Assign sealer surface by surface
The scope should say whether a sealer is included, which surfaces receive it, and whether it goes on before grout, after grout, or both, following the written instructions for that tile. A porous stone and a glazed ceramic do not automatically share the step. Leaving the line off the page means the finish treatment was never assigned.
Read the tile maker first
Some stones are absorbent and the maker calls for a sealer. Some dense stones and many glazed ceramics do not. The proposal should follow the instruction that applies to the tile that was approved, not a habit applied to every job. If the instruction is missing from the submittal, the sealer line should say the treatment is undecided until that sheet is in hand.
Grout can be a different surface
The tile face and the grout joint can have different instructions. The scope should say whether grout is sealed, and whether that happens after the grout has cured enough for the product being used. Sealing the tile and ignoring the joints, or the reverse, should be a written choice. A blanket instruction to seal everything is not a choice until the surfaces are listed.
Who applies it, and when
Name the person who applies the sealer and whether the room has to be empty and dry for that step. A sealer applied by the owner later is a different scope from a sealer applied by the installer before the room is turned back. Timing changes who protects the fresh treatment. Write the timing next to the yes or no.
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