As a waterproof lining for water retaining structures. (TDS p.1)
- Temperature stated in TDS
- +5°C min. / 40°C max (TDS p.2)
Step-by-step solution
Kitchen floors, sinks & wash areas
Kitchens get water, grease, food acids and cleaning chemicals at the sink, dishwash and cooking line. Home kitchens need sound tiling and mildew-resistant sealing; commercial kitchens also need waterproofing under the tiles and chemical-resistant epoxy grout.
- 5 steps
- 6 products
- 4 answers
You need this when…
- Damp or swelling cabinet bases next to the sink
- Stained or eroded grout lines that will not come clean
- Mould along the worktop and splash-back joint
- Leak or seelan below a commercial dishwash area
- Loose floor tiles near floor drains
The work, step by step
General guidance based on the manufacturer data sheets. Site conditions differ: confirm the system with MCT before you start. Where we do not name a product, ask us and we will confirm the right one.
-
Step 1: Prepare and check services
Strip loose tiles and weak screed. Have the sink waste, dishwasher and floor-drain connections checked and repaired. In wash areas with floor drains, screed to a fall.
-
Step 2: Waterproof wet zones
Seal cracks with Sikadur-20 Crack Seal (up to 10 mm, p.2). In commercial wash areas and anywhere with a floor drain, waterproof under the tiles with SikaTop-550 Seal (wet areas under tiling, p.1) or SikaSeal-105 PK (p.1).
SikaTop-550 Seal Sika Other options for this stepAsk us The right product here depends on your site. We confirm it before naming it.
-
Step 3: Fix the tiles
SikaCeram-205 PK lists industrial and heavy traffic floors (p.1); cementitious substrates must be at least 28 days old (p.2). See the Floor tiles guide.
Product for this stepAsk us The right product here depends on your site. We confirm it before naming it.
-
Step 4: Grout for the duty
Home kitchens: SikaCeram-855 epoxy grout for indoor wet areas such as kitchens (p.1). Commercial kitchens: SikaCeram-850 Design (commercial and industrial kitchens, p.1). Heavy-duty catering and food production: SikaCeram RSG 705 (industrial kitchens and catering, p.1). For resin floors in heavy kitchens, see the Food & chemical floors guide.
SikaCeram-855 Sika Request a quotation Suitable for grouting applications on most types of ceramic, porcelain and non-absorbent tiles for indoor wet areas. (TDS p.1)
- Temperature stated in TDS
- +5 °C min. / +35 °C max (TDS p.2)
- Pack
- 350ML
SikaCeram-850 Design Sika Grouting tiles for the following interior residential and commercial building applications: Wet rooms, Shopping malls, Hospitals, Commercial / Industrial kitchens, Food industry, Swimming pools (indoors). (TDS p.1)
- Temperature stated in TDS
- +5 °C min. / +35 °C max (TDS p.2)
- Pack
- 400 ml double side-by-side cartridge
SikaCeram RSG 705 Sika Request a quotation SikaCeram® RSG 705 is used wherever a high degree of chemical resistance and excellent mechanical properties are required, such as: Food production: meat, fish, vegetable and fruit processing, canning areas, dairies and bakeries, Industrial kitchens and catering facilities, Electrical substations… (TDS p.1)
- Temperature stated in TDS
- +10°C min. / +35°C max (TDS p.2)
-
Step 5: Seal worktops, sink and splash-back
Sika Sanisil lists domestic kitchens and resists mildew (p.1), but is not for food contact (p.2). Sikasil-715 WS lists wet area joints in kitchens (p.1).
Sika Sanisil Sika Request a quotation Sanitary or other sealing applications where mildew and fungus resistance is required Domestic kitchens For interior and exterior use (TDS p.1)
- Temperature stated in TDS
- +5 °C min. / +40 °C max (TDS p.2)
- Pack
- 300 ml cartridge: 12 cartridges per box
Sikasil-715 WS Sika Sikasil®-715 WS is designed for weather proofing and sealing applications where durability under severe conditions is required. (TDS p.1)
- Temperature stated in TDS
- +5 °C to +40 °C (TDS p.2)
- Pack
- 300 ml cartridge, 12 cartridges per box
Proposal brief
Kitchen floors, sinks & wash areas: scope and system
A starting point for a site proposal. Quantities, prices and the final specification follow a site visit or photos.
Scope of work
- Removal of loose tiles and preparation (m²)
- Crack sealing and waterproofing of wet zones
- Tile fixing and epoxy grouting (m²)
- Sealing of worktop, sink and splash-back joints (running metres)
System build-up
| Step | Product | Pack | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2. Waterproof wet zones | SikaTop-550 Seal | — | TDS p.1 · March 2024, Version 01.01 |
| 4. Grout for the duty | SikaCeram-855 | 350ML | TDS p.1 · September 2025, Version 03.01 |
| 4. Grout for the duty | SikaCeram-850 Design | 400 ml double side-by-side cartridge | TDS p.1 · April 2025, Version 01.01 |
| 4. Grout for the duty | SikaCeram RSG 705 | — | TDS p.1 · September 2024, Version 02.01 |
| 5. Seal worktops, sink and splash-back | Sika Sanisil | 300 ml cartridge: 12 cartridges per box | TDS p.1 · May 2021, Version 03.01 |
| 5. Seal worktops, sink and splash-back | Sikasil-715 WS | 300 ml cartridge, 12 cartridges per box | TDS p.1 · May 2025, Version 03.01 |
What we need from you
- Home or commercial kitchen; hours of use and cleaning method
- Floor and wall areas; location of drains and sinks
- Photos of damaged grout, tiles and any leak below
- Cleaning chemicals and hot water used
Site conditions
- Kitchen area out of use during the work and curing
- Plumbing checked before waterproofing
- Dry joints for epoxy grouting (SikaCeram-850 Design p.2)
Not included
- Kitchen equipment, cabinets and plumbing
- Supply of tiles
- Resin floor systems (see the Food & chemical floors guide)
Questions customers ask
Is the kitchen silicone food safe?
Sika Sanisil must not be used for food contact applications (p.2). Use it on joints only, not on food preparation surfaces.
Our grout gets dirty and will not clean. What helps?
Epoxy grouts are easier to keep clean: SikaCeram-850 Design has a smooth glossy finish for high cleanliness needs (p.1), and SikaCeram-855 is hard, abrasion resistant and easy to clean (p.1).
Which grout for a restaurant kitchen?
SikaCeram-850 Design lists commercial and industrial kitchens (p.1), and SikaCeram RSG 705 lists industrial kitchens and catering facilities (p.1).
Does a home kitchen need waterproofing under the tiles?
Where there is a floor drain or regular wet cleaning, yes: SikaTop-550 Seal is listed for wet areas under tiling (p.1). For a dry home kitchen, Ask us: it depends on site conditions.
Steps and product facts are taken from the manufacturer data sheets (page cited). Products are named only where the data sheet confirms the use; quantities follow a site visit or photos. General guidance: check the data sheet or ask us before you start.