I ain’t smart enough to remember all of the differences when it comes to absorbency of a given tile or type of tile but this is what I do know. Yes, even porcelain has a measure of absorbency to it, albeit very small. It also has pores because it off gasses when it’s fired. So do we “seal” the tile even in a non-absorbent tile? I don’t know. I sell piece of mind. At the same time we also explain ourselves by saying something like – “Mrs. Jones what we are most focused on is sealing the grout because as you know it is the most absorbent part of your floor. While we are doing that we also end up applying the sealer to the tiles as well, when we buff off the residue. All tiles are at least somewhat absorbent; we have even seen porcelain tile stain which is supposed to be stain proof.” - - - or something about like that.
As for how we go about sealing grout, it couldn’t be simpler. With both water and solvent based sealers we get a very inexpensive applicator bottle from HD with a rollie wheel on it. Tape (yes tape) ½ inch dowel to the bottle and viola. That way we do all of our sealing from a standing position and we can move very fast. I’ve never used an applicator stick but I would assume they’d work just about the same. Our applicators last a long time and when they do need to be replaced its normally that the wheel isn’t rolling as well as it once did. We buy a new applicator bottle, through away the bottle and keep the cap.
As for sealing stone, interior like trav and marble, we use a pump up sprayer. Ever so lightly mist the stone and use either a strip-washer (a window cleaning tool) or micro fiber disposable dusting clothes to work in the sealer. In both instances we buff off the excesses normally first with a hair pad and then with additional hair pads or bonnets.
If we’re sealing or color enhancing a rough surface like tumbled trav pavers or brick pavers or the like, most of the time we spray it on and work it with a soft bristled push broom and collect our check.
If we do ever have to remove residue that’s dried onto the surface most of the time re-applying sealer will remove it.
Just my .02
David Gelinas
Marbleguy