How to seal grout?

[MissJess]

I’d tried to find the thread where I’d originally seen this advice, but couldn’t find it. 
 I’m pretty sure it was  MitchelleMc in response to grout cleaning/discolouration he suggested they use grout paint, and referenced he re-painted his grout every (x) years. 

Sorry taking a while to get to the point, which is I  just recently fixed grout (re-grouting), re-painted, and sealing grout in two of my bathrooms. 

I haven’t yet sealed the white wall grout, and I’m keen to, as the recommendation stated, re-paint every couple of years or when needed, but worried that when sealing this will mean a much longer process (scraping out sealant ect) if I seal this. 

Since it’s not floor grout (which I’ve already sealed), and I intend to continue to up keep (re paint as needed), should I not seal the wall paint, so it’s easier to repaint in the future? 

p.s wall grout is in shower area. 

[EricL]

Hello @MissJess 

I believe sealing the wall paint will give you further protection and extend the service life of the paint. Technically speaking if you were to repaint the grout line it would still be necessary for you to remove that layer of paint on the surface of the grout. The sealer over the paint would get removed if you were planning on revamping the grout line. So, between having or not having a sealer, it would be better to have it on to add to the protection of your wall paint.  

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

[MissJess]

Hi @EricL,

I just wanted to make sure I didn’t confuse my question by saying wall paint at the end, since you used the term ‘wall paint’.

It’s the grout in between the wall tiles. The entire wall is tiled. 

I'm pretty sure you understood this, it’s maybe my interpretation of the terms, so wanted to clarify.

For the purpose of clarifying, confirming that the advice is even if I was to repaint the grout (Dunlop grout paint) in the future I’ll have to do something to remove this grout paint front the grout first before repainting. Therefore if I seal it or not, there will still be a process before being able to repaint so I might as well seal now (fyi using Dunlop sealant too).  

Apologies for the confusion on my end, and thanks in advance for the further advice/confirmation.

[EricL]

Hello @MissJess 

My apologies I should have been more precise. Yes, your interpretation is correct. The grout paint might as well be sealed as renewing it in the future will still require you to remove the old grout paint along with the sealer.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric