. The frequency of doing it will depend on the location of the tile, the level of traffic it receives, and how well you maintain it.
The Importance of Grout Resealing
Grout can appear solid. But in fact, it is filled with small holes. It soaks up the spills, soap scum, and grime like a sponge without a protective seal. In wet locations, this may contribute to mold or the development of mildew as well.
An effective grout repair should be like a protective coat. It does the following:
- Keeps the water out
- Resists stains
- Makes cleaning easier.
Shower Areas: Reseal Every 6-12 Months
Bathrooms are exposed to water every other time. Hence, grout does the most work here. Sealers can erode due to:
- Constant humidity
- Soap leftover
- Shower steam.
Reseal shower walls and bathroom floors every 6 to 12 months. It makes sense to do it regularly due to the constant moisture presence in these areas.
Related: A Room-by-Room Guide to Smart Tile Design Choices
Kitchen Backsplashes and Floors: Repair Every 12 to 18 Months
Kitchen tiles encounter many challenges, including:
- Grease
- Spills
- Frequent
The general rule is to repair your kitchen tiles every 12-18 months. This might vary depending on how often you cook or clean.
Suppose your backsplash is located behind a stovetop or sink. In that case, inspect it more often. Cooking oils and splashes are known to accelerate the disintegration of the sealer.
How do you check whether it is time? You can just sprinkle some drops of water on the tile lines. The water should stand on the edge. If it is absorbed, it is time to reseal.
Hallways and Entryways: Reseal Every 18 to 24 Months
These places do not have a lot of water business. But they have a lot of:
- Foot traffic
- Dust
- Dirt, etc.
Builders say that over time, those tiny pieces of dirt may strip off the sealer. That exposes the grout.
Seal after every 18 to 24 months. It will also simplify regular cleaning. This is particularly important when you have kids or pets that bring in mud or water.
The Takeaway
We have given you a timeline. However, there is a way to test whether to repair your tiles or not. Pour some water on the tile and observe the grout lines. If they darken, then the water is soaking in. In this case, the sealer is completely worn off. When it drizzles down on the surface, things are good.
A fast check every few months can assist you in staying ahead of issues and increasing your tiles’ lifetime.