We have been retiling my tub surround area and finished grouting the tile last night. I used non-sanded PolyBlend grout (sold at Home Depot) and added a bottle of Grout Boost Advanced Pro. Everything went okay, especially considering this was my first time tiling or grouting.
My question actually has to do with how soon we will be able to take a shower. I've been finding what I think is mixed information. The Grout Boost Product Data Sheet (pdf link) says:
Protection
Protect the finished installation from traffic or impact for at least
24 hours; from water immersion or freezing for at least 10 days
or per grout manufacturer’s instructions, whichever is longer. No
need to seal grout. Clean up spills immediately upon occurrence.
If a stain remains after initial cleanup, follow the recommended
cleaning procedures provided at www.groutboost.com
And the Grout Boost FAQ (pdf link) says:
How long after installation do you need to wait before using
the area grouted?The installation can be walked on at 24 hours. Grout mixed with
Grout Boost needs to cure for 10 days after installation before
exposing it to water from mopping, showers, rain, etc.
I also saw a few comments online in forums saying that getting the grout + Grout Boost wet before the 10 days will only impact the stain resistance, not it's waterproofness.
So, how soon can I get it wet?
Best Answer
It sure looks like you did a beautiful job on your shower, be a crying shame to see all that hard work ruined with stained grout. The glazing agent in the grout needs 8 to 10 days to harden completely. I suggest that you tape up some poly to protect the new grout if you really need to use the shower before the prescribed cure time. A few days of inconvenience is definitely worth not having to scrub and look at stained grout for years to come.