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Ah, Toronto—where one day you’re in shorts, and the next you’re scraping frost off your windshield with a loyalty card. From snow slush to springtime spills, your tile floors see it all. So if you’ve ever found yourself wondering, “Should I seal these tiles or let them be?”—we’ve got your answer.

At Grout Restoration Works, we’ve cleaned, sealed, and rescued more tile in the GTA than we can count. Let’s dive into who needs sealant, who doesn’t, and why your floors are silently begging for attention.

Why Sealing Matters in Toronto

Toronto’s climate is basically tile chaos. Between icy boots, muddy paws, road salt, and maple syrup mishaps (hey, it happens), your floors go through a lot. Sealing adds a protective barrier that helps:

• Repel moisture and stains
• Prevent grout discoloration
• Reduce cleaning time
• Keep mold and mildew at bay

Whether you’re in a high-rise downtown or a cozy Scarborough bungalow, sealed tiles = happy floors.

Tiles That Usually Don’t Need Sealing

Not all tiles are born equal—and some come ready to handle Toronto life straight out of the box.

Glazed Ceramic

With a factory-baked shiny finish, glazed ceramic tile is naturally resistant to stains and moisture. Just sweep, mop, and admire.

Glazed Porcelain

The super-durable cousin of ceramic. Most glazed porcelain tiles don’t need sealant—just a good cleaning schedule and you’re golden.

But remember: Even if your tile doesn’t need sealing, the grout around it definitely might.

Tiles That Definitely Need Sealing (No Ifs, Ands, or Slush About It)

Toronto’s four seasons (and three months of mud) aren’t kind to porous tile. Here’s who needs a little extra love:

Natural Stone (Marble, Travertine, Slate, etc.)

Gorgeous? Yes. Porous? Also yes. These stones will absorb spills faster than a TTC delay absorbs your patience. Seal them to protect against staining, moisture, and salt damage.

Saltillo & Terra Cotta

Charming and rustic, but let’s be real—they’re thirsty. If these aren’t sealed, they’ll suck up every drop of slush, coffee, or spilled Caesar mix they come across.

Un-glazed Ceramic or Porcelain

If your tile has a matte, unfinished look, it probably needs sealing. Un-glazed = unprotected, and Toronto doesn’t play nice.

Don’t Forget the Grout!

We’re going to shout it from the CN Tower: Grout needs sealing.

Grout is super porous and loves to hold onto every crumb, splash, and smudge. Sealing your grout protects it from staining and helps it stay cleaner, longer—even through your snowiest winters and messiest summers.

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Enter Grout Restoration Works

Not sure what type of tile you have? No worries—we’ll figure it out faster than a raccoon finds your green bin.

At Grout Restoration Works, we specialize in:

• Deep cleaning filthy tile and grout
• Assessing exactly what needs sealing (and what doesn’t)
• Applying professional-grade sealant to protect your home from the inside out

Whether you’ve got a bustling downtown condo or a suburban dream in Etobicoke, we’re here to make your floors sparkle—and stay that way.

Ready to give your tile a second life? Call Grout Restoration Works today and let us seal the deal—literally.