Help with porcelain tile that has to be sealed.

last year

last modified: last year

I need help with the porcelain tiles I picked and supposed to pick up today the salesperson told me

they have to be sealed. I am not happy about that as my kitchen backsplash 14 years ago was sealed and it changed color after sealing.

Tile experts do you know why some porcelain tiles need to be sealed and does it have to be sealed again in a few years. My tile is called Qualis Ceramica Ardor Devotion. I picked out a few others and the salesperson told me they all have to be sealed.

Any info will be greatly appreciated.

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Comments (8)

Kate
last year
You want a glazed tile
dreamer
last year
Where are you laying the tile? On the floor or as a splash back? Yes polished porcelain tiles do require sealing. This is because the surface of the porcelain tile has microscopic holes in it. These are produced by the polishing process. When the tiles are being installed adhesive and grout can become stuck in these microscopic holes and produce an effect called 'grout haze'.
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First be okay with the fact the bathroom tiles might need to be replaced. All of them. Replacing them in the bathroom will have the least impact on the rest of the house and whatever comes out in one piece, can be stored for future cracks. Maybe you can find a similar color but a different size, so it won't look too awkward, just an idea. Taking out a cracked tile is quite easy. Put on some gloves and safety glasses and (carefully) smash the broken tile with a hammer. An old screwdriver or chisel will help you tilt the pieces out. Work from the hole outwards to remove the other tiles. Removing a good tile is nearly impossible. Assuming it is still glued firmly, I'd say impossible. But, if you want to try anyway, you'll need to mill out the grout and then figure out a way to lift the tile..
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merl234
Original Author
last year
Dreamer it is polished porcelain and I went down again this morning and the manager said exactly what you are saying word for word. It is polished and its for the shower walls in 4 x 12 and 12 x 24 matte same tile on the floor. She said the floor doesn't have to be sealed. According to her you put some on a cloth and wipe it before grout, wait 30 minutes and wipe off. She said you do it once and never again. Do you think that's correct?
bigreader
last year
You can contact Qualis Ceramica and ask them directly about the installation and sealing specifications for their product.
merl234
Original Author
last year
I received an answer from the manufacturer. They said the product is polished and needs to be sealed prior to grouting to protect the tile during the grouting phase. It will act as a grout release and will make the cleanup easier and help to protect the tile. The tile will not need to be resealed and it will not change the color of the tile.

I just thought here we go when she said it had to be sealed. We did our kitchen 12 years ago and the backsplash is limestone and when the tiler sealed it and I got home from work it had darkened quite a bit which I couldn't afford with dark cabinets and not a lot of light. No one every told me when sealed the color would change. This forum is the best.

Thank you for all the information.
dreamer
last year
Limestone is a porous stone, porcelain is non porous. That would be why your limestone splash back would of absorbed the sealant and changed colour.
dreamer
last year
Good to know you have your answer. Always good to query with manufacturer first......
merl234
Original Author
last year
Thank you

Help with porcelain tile that has to be sealed.

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Kate

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Help with porcelain tile that has to be sealed.

Comments (8)

Kate

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