First of all, it will not change the color of your grout. When a clear, penetrating sealant is used, it will seep into the pores of your grout, but it won't make your grout lines look darker, nor does it contain discoloring agents that might make it look lighter or dull.
Impregnating sealers will not change the color of your grout. Enhancers may darken, but at varying degrees. I suggest doing a TEST with Aqua Mix Enrich 'n Seal. This is the only enhancer that I think will do the trick with your application, and expectations.
It's the same a brick work when it rains the cement will look darker. Unsealed grout has tiny pores that absorb moisture, which can give unsealed grout lines a darker appearance. Once the moisture evaporates (assuming the moisture is not carrying dirt and contaminants), the grout lightens back up again.
The Drawback of Using Grout Sealer
Moisture can still pass through most sealers, meaning grout isn't entirely waterproof even when sealed. Over time, grout in areas like bathrooms will naturally stain or show signs of aging, regardless of sealing.
Grout that is sealed can still 'darken' when exposed to water. The real question is: how long does it take to go back to the dry color? the surface, this leave the top minute layer without anything on it. If your grout goes back to color within an hour, it is sealed. exposure.
Topical sealers form a film on the surface, and that thin film acts as an absolute barrier. But the film forming sealers will change the look of the tile; they can bring out the colors and even create a new sheen, like glossy or matte. Topical sealers give enhancement and some depth as well as the protection.
Grout, especially cement-based grout, can darken over time, especially in high-traffic areas. Darker grout is a good idea if you're concerned about the amount of traffic your floors will take on.
Whoever installed your floors most likely did not seal the grout because it needs time to harden and cure completely.
Using Too Much Sealant
You might be tempted to use more grout sealer to get the job done quickly, but an excess amount can easily spill over onto the tiles. As a result, unnecessary time will have to be spent scrubbing the excess sealant off.
High-traffic floor grout: Should be sealed every six months to one year. Guest bath and shower grout: Should be sealed every year or two, depending on frequency of use. Backsplash grout: Backsplashes in high-traffic areas should be sealed once yearly on average.
To remediate this type of problem to make the grout to be more consistent in color there are products called "grout colorants" that are epoxy based and match some of the typical grout colors. After properly preparing the existing grout joint you paint it over the joint which could be a bit tedious of a process.
Darker grout can outline each tile, emphasizing the grid-like arrangement or specific patterns within the tiles. This approach can add visual interest and architectural detail to the overall design.
Your choices in grout sealers are a topical sealer that can offer a wet look, or a penetrating sealer that has a natural look, which protects the grout but does not change the look of the grout.
Heavy traffic can wear down the seal on your grout, so grout in high traffic areas can be particularly at risk for grout discoloration if it isn't properly maintained. The truth is, grout discoloration is unavoidable when you use low-grade grout and grout products, and particularly if you are using cement-based grout.
To seal to perfection, we recommend using Universeal Grout and Tile Protector. This product is a solvent based sealer designed to deeply penetrate your grout. It is effective in preventing stains from oil and water-based liquids and it will not discolour your tiles.
Since most grout is cement based, it tends to turn gray with time and cleaning. Grout sealers are now recommended to reduce this effect. Some of the things that can cause color variation include: Too much water added in mixing the grout.
First of all, it will not change the color of your grout. When a clear, penetrating sealant is used, it will seep into the pores of your grout, but it won't make your grout lines look darker, nor does it contain discoloring agents that might make it look lighter or dull.
There is a possibility you missed a spot or two along the grout line in the first coat, which means that the area is not protected. So, at minimum, two coats are necessary. In some instances, three coats of sealer may be necessary to achieve maximum protection. Apply the second coat exactly as you did the first coat.
This means that while water cannot enter the substrate, any water vapour can still freely travel through the pores and breathe out. The best way to think about an impregnator vs a sealer is that an impregnator waterproofs the substrate itself, while a sealer creates a waterproof film on the substrate.
Unsightly Grout Stains and Discoloration:
One of the most noticeable effects of neglected grout sealing is the gradual accumulation of stains and discoloration. Grout is porous by nature, which means it readily absorbs liquids, dirt, and debris.
It is important not to leave any excess sealer on the tile surface because it won't get absorbed and it can leave a sticky surface that can become a maintenance problem.
If your grout has dried much lighter than you anticipated, you could apply an enhancing sealer. Not only will this seal your grout and prevent dirt from sticking to it, but it could also deepen the colour, giving it the darker look that the grout had when it was wet.
White and black are two of the most common tile grout colors. Shades of gray, brown, beige and mossy green are also popular choices. There are even more colors available, depending on what you need.
Timeless and Classic Appearance: As mentioned earlier, the white tile dark grout combination is classic and will never fade away. Whether you have a transitional style or a modern farmhouse, the white tile black grout combination will work one for all.