Does granite need to be sealed

Having Your Granite Countertops Sealed

Granite countertops are easy to clean, durable, and aesthetically pleasing. However, the material tends to absorb water. This is because of its porous nature, and this causes it to wear and tear after a while. To prevent this from happening, consider sealing them.

The exciting thing about sealed granite surfaces is that the manufacturers give them a glazed appearance, making them aesthetically appealing. This article will cover points that will help you answer the question, "Do I need to seal my granite surfaces or not?" Let's dive right in!

Do All Granite Surfaces Need To Be Sealed?

Not every granite countertop or kitchen countertop requires sealing. In some cases, they are sealed directly from the manufacturer. You should note that granite is actually an igneous rock that contains different natural stones. With that, it is prone to scratches and stains.

However, by sealing your granite surfaces, you can permanently protect them from damage and also give them a long-lasting look. Water is clear, and that's why it never stains granite countertops. However, something like red wine or grape juice leaves unpleasing spots on your stone surfaces.

You'll also need extra care, especially when handling oily foods like pizza boxes and more. Granite surfaces that are not sealed will have dark and unpleasing stains if these materials are placed on them. Want to know whether your granite surface needs sealing or not? Here are a few tips you should know:

Check that your countertop is made from granite

One of the first things you should check when moving to a new house is whether you have granite in the bathroom or kitchen. Sometimes stone surfaces may appear like quartzite or natural material, but you should note that they have their distinguishing characteristics.

Marble requires sealing at least once every year so that it doesn't get damaged, especially from heat and acidic liquids. However, that may not be the scenario with granite countertops. To determine the type of stone in your property, you may need to contact a local home improvement store or a real estate agent.

Check the type of granite countertops you have

After you determine that your countertop is made from granite, the next thing is to check the type of countertop you have. You need to know the kind of granite in your bathroom and kitchen, and you should inspect it accordingly to find its unique qualities.

Here are two considerations to assist you in determining whether your granite surface needs sealing or not:

• Colour: The colour of your countertop is a critical factor that will determine whether you need to seal it or not. In general, darker granites have a higher resistance to liquid staining, and you may not need to seal them. However, that's not the case with lighter stones; you'll need to protect them from acidic materials and red wine.
• Porosity: The next thing you'll want to consider is the porosity of the granite. Granite absorbs liquid and air more because of the gaps in their surfaces. This porosity can cause it to develop stains and other permanent damages. You can pour a few drops of water on the surface of your countertop to determine its porosity.

Consult the manufacturer about special treatments

One of the critical things you should know is that granite surfaces are usually sealed when installed for the first time. Sometimes, the manufacturer may already install a lifetime seal on the granite countertops, and you may not need to include an extra sealing. The seal is included to improve the durability of the granite countertops.

If your countertop has this type of sealing, it will easily resist stains and etching for as long as you want it to. It's essential to contact your manufacturer to know the type of sealing that it has.

How To Check If Your Granite Needs Sealing

There are other ways to check if your countertop needs sealing or not, and you don't need to always contact the manufacturer. One of the strategies that you should consider is to perform a water test. If your countertop is made from stone, you might want to try the following before you apply a sealant:

• Get a cup of clean water and a stopwatch or your phone timer.
• Pour a bit of the water on your countertop. This should be in different areas of the countertop to determine its porosity.
• Start the timer or stopwatch.
• Leave for 30 minutes or until the countertop absorbs all the water.
• If the surface absorbs the water immediately and develops a dark ring, you'll need to seal it regularly.
• If the surface absorbs the water after a few minutes, you'll need to seal it yearly or after two years.
• You won't need to seal the countertop if it takes longer than 30 minutes to absorb all the water.

Note: This is a test that you should perform every year.‍

Whenever you test the porosity of your countertop, it's essential to always use water rather than other liquids. This is because some countertops are susceptible to acidic substances, and you'll need to be extra careful not to use these substances when testing.

Sealing Granite Countertops

Now that you're sure that your countertop needs sealing, here's the next thing you should do to improve its durability:

Get your materials ready

Here are the materials that you'll need in order to effectively seal your countertop:

• Microfibre cloths: You'll need to use enough clean sheets when applying the sealant to your stone surfaces.
• Isopropyl alcohol: This is to clean the granite surfaces effectively. It's best to use a mixture of isopropyl alcohol and a mild detergent.
• Liquid dishwashing detergent: You can also use mild dishwashing soap to clean the surface, but this should be before you add the sealant.
• Spray bottle: The spray bottle enhances the cleaning solution's application.
• Rubber gloves: You need to protect your hands when working with granite sealers, which is why you'll require rubber gloves.
• Granite sealer: Ensure that you use the appropriate type of sealer.
• Soft rags: Rather than using the microfibre cloths above, you might want to consider getting clean rags to use.

Clean the granite countertop

For best results, cleaning the countertops a day before sealing them is advisable. Also, because the surfaces are sensitive to acidic solutions and are porous, you'll want to avoid using cleaners with harsh chemicals or lemon juice. You should also avoid bleach and baking soda.

Here are some tips to follow:

• Remove small appliances and food materials from the countertops.
• Use a microfibre cloth to wipe the surface and remove dust.
• Mix a small amount of isopropyl alcohol and the detergent in a spray bottle, and add cold water to the bottle.
• Use the solution to spray the countertop.
• Use another microfibre cloth to wipe the surface of the countertop. This should be in a circular motion.
• Leave for 24 hours before you start sealing the countertop. This is so that all the liquid on the countertop will fully evaporate.

Read the label on the sealant

Every product comes with user instructions, and it's essential to read these instructions before using the product. This also applies to sealants, and before using any on your countertop, you must go through the manufacturer's instructions. You might cause damage to the stone surface if you don't use the sealant properly, which will only further shorten the surface's lifespan. Another thing to ensure when using a sealant is that there's enough ventilation.

Test the area

With your rubber gloves on, get a small quantity of the sealant, and place it in an inconspicuous area, based on the directions on the label. You can do this by pouring the liquid on the cloth and applying it over the area or with the spray nozzle. Leave the areas for a few minutes, according to the manufacturer's instruction, and check if you discover any change in colour on your countertop.

Continue with the following steps if the sealant does not develop faded areas on the countertop. However, wipe the liquid with a rag and contact your local home improvement store if you observe faded spots on your countertop after performing the test.

Seal the granite countertop

After getting a suitable sealant for your granite countertop, you can apply it over the entire surface. Again, it's vital to ensure that you follow the manufacturer's instructions and adequately apply the sealant on the stone surfaces to seal granite countertops.

It's advisable to start at one end and continue down to the other side of the countertop. Use a soft microfibre cloth to polish the entire surface, and this should also be in a circular motion to ensure equal coverage over the whole surface.

Leave the sealant to cure

You'll need to leave the surface to absorb the sealant according to the manufacturer's instruction, but it doesn't stop at that. Next, use a soft and clean rag to remove excess liquid. Also, be sure that there won't be a need for an additional coat.

After adding a few more coats to the surface, you'll need to leave the surface to cure. This might take a few days, but it's part of the most important steps to follow. Next, ensure that you don't wipe the countertop with a wet cloth.

Maintain the countertops

After you have waited for the full curing time, you can proceed to add your food items and appliances back to the counters. Also, keep the spray bottle cleaner in a safe place as you can use it to clean the countertops every two months.

You can use a wet rag and a regular dish detergent to clean the granite surfaces daily. Also, ensure that you wipe spills immediately once you notice them and dry the surfaces immediately. These are basic things to do to maintain your granite countertops.

Get Your Granite Sealed Properly

If you are not sure of what kind of sealant to use, always remember to contact your manufacturer for tips. They will recommend a few options you can try, and rest assured that it'd be a perfect choice for your granite countertop. You can also contact your local home improvement services or kitchen renovators to help seal your granite surfaces professionally.