Cracked Glaze tile.to seal or no seal...that is the question

[Tiler Blackpool]

Hi Guys.
Anyone ever fixed this tile before? Has hundreds of hairline cracks running through the glaze and soaks in moisture. Never laid them myself before so just wondering if it needs sealing prior to grouting? grouting it later today!! in white grout.
Thanks in advance

 

[Concrete guy]

Ask the manufacturer, their instructions for these things still vary.

Many will sell these as decorative products only suitable for non wet areas other's say you can tile showers with them - there is a lot of disparity so it's best to get the spec from the horses mouth before you end up with an expensive mistake.

 

[cam_low]

Ive always sealed these with a polished porcelain sealer.

 

[David - Tradetiler]

I sealed mine at home with Universeal Rapid All-In-1 Sealer (that we sell) it has worked really well, the solvent base allows it to penetrate, Lithofin Stainstop etc will be ok also.

However if you have areas behind a hob where hot fat/oil from a frying pan splashes I really don't recommend this type of tile. Even with the best impregnating sealer you will not be able to totally protect against hot fat/oils splashes.

A topical (coating) sealer would protect but would look ugly on that type of tile plus might not adhere well to the glazed surface.

 

[Tiler Blackpool]

Ive always sealed these with a polished porcelain sealer.

Thanks Cam. Does it make the cracks more prominent?

 

[Tiler Blackpool]

Thanks ATS. They are from abroad. And im not sure where my customer purchased them from as shes out.

 

[David - Tradetiler]

Forgot to say - I lightly sealed mine first (not wanting to get any sealer down the joints), grouted, then second coated later to seal the grout too. I wouldnt expect using standard white grout on them unsealed would be a problem if you need to get on with it and seal later. (test on a spare tile first)

 

[cam_low]

sorry i should have mentioned that first. i seal first then seal after grouting. treat them as a polished porc !

 

[On one]

Done a few like this before...sealed with Lithofin Stainstop prior to fitting because if you have to wet cut any tiles they soak up the dirty water like a sponge....getting underneath the glaze.

 

[CJ]

Used this stuff a while ago.

LTP Crackle Glaze Protector | LTP Online | Tile Cleaning, Sealing and Maintenance Products

Hate crackled tiles.......the bloody noise drives me nuts. :yikes:

 

[On one]

Snap,Crackle and Pop then!!!......ok I'll get my coat!

 

[AliGage]

Same as Cam. I did a bathroom last year in crackle glaze, sealled with polished porcelain protector, grouted and sealled again after.

I wouldnt grout before sealling as some can suck grout under the glaze.

 

[John Benton]

The glaze also continues to crackle once fixed, just put one to your ear for a minute and you should be able to hear it.