When it comes to sealing tile, it's almost always a good idea to seal the grout. However, you should decide on a tile sealer on a case-by-case basis. Sealing certain types of tile may cause the tile to become darker. You should always follow all manufacturer's instructions while using your sealer.

Step 1

Know what type of tile you want to seal. This determines what type of sealer you need. You should seal all porous tile, such as natural stones and unglazed ceramic tile. To determine whether your tile is porous, touch the tile with a wet sponge. If the sponge makes a dark spot, you know it's porous since it absorbs the water.

Step 2

Choose the type of sealer that is right for your tile based on the level of porousness. There are petroleum-based sealers and water-based sealers. You can use petroleum-based sealers on all the ceramic tile; however, you need a water-based sealer to protect your porous stone tiles.

Step 3

Go to Aldon Chemical's website for a detailed, step-by-step method to figure out what is the best type of sealer for your particular tile. Here you can find four steps for choosing the correct sealer.

Step 4

Ask the personnel in a flooring store if you still have trouble determining which type of sealer is right for your tile. Check with the manufacturing company if you can't find the answers you need.