Flooring Tile - Seal Marble Before Install?

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Dan R
03-05-08, 04:21 PM
Hello,

I am putting a black marble tile in my washroom. One person told me I should seal the tile before I thinset it down. Is this a good idea? It is an unmodified thinset (over Ditra) that says it is suitable for installing marble tile.


Thanks,


Dan

Durok
03-05-08, 04:23 PM
Hey Dan,

you should deffinetly seal before installin. If you seal after you risk ti sealer affecting the desired colour of your grout.
Dan R
03-05-08, 04:25 PM
Hey Dan,

you should deffinetly seal before installin. If you seal after you risk ti sealer affecting the desired colour of your grout.



I'm using a black grout, so I don't think it will make a difference?

Durok
03-05-08, 04:35 PM
Hey Dan,

me again....be sure to use UNSANDED grout on your marble or you will scartch it.
Dan R
03-05-08, 04:40 PM
Hey Dan,

me again....be sure to use UNSANDED grout on your marble or you will scartch it.



Thanks Durok,

I did get unsanded grout, both for the scratching and the narrow gap I plan on leaving.


Dan
Bud Cline
03-05-08, 04:53 PM
Hold up there guys. Sealing in advance of installation is OK as long as you aren't sealing the backside of the tile. To close the pores in the stone with sealer would have an adverse effect on the ability of the thinset to bite the stone and adhere to the substrate.

I would install the tile first then seal it all.:)
Dan R
03-05-08, 05:28 PM
Hold up there guys. Sealing in advance of installation is OK as long as you aren't sealing the backside of the tile. To close the pores in the stone with sealer would have an adverse effect on the ability of the thinset to bite the stone and adhere to the substrate.

I would install the tile first then seal it all.:)


Thanks Bud,

That is what the girl at HD told me, it did sound a bit weird.
b4nightfall
03-06-08, 09:31 AM
just make sure to use grey thinset with your black marble and black grout. The white thinset tends to lighten up the black grout. When it has cured for 3 days seal with enrich n seal, or any kind of enhancer. It will make the grout the darkest black it can be, and seal up the stone nicely.
twelvepole
03-06-08, 02:44 PM
I believe gaps along walls should be filled with siliconized caulk. In my rental, the grout has popped out along walls, wooden threshold, and along tub.
Bud Cline
03-06-08, 03:24 PM
You never grout tile tight to the walls, this is why a 1/4" expansion-gap is to remain around the perimeter of the room. The tile can't expand if it is grouted tight to the walls and could eventually lead to "tenting" of the tile.

The gap is generally covered by the baseboard and caulking isn't required.:)