One of the important maintenance procedures in owning natural stone kitchen countertops is sealing the stone. Sealing is done initially by the fabricator, and it needs to be re-done after some time. Can you do it yourself? Sure you can. But you might say that you know nothing about it. Don’t worry; here are some tips on sealing your granite and marble to help you out.
Does it need sealing?
First, you need to ask whether the stone even need sealing. Though there are recommendations given by your fabricator for the time for resealing, that time is just an estimate. To know whether you need to seal, you can do a water test. The water test is simple. Just pour water over the marble or granite slab. Let it sit for a few minutes. Afterward, wipe the water off and look at the surface. If the stone looks faded or is not as vibrant compared to the rest of the slab, it needs sealing. If not, then sealing can be put off for some time.
This test is important since the stone might need sealing prior to the time given by the fabricator. Sealing the stone when it actually needs it keeps it from damage and stains.
What sealer to use?
There are lots of options, and it can be confusing to know which to use. One source of advice is the stone fabricator: you can get what they would recommend. You should also look at the granite or marble slab application. For example, the sealer you use for the marble vanity is different from what’s needed in a granite kitchen. In general, what’s recommended is that you get an impregnating sealer that’s oleophobic. Impregnating means the protection goes beyond the surface, and oleophobic means it repels both oil and water.
How to apply it?
Applying a sealer can be done with a rag or a brush. You can certainly do it by yourself. But be sure to look at the manufacturer’s instructions and safety precautions before using the product.
Also be sure that the marble or granite surface is clean and dry before application. You should also make sure that the countertop or stone is free from use for a few hours as the sealer needs some time to set and dry.
These are some general tips to guide you in applying a stone sealer by yourself. But should you have doubts or questions, you can always ask your stone fabricator for more advice or, you can let them do it for you.
More information about granite and marble slab care tips can be found at MarbleCityCa.com. Visit us today.