Stop sealing grout before it's fully cured, I learned that the hard way

I redid my bathroom floor three months ago and used a premium grout sealer two days after grouting like the can said. Big mistake. The sealer trapped moisture and the grout turned patchy and soft, and now it's crumbling in the corners. My tile guy came back to fix a loose tile and took one look, said 'you sealed way too early.' He explained that most cement-based grouts need a full 7 days to cure, even if it feels dry. I checked the grout bag and it also said wait 7 days, but I was impatient because we needed the shower back. So now I'm paying $450 to have the grout ground out and redone, plus the hassle. Has anyone else ruined their grout this way, or is it just me rushing things?

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cole_murphy2mo ago

I get what you're saying about following the label, but you can't blame the can for what the grout bag itself said. That 7 day cure time is right there in black and white, and it's not like it's hidden in fine print. We all rush jobs sometimes, but your tile guy told you the real rule, so now you know for next time.

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