Over time, the water can weaken the stone, which can lead to fissures or cracks in the tile. Eventually, the water can penetrate to the subfloor, and once it does that, it can spread to other parts of your home. Water can trap bacteria in the tile, and it can contribute to the growth of mold and mildew in the subfloor.
Regardless of where you have natural stone in your home, it needs to be sealed to prevent damage to the stone from elements like moisture and dirt. In the shower, your tiles are even more at-risk for water damage. For this reason, it is important that you seal these tiles often.
Not sealing a stone countertop or floor tiles — which get the heaviest traffic and are the most susceptible to wear and tear — leaves the surface vulnerable to absorbing foreign substances, which can weaken the stone and potentially lead to the growth of bacteria.
All natural stone tiles, whether polished, honed, or tumbled, are porous and require sealing before grouting. This essential step fills the pores with a protective sealer, preventing grout particles from causing a hazy surface appearance on your tiles.
Stone should be sealed when used in bathrooms that receive daily use. “We recommend a penetrating sealer once a year,” says Tabbah.
Over time, the water can weaken the stone, which can lead to fissures or cracks in the tile. Eventually, the water can penetrate to the subfloor, and once it does that, it can spread to other parts of your home. Water can trap bacteria in the tile, and it can contribute to the growth of mold and mildew in the subfloor.
For lower traffic areas, like a kitchen backsplash or bathtub surround, you should re-seal your natural stone tiles every few years. Depending on the amount of traffic, some installers choose to re-seal their natural stone tiles every 18 months, while others choose to re-seal their tiles every 4 to 5 years.
Natural stone tiles, especially light colored ones, should be sealed prior to and after installation with a product that is best for the stone type. Concrete tiles should be sealed prior to and after installation. Saltillo tiles, unless they come already sealed, should be sealed prior to and after installation.
Wet grout is a perfect place for dangerous mould and mildew to breed. As tile grout is usually made up of a mixture of sand, cement and water it is naturally porous and absorbent. Due to this, you need an effective shower grout sealer that will penetrate and protect the grout, stopping mould and mildew forming.
Prevent Mold & Bacterial Growth
The reason for this bacteria and mold growth is water build-up. If grout is not protected, water can build up and allow bacteria and mold to grow. The tile sealant stops the water from absorbing into the grout.
Each type of stone is different, and they each need to be treated as such, but because all natural stone is porous, a penetrating and non-film forming sealer should be used so that it can penetrate deep within the stone and repel water from more than just the surface layer.
The weight of the natural stone is heavier than artificial stone, and therefore its use in the building is time-consuming. Climate and environmental changes affect the texture of the rock and cause cracking, mildew, and dandruff on the surface.
Using a sealer on natural stone helps to protect it against stains, while also giving you a little extra time to clean up any spills that may occur on your surface. It's important to note that while sealant does provide an extra barrier for your stone, everyday wear and tear will often still cause it to etch.
Naturally-occurring salts found in soil, water, sand, gravel and cement are dissolved by rain and groundwater. This moisture is drawn to the surface of the stone where it evaporates, leaving the salts behind as a white haze. Although unattractive, the process is completely natural and in no way damages the stone.
Natural Stone, which includes marble, travertine, limestone, granite, onyx, quartzite, and is even part of some terrazzo contains pores. These pores are the openings in the stone that allow it to “breathe” and release moisture and gas. If your natural stone does not breathe it will eventually deteriorate and stain.
Natural stone in the shower is largely about appearance. It looks great on shower walls, ceilings, and floors, as well as on the floor outside the shower. Where it's not so great is the areas of performance and maintenance.
If you wait long enough, the issue could cause your grout to become damaged. The elements around your shower could start to tear up, crack, and deteriorate. If you start to get complaints from tenants about things you need to fix, you'll be dealing with them more often than you'd like to.
Bathroom Shower Tile Grout Must Be Sealed Periodically
Grout is porous, meaning that it does allow some water to penetrate it. Consequently, it must be sealed periodically to maintain its moisture resistance.
Sealing the surface will help prevent water from penetrating the tile installation, thereby help prevent mildew, and will make grout easier to clean. Sealing should be done both when a tile surface is new and every few years thereafter.
Without the sealer the stone is at risk of staining very easily, and once it's stained then it's there for ever. If you have sealed your natural stone then you have that window of opportunity to clean up the spill and prevent a stain.
Quartz countertops are the easiest natural stone to take care of. They are engineered using ground stone and resin, so they don't require regular sealing they way most granite and marble countertops do. This stone is non-porous, so it does not easily stain or etch.
Both tile and stone flooring offers extensive durability, with product lifespans ranging from 50 to more than 100 years.
Clean EEZ Stone & Grout Sealer
That's why the Clean-Eez sealer which works on both stone and grout is the best option for sealing your shower. You can apply it using a brush by hand or with a long pole. It does need to cure for five minutes, after which you'll have to wipe up any extra sealer.
Natural stone, as beautiful and tough as it may be, is also somewhat fragile. While it defies the barriers of time and is extraordinarily durable, it requires a certain level of TLC to ensure it retains its original splendour.