Ceramic tile sealer?

Q: What can I do with ceramic tile sealant that’s coming off in patches? We’re new immigrants to Canada and just bought a handyman-special. I must have scrubbed too hard and now the tiles on the porch, kitchen and washroom are looking bad. What can I do? Should I scrub off the old sealant completely and leave it at that?

A: Welcome to Canada! I'm glad to help you get settled in. It sounds to me like scrubbing off all the old sealant and leaving it that way is the best option. I have four areas of ceramic tile in my house and everything looks great after 15 years of unsealed use. One exception to this advice applies to your front porch. If it's exposed to the weather, sealant is a good idea to protect the grout. If water soaks in and freezes over winter it can cause the grout to flake and crack. The most important consideration is that you choose a sealant formulated for exterior use. Very porous, terra cotta-style interior tiles can benefit from sealing to help prevent staining, too.