Does marble floor tile need to be sealed?

Does marble tile need to be sealed?

Having marble tile installed adds beauty to a home. It brings about an elegant, soothing look. But it’s also among the more expensive flooring materials. You want your marble floor tile to last for a long time so you can get your money’s worth, so you’ll have to maintain it and protect it. Part of maintaining and protecting it is sealing your marble floor.

Why does marble floor tile need to be sealed?

Marble is a porous material. Porous means that a material is vulnerable to liquid absorption. If, for instance, you were to spill a glass of wine, the wine could seep through the surface of a marble tile and eventually cause it to stain or discolor, especially if it doesn’t get cleaned up immediately.

Marble flooring is commonly installed in bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms. Each area deals with moisture from time to time. Bathrooms will steam up while the shower is running. Also, accidental splashes from the sink or water dripping while you’re exiting the shower or bath can result in wet flooring. Kitchens emit vapor while cooking and laundry rooms have the potential to flood from a malfunctioned washer. The point is that each of the areas where marble is typically installed are threatened by moisture over time.

If you don’t seal your marble floors, any bit of moisture leaking through could cause marble to lose its shiny, glossy look.

How do you seal a marble floor?

Sealing marble floor tile is a relatively easy task. In fact, you can probably do it yourself, without the help of a professional. Your can have your marble flooring sealed within one or two hours by following a few easy steps:

First of all, you’ll need to clean the marble. The marble needs to be as free from dust, scuffs and stains as possible. The reason for this is that you don’t want those things to get permanently stuck under the sealant. To clean the floor, use a pH neutral cleaner that is made for marble flooring. You should be able to find the cleaning solution at a local hardware store or online. Keep in mind that acidic substances like vinegar should not be used as they can etch the delicate stone.

Once your marble floor tile is cleaned and completely dry, it’s time to apply the sealant. It’s a good idea to test the sealant first in a small area, like the corner of the room. You just want to ensure that the sealant doesn’t mess up the marble’s color. As long as the test area doesn’t discolor, you’ll be able to proceed with your entire marble floor.

Next, apply the sealant to one marble tile at a time. This will, of course, be a tedious task, but it’s still more reasonable than paying to have it sealed. A foam brush or soft cloth will do the trick. A brush will probably be more precise than a cloth, though. This is especially true for sealing the tile grout. You use the same sealant for the grout as you do the tile.

That’s all there is to it! You’ll need to wait for the sealant to dry before walking on your marble floor tile, but that should only take a few hours. It’s important to wait 2-3 days before cleaning the marble as the sealant will need to fully cure.

Nadine Floor Company

For all of your flooring needs, Nadine Floor Company is place to go! Our experts have tons of advice if you have any questions regarding sealing marble floors. And, if you’re wanting to have marble installed in your home, we’ll complete a free estimate before executing the installation perfectly. Call Nadine Floor Company today at (469) 666-4530! Also, check out our blog for more helpful information.