grout question
 

We have completed the grout and have buffed off the remainder of the residue. Should we wipe the floor with a damp cloth to get all the residue off before putting down the sealer?

It has been 24 hours since the grout has been put down.

We plan on using some high priced stuff from Home Depot that the guy recommended. It is supposed to last for ever and does not need to be retreated so often.

Yup
 

Clean it off with a damp rag, and clean the rag often.
Then follow the directions on the sealer and the grout. The manuf, recommended times work best.
Enjoy.:)

...
 

Buff it with a clean dry towel. A wet towel will just smear it around. It should come right off :)
The wait time on most grouts is 3 weeks to fully cure but IMO 2 weeks is enough time.
BTW... expensive sealer and cheap sealer = the same thing. The only difference is you may have to apply the cheaper stuff 2 times. If you get the cheaper stuff, apply it, let it dry, drip some water on it. If it beads then youre all set, if it soaks up, you need another application.

Thanks to both of you. I think the sand maybe what we are tracking throughout the house. But I noticed grout residue showing up on our darker stained wood staircase treads.

My wife is the "Hurry-Up-and_Get-It-Done-Kid." She would like to do everything in one afternoon. I really have to sit on her to wait for the manufacturer's directions.

I think TileLab is what was recommended by the "pros" at Home Depot. He said we would never have to seal them again. It is pretty pricey stuff!

I've used that product before. It does work better then some of the cheaper brands. But, I've used $10 spray sealer and Tile Guy's right just a couple of applications and you've got the same benefits of the expensive stuff.

Grout takes 3 DAYS to fully cure, not weeks.
AquaMix makes a same day sealer.
And there IS a difference between different sealers. There's some that last only a year and there's some with 15 yr warranties. I like using stuff that has warranty.
Cheap sealer is no good. There have been cases of installers getting health problems due to the use of the spray on sealers. So I'd steer away from those.

True , grout sets up in 3 days but according to a few reps ( one from Custom ) it takes 3 weeks for it to fully cure. So when does one seal? 3 days after or 2 weeks after? Heck they make a same day sealer why not use that one? Better to be safe then sorry and I also agree with the time warranty but there really is no strong difference if the cheaper is applied untill water beads up.