Penetrating Impregnating Sealers
Penetrating sealers soak into the pores and line them with a water and oil repellent. They are invisible, breathable and do not change the surface.
They are our default for natural stone, cement grout and concrete.
Protection & treatments
Floor Sealing and Waterproofing in Kitchener, Ontario
Sealing and waterproofing protect floors before damage starts, and they are two different jobs. Kitchener Prestige Flooring seals stone, tile, grout and concrete and installs waterproofing in showers and wet areas for homeowners and businesses across Kitchener and Waterloo Region.
With more than 16 years and 1,700+ jobs behind us, we have seen stone ruined by the wrong sealer and showers leaking behind perfect tile. We choose products by material and by use.
Our crew is licensed, insured and WSIB covered. All sealing and waterproofing work carries our written 1-year labour warranty.
- Licensed & insured
- WSIB covered
- 1-year labour warranty
- Free in-home estimates
Sealing and Waterproofing Are Two Different Jobs
This distinction is what the whole service hangs on.
Sealing protects the surface of porous materials like stone, grout and concrete from absorbing stains and water. It makes cleaning easier and slows wear.
Waterproofing stops water from reaching the structure behind or below the tile. It prevents rot, mould and leaks into ceilings below.
A sealed shower floor with no waterproofing will still leak. A waterproofed shower with unsealed stone will still stain. Many floors need both.
Sealing Porous Floors
We choose the sealer type by material and by the look you want.
Topical Film-Forming Sealers
Topical sealers form a coating on the surface. They can add sheen or a wet look and give strong stain protection.
They wear in traffic lanes and need maintenance. They suit porous tiles like Saltillo and some decorative concrete.
Grout-Only Sealing
Porcelain tile rarely needs sealing, but cement grout does. We apply sealer to grout lines only, protecting them without leaving residue on the tile.
For stained or worn grout, see our tile and grout restoration service.
Which Materials Need Sealing and How Often
| Material | Needs sealing | Typical interval |
|---|---|---|
| Marble | Yes, penetrating | 1 to 2 years |
| Limestone and travertine | Yes, penetrating | 1 to 2 years |
| Slate | Yes, natural or enhancing | 2 to 3 years |
| Granite | Only if absorbent | 3 to 5 years |
| Cement grout | Yes | 1 to 3 years |
| Garage and basement concrete | Yes, penetrating | 3 to 5 years |
| Glazed porcelain and ceramic tile | No | Grout only |
Each stone has its own page with more detail, including marble and natural stone flooring.
Waterproofing Wet Areas
Where water is expected, the floor needs a continuous membrane below the tile.
Sheet and Liquid Membranes in Bathrooms
Sheet membranes such as Schluter KERDI are bonded to the substrate with thinset and seamed with overlapping bands. Liquid membranes are rolled or brushed on in two coats to a set thickness.
We flood test shower floors for 24 hours before any tile goes down.
Curbless Showers and Linear Drains
Curbless showers need the floor sloped to the drain, usually about 1/4 inch per foot, and the waterproofing carried beyond the wet zone. Linear drains make one-direction slopes possible with large tiles.
They are more complex to build and far easier to live with, especially for accessibility.
Commercial Kitchens and Wash-Down Areas
Commercial kitchens need waterproofing below the floor and a surface that tolerates hot water and chemicals. We use waterproofing membranes under tile with epoxy grout, or seamless urethane cement systems with integral cove.
Basement and Below-Grade Moisture
This page covers surface and wet-area protection. Moisture rising up through a slab is a different problem, handled on our floor vapour barrier installation page.
Sealing a basement slab reduces dusting and staining, but it will not stop water coming through cracks or walls. Active leaks need a foundation or waterproofing contractor.
Testing Whether Your Floor Is Still Sealed
You can check this yourself with the water drop test.
- Pick a spot in a busy area, like in front of the sink or the door.
- Place a few drops of water on the stone or grout.
- Wait five minutes.
- If the water still beads up, the sealer is working. If the surface darkens, it is time to reseal.
Test a few spots. Sealers wear unevenly, and traffic lanes go first.
Sealing Costs and Reapplication Schedules
Typical 2026 ranges in Waterloo Region:
| Service | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Penetrating seal, stone floors | $1.00 to $2.00 per sq ft |
| Grout-only sealing | $0.75 to $1.50 per sq ft |
| Concrete penetrating sealer | $1.00 to $2.50 per sq ft |
| Shower waterproofing membrane | $8.00 to $15.00 per sq ft |
Resealing visits can be scheduled every one to three years. All work carries our 1-year labour warranty.
Keep exploring
Related Flooring Services
- Natural Stone Flooring Installation Travertine, limestone, sandstone and quartzite floors set on stiff substrates and sealed for each stone. Learn more
- Tile & Grout Restoration Deep cleaning, regrouting, grout colour sealing and silicone replacement for tired tile floors. Learn more
- Floor Vapour Barrier Installation Moisture testing, polyethylene sheet, liquid mitigation membranes and crawl space encapsulation. Learn more
- Marble Floor Installation Polished, honed and tumbled marble laid out dry, vein matched and sealed before and after grouting. Learn more
Where this service is in highest demand:
FAQ
Sealing and Waterproofing Questions
Straight answers to the questions we hear most. Still unsure? Call and ask.
Ask for a Free Quote How do I know if my stone floor needs resealing?
Put a few drops of water on the stone in a busy spot. If they bead up, the sealer is working. If the stone darkens within five minutes, it is absorbing water and needs resealing.
Does grout need to be sealed separately?
Cement grout is porous and benefits from sealing, even when the tile does not need it. Porcelain tile rarely needs sealing, but its grout does. Epoxy grout never needs sealing.
Is a waterproof membrane required in a shower?
Tile and grout are not waterproof on their own. Industry standards and tile and membrane makers call for a continuous waterproof membrane behind shower tile and under shower floors. We install one in every shower.
How long does a penetrating sealer last?
Typically one to five years, depending on the stone, the product and the traffic. Busy kitchen and entry floors need it most often. The water drop test tells you when.
Free estimate
Book a Free Floor Sealing & Waterproofing Estimate
Tell us about the floor. We will call to book a time, measure on site, check the subfloor and moisture, and leave you a written quote.
Prefer to talk it through first? Call and speak to a flooring specialist directly.
- Measured on site, with moisture and flatness readings
- Written, itemized quote with no obligation
- Licensed, insured, WSIB covered, 1-year labour warranty
Kitchener Prestige Flooring
137 Glasgow St, Kitchener, ON N2M 5E3
Monday to Saturday: 7:00am to 9:30pm
Sunday: 9:00am to 9:00pm