One of the most important things to creating the complete natural stone experience is grouting and sealing natural stone. If a person is looking to finish the surface of a granite or marble installation or a more complex slate or travertine natural stone project, there are certain steps needed to protect stone's natural beauty and walk away with the exact look a person desires. Grouting and sealing natural stone is slightly different than with ceramic or porcelain, and the end result requires far more finesse Step 1Seal the natural stone before grouting. If working with a small area , use a paint brush to apply the sealer and if the installation area is larger a hand-held sprayer such as those used to spray for weeds in a garden can be used to apply the sealer. In both cases, follow the manufacturer's instructions on the container of sealant for instructions on how long to allow for drying before moving on to the actual grouting process. Allow to dry completely before grouting. Step 2Force the grout into the joints between the natural stone tiles with grout float. If working with polished marble or granite, the grout can be spread across the face of the title from joint to joint because the grout will not stick to a polished surface. If working with a rough natural stone such as slate, tumbled marble or travertine, you will need to prevent spreading excess grout on the surface of the tiles themselves as the natural crags and valleys can make for difficult cleaning Step 3Allow 15 to 20 minutes for the grout to dry in the joint before washing. Test iwhether the grout is ready to be cleaned by gently probing the surface of the grout joint with your finger. If the grout is tacky and sticks to your finger it needs to dry for another few minutes; otherwise it is ready to be cleaned. Step 4Fill the bucket with water and dampen the sponge slightly. Use the sponge to smooth the grout across the grout joint with small, circular motions, rinsing the sponge frequently in the bucket of water.

Once the majority of the grout has been cleaned from the surface of the titles and the joints smoothed over, allow for an additional drying period of 15 to 20 minutes before removing the final haze of grout with the sponge. Step 5Allow to dry for 72 hours at least before sealing. Step 6Check the natural stone surface for any grout haze that may remain. Use water and a sponge to completely clean the surface if there is any haze left, allowing the surface to dry completely before sealing. Step 7Apply sealer with a paint brush in small areas, or a sprayer for large areas. Follow the manufacturer's instructions in regards to how many coats of sealer are required for different types of natural stone.

Allow a drying time of 24 hours at least before allowing foot traffic or moisture in the case of showers or wet areas.