James B. ParkerSealant is a vital aspect of pebble shower flooring that you should not overlook. Sealing your river rock flooring not only protects the stone it also creates a waterproof seal that protects your floor as well.
Taking your sealant for granted or neglecting its importance can lead to many issues such as water damage and loose stones on your floor.
This article will show you the ins and outs of sealant for pebble shower flooring and how to efficiently and adequately install sealant onto your shower’s river rock flooring.
Why It Is Important to Seal Pebble Tile Flooring Before Grouting
The main reason that you want to seal your flooring before installing the grout is sticking. The grout will stick onto your stone.
Natural stone is permeable or porous, meaning that liquid can pass through it. Without sealing your pebble tile before installing your grout, you will be left with a mess that will be aggravatingly difficult to clean up.
Sealing before grouting also gives you an additional waterproof layer that protects your floor.
How Long After Sealing Pebble Tiles Can You Grout
You should wait for your sealant to fully cure before applying your grout. In most cases, sealant cures in 24 hours.
However, this timeframe can change based on factors such as the specific sealant you purchased and humidity.
Without waiting for your sealant to fully cure, it loses its effectiveness and can cause you problems in the future.
How Often Should You Seal a Pebble Shower Floor
Most experts would agree that you should reseal your river rock flooring every six months to one year.
If you want to be on the safe side and your shower receives heavy daily use, I would recommend resealing your floor every 6 months.
On the other hand, if your shower is not being used heavily, then resealing once a year should be fine.
How to Choose the Best Sealant for a Pebble Shower Floor
A good starting point would be to purchase a sealer that was specifically designed for stone.
Most river rocks are made up of granite, basalt, and marble. As pebble stone flooring is usually made up of a variety of natural stones, staying away from a sealer made just for granite is a good idea.
Unless your flooring is made up of one specific stone, searching for a sealant built for natural stones, in general, would be your best option.
Some sealers come with the option of color enhancement if that is a feature you desire.
How to Seal a Pebble Shower Floor
Tools Required
- Sealant
- Small bucket or container
- Knee Pads (If desired)
- Brush
- Roller (if needed)
- Clean cloth or sponge
- Tape (Duct Tape would work fine)
Step-by-Step Guide
- Before sealing your pebble shower floor, make sure that your floor is clean.
- Use soap and water or a solution of vinegar and water to clean any trouble areas if necessary.
- Use tape to cover your shower’s floor drain.
- Place some of your sealant into your small bucket or container.
- Use your brush or roller to apply the sealant to your floor one section at a time.
- While applying your sealant, take care to apply enough to seal but no to over saturate your stone.
- Look for dry spots that would indicate areas that you missed
- Wait around 5 minutes for the sealant to penetrate
- Once the sealant has penetrated your stone, use a clean cloth or sponge to remove any excess sealant
- Finally, wait 24 hours for your sealant to fully cure.
What Should I Do if I Already Grouted My Floor Before Sealing It?
If you grouted your pebble shower floor before sealing it, you would notice that the grout is sticking stubbornly to your stone. You will be forced to completely remove the grout.
There are a couple of methods to remove grout stuck onto your stone.
Vinegar or acids can be used, but the safest method involves sugared water. Sugared water can be used only on fresh grout that is less than 24 hours old.
Begin by heating up four cups of water and adding a quarter cup of sugar before the water boils. This will give you the proper sugar water mixture.
Next, soak cloths or paper towels in the sugar water mixture and apply these towels to your floor.
Wait one hour for the mixture to do its work, then begin scrubbing the grout away.
If this method does not work then, vinegar or acids will be your only other solution. Once the grout is removed, seal your floor, then grout it again.
FAQ
A sealant will naturally give your river rock flooring some shine and sheen. But there are sealants that are manufactured with color enhancement. These color enhancers deepen and richen the color of your stone. These color enhancers work by using a blend of siloxane resins which bring out the color of materials like stone and concrete. Color enhancement sealant works great on both faded stone and rich new vibrant looking stone.
Yes, while a brush is traditionally the best way to apply sealant a foam roller can work just as well. This is specifically a great option if you have knee, leg, or back problems. In addition, some would argue that using a roller allows you to apply your sealant more quickly than with a brush. Just be careful not to over saturate your stones.
