Sealing grout costs an average of $150 to $250, depending on the tile material and size, the condition of the grout, and whether you hire a professional or DIY.
The average cost to seal grout is $150 to $250 for 160 square feet of space, including materials and labor, though the price depends on the size of your tiles and the condition of your grout. Sealing grout is an easy way to protect your beautiful subway tile backsplash or the luxurious marble countertop you splurged on during your last home reno.
A grout repair specialist near you can tackle the job, or you can do the project yourself with the right tools and supplies. Sealing your tile should be done about every three years to keep your grout free from mold, deterioration, and dirt buildup.
Many factors affect the cost of sealing grout, including:
Most tile contractors charge per square foot to seal grout; the more area you have, the more you can expect to pay. For example, a 160-square-foot area may cost $1.56 per square foot, but a larger area may cost as much as $2.00 per square foot.
Some contractors also charge a flat per-hour fee. The larger your area, the more hours the contractor will need to seal your grout. On average, tile contractors charge $30 to $60 per hour to seal grout, and depending on the size, it can take two to five hours.
The smaller the tiles, the more work that’s required–increasing your cost to seal your grout. This is especially true if you’re paying per hour, since it takes longer to seal more grout. Some contractors will increase the per-square-foot price for smaller tiles, which can put you at the higher end of the average cost, closer to $2 per square foot.
The type of tile matters when paying for cleaning and sealing the grout. Tiles with a matte finish, such as natural stone tiles, are more difficult to clean and will result in a higher cost to clean and seal–usually averaging $3 to $4 per square foot.
If you don’t want to clean floor tile grout yourself, you can pay a contractor for tile and grout cleaning before sealing your grout. The tile and grout cleaning cost will increase your overall cost, but if you seal dirty grout, you’ll seal the dirt and grime into your tiles.
Depending on the size of the area, tile size, and type, you could pay as much as $4 per square foot for both services.
Fortunately, the materials needed for sealing grout are minimal. Whether you DIY grout sealing or hire a contractor, you’ll pay an average of $0.30 to $0.50 per square foot.
When sealing grout, a majority of your cost will be labor–because it’s a tedious job. On average, you can expect to pay $1 to $2 per square foot for labor, depending on if you hire a contractor for grout sealing only, or both grout sealing and cleaning.
It costs about $60 to $110 for the materials needed to clean and seal grout yourself in a 160-square-foot space. You’ll need to purchase grout cleaner, grout sealer, applicators, a sponge, bristle brush, bucket, and wiping rags. If your tile floors or walls are particularly dirty, you may need to buy or rent a steam cleaner.
| Materials to Seal Grout | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Grout cleaner | $10 |
| Grout sealer | $15 |
| Applicators | $5 |
| Bristle brush | $5 |
| Bucket | $5 |
| Wiping rags | $15 |
The project usually takes three hours for 160 square feet if you know how to seal grout already. Depending on your skill level and the size of your tiles, it could take longer.
If your tile grout is extra dirty, the cleaning process could be extensive. In this case, it’s often best to hire a professional grout cleaner near you. They’ll likely use a low-pressure steamer to rid your grout of deep-seated dirt and stains.
You could cut your costs in half by sealing the grout yourself, but you must consider your time. If you hire a professional with a lot of experience, they could likely finish the job much faster than you. So you’re trading your time for money, not to mention the peace of mind of knowing the job was done right the first time.
If you don’t seal your grout properly, you might end up paying a professional to fix it, or it could even cause damage to your tiles, requiring tile repair or replacement, increasing your costs further.
Cleaning and sealing your grout makes your tile look cleaner, lasts longer, and resists moisture. Tile installation cost, plus the cost of tiles, is a hefty investment, so cleaning and sealing the grout protects your investment and eliminates the need for you to learn how to regrout a tile floor.
Dirt and grime won’t build up on the tiles, making them look cleaner longer. This will naturally lengthen the life of your tile, as it will block out moisture, which sealing grout does, too. When tiles can’t absorb moisture, there’s a lower risk of mold and mildew growth, which not only lengthens the life of your tile but also protects your family’s health and well-being.
Experts recommend re-sealing your grout every two years to keep it in good condition. Lower-traffic areas with grout may not need as frequent sealing as higher-traffic areas, like a bathroom floor.
Wondering how you can save some dough? Here are our top tips for this project:
Sealing grout yourself is the easiest way to save money on grout sealing costs. If you’re confident in your ability to seal it properly and have the time, you can save as much as $110 to $140. However, hiring a pro can save you a lot of time, get you a pristine appearance, and keep you from the strain and pain that comes with sealing jobs.
If you want a professional to seal the grout, you can handle the cleaning beforehand to cut costs. Just make sure you clean the grout right before they come to seal it to avoid any dirt or debris accumulation before it’s sealed. Either way, sealing grout saves on the cost of regrouting tile floors, which is more expensive and labor-intensive.
Porous grout requires sealing, which includes all cement-based grout, including sanded and unsanded grout. Epoxy grout, on the other hand, doesn’t require sealing because it is non-porous.
The easiest way to tell if your grout requires sealing is to look at it. If it looks dirtier than normal or the grout gets dark when wet, chances are the seal has broken, and resealing is necessary.
To clean grout, you must know what your tile can handle. Ceramic and porcelain grout do well with acidic cleaners or a baking soda paste made with warm water, but stone floors require less aggressive cleaners meant for stone surfaces.
To clean the grout, apply the cleaner to a toothbrush, scrub the grout, and then wipe the entire area clean with a damp towel.
