FAQs

The type of stone, tile and grout that you have will determine if sealing is necessary. Glazed ceramic and porcelain tiles have almost no porosity and are highly resistant to staining; therefore, sealing is not required. However, it is beneficial to seal unglazed, polished porcelain floor tile. If either the tile or grout is considered porous, such as natural-stone tile, terra cotta, Saltillo, brick or cement-based grout, sealing is recommended.

The best time to apply a sealer to the grout is after the grout has cured a minimum of 24 to 72 hours, depending on the manufacturer's instructions.

It is best to seal all porous stone before grouting the floor, and again after the grout has fully cured.

Regular cleaning is recommended, but the frequency depends on the usage in the area. Bleach should only be used when absolutely necessary and should never be used for routine maintenance of stone, tile and grout. For most installations and applications, the use of an appropriate cleaner, such as MAPEI's UltraCare Concentrated Tile & Grout Cleaner for floors, or UltraCare Everyday Stone, Tile & Grout Cleaner; UltraCare Everyday Stone Clean & Polish; and UltraCare Everyday Stone & Grout Cleaner & Resealer for countertops and backsplashes, is recommended routine maintenance.

Always test first! Your grout should withstand the occasional use of diluted bleach. One cup of bleach, mixed with one gallon of clean water, is usually sufficient for disinfecting. Regular use can discolor and weaken grout over time. Bleach should only be used when absolutely necessary and should never be used for routine maintenance of stone, tile and grout. For most installations and applications, the use of an appropriate cleaner, such as MAPEI's UltraCare Concentrated Tile & Grout Cleaner for floors, or UltraCare Everyday Stone, Tile & Grout Cleaner; UltraCare Everyday Stone Clean & Polish; and UltraCare Everyday Stone & Grout Cleaner & Resealer for countertops and backsplashes, is recommended routine maintenance.

Vinegar is acidic and can etch certain natural stone, such as marble, travertine and limestone. The occasional use of vinegar on porcelain or ceramic tile with cement-based grout should not cause damage. However, frequent or regular use can discolor and weaken grout and should not be used for routine maintenance. There are several professional-grade UltraCare acidic cleaners that are available when needed, including UltraCare Sulfamic Acid Crystals, UltraCare Cement Grout Haze Remover and UltraCare Acidic Tile & Grout Cleaner. For most installations and applications, the use of an appropriate cleaner, such as MAPEI's UltraCare Concentrated Tile & Grout Cleaner for floors, or UltraCare Everyday Stone, Tile & Grout Cleaner; UltraCare Everyday Stone Clean & Polish; and UltraCare Everyday Stone & Grout Cleaner & Resealer for countertops and backsplashes, is recommended routine maintenance.

Steam cleaning your tile and grout is generally safe. However, certain types of pre-mixed and ready-to-use grouts can be damaged by exposure to high temperatures for extended periods of time. Always check with tile and grout manufacturers for their recommendations. MAPEI recommends the following product for routine maintenance: UltraCare Concentrated Tile & Grout Cleaner.

MAPEI Flexcolor CQ is a ready-to-use grout that dries harder than cement-based grout. The residue that is left behind, when not properly removed during the grouting process, can appear as a clear film that can become tacky. This residue can easily be removed using MAPEI’s UltraCare Heavy-Duty Stone, Tile & Grout Cleaner.

When it comes to removing tough epoxy grout haze, time is of the essence. The longer that epoxy grout haze sits on the tile, the longer it takes to remove. Use UltraCare Epoxy Grout Haze Remover to remove epoxy grout haze safely and effectively. For epoxy grout haze that Has been on the surface for more than seven days, use UltraCare Heavy-Duty Sealer & Coating Stripper.

Since the introduction of the BioBlock logo in 2003, MAPEI has continued to develop and expand the range and depth of products that include this technology. The list of MAPEI products that carry the BioBlock logo is evolving with the technology and is constantly growing. Look for these innovative products across the following categories: Liquid membranes, adhesives, sealants, caulks, mortars, grouts and finishes.

Replacing grout is certainly one way to fix the problem. Instead, use UltraCare Grout Refresh, a water-based colorant and sealer that is available in MAPEI’s full palette of grout colors. UltraCare Grout Refresh is made for refreshing the look of old, discolored grout or completely changing the color of the existing grout. Don’t replace it, Grout Refresh it! To learn more, watch the video below.

UltraCare Grout Maximizer is not a sealer. It is a polymer additive that is formulated specifically for use in standard cement-based grout mixtures to fortify the grout and help resist staining that is caused by water-borne contaminants. To learn more about MAPEI sealers, watch the video below.