The typical recommendation is to wait **at least 48 to 72 hours** after grout installation before applying a sealant. This waiting period ensures that the grout has thoroughly cured and set, providing a solid base for the sealer to adhere to.
After grouting, you should typically wait about 24 to 72 hours before applying a sealer. The exact time can vary based on several factors:
Standard drying times. The standard cement grout commonly found in most hardware stores and used in most residential homes takes around 48-72 hours to cure.
Wait until 24 hours for the grout to cure completely.
If you don't allow the mortar to cure thoroughly before you start grouting, your tiles may dislodge or move around down the road, leading to uneven surfaces.
However, a common guideline is to wait approximately 15 to 30 minutes after applying the grout before wiping off the excess. This initial waiting period allows the grout to firm up and achieve a workable consistency.
As go-to grout and tile care specialists, The Grout Medic truly wants what is best for your tile. Waiting too long to wipe grout could result in unsightly grout haze. Don't wait too long to wipe off grout!
Porous grouts attract water, dirt, oils, etc. While the tile industry does not require sealing, it is always recommended, especially in wet or high-traffic areas. Penetrating sealers are the most commonly used and offer high water, chemical and stain resistance.
The short answer is, “no.” You cannot put new grout over old grout. With regard to filling in holes and cracks on the surfaces in our homes, we might compare grout repair to drywall repair. For holes in drywall, we would simply purchase spackle, and fill the hole in.
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.
The typical cement ground found at most hardware stores takes 48 to 72 hours to dry. It's tempting to touch grout to see if it's dry, but try to resist. That said, you'll likely notice that wet grout is much darker than dry.
Grout Must Set and Cure
Then the grout needs to be cured for a couple of days. That usually takes between 48 and 72 hours. If you can avoid walking on your floor for that amount of time, that would be ideal.
Hot Tip: Don't wait much longer than the curing time, aim to do it within 10 days of grouting. It is easier to clean grout haze sooner rather than later because the haze promotes dirt build up making it more difficult to remove with time.
Mortar typically will cure to 60% of its final compressive strength within the first 24 hours. It will then take about 28 days to reach its final cure strength.
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.
Using Sealant On Damp Grout
Even if you get impatient, you must wait for the grout to completely dry before applying the sealant. If it is applied to damp grout, the sealant will end up peeling off and leave the grout exposed to dust and dirt.
Applying sealer too early can trap moisture, leading to potential damage or a weakened seal, so ensuring the grout is fully dry is pivotal.
Over stirring or using a paint mixer to stir mixes in more air and causes bubbling. Grout is stirred until consistency of yogurt. Grout is pressed into spaces with rubber grouter in order to expel air bubbles. After grouting tile should not be walked on for 24 hours.
We recommend waiting for at least 48 hours after installing a grout before you apply a sealer. Older grout should be cleaned thoroughly before being left to dry. Make sure to protect grout from spills and stains during this time, otherwise you'll be sealing in the dirt instead of keeping it out!
Whoever installed your floors most likely did not seal the grout because it needs time to harden and cure completely.
Grout is used to fill the gaps between walls, usually tiles, so that they stick together. For grout to work its magic, it should be left to dry for a reasonable amount of time; otherwise, all your efforts will be ruined. On average, grout takes around 24-72 hours to dry.
Generally speaking, grout requires 15 to 30 minutes at minimum to set before wiping away any excess, but there are a few things to know about the material before you reach the point of sponging it. Below, I explain the importance of grout, how to use it, and exactly how long you should let grout set before sponging.
A dedicated grout rake or a Stanley blade is best for removing existing grout. Grout rakes can be both mechanical and electric. Any electric grout rake is usually 240V and has variable speeds. The Rubi Grout Remover helps to remove grout surrounding ceramic and porcelain tiles.
ANSWER - It is possible to grout over existing grout if there is enough depth to do so. 1/8 inch depth may or may not be adequate depending on the type of grout used. A latex modified grout may work, but you have to properly clean the existing grout to ensure the new grout adequately bonds.