There are no two items of normal stone that are specifically the same and which is what can make it so appealing and why sealing marble and granite is not “one measurement matches all”. Natural stone is lovely, timeless and special in its qualities no matter of where we have it mounted. Regardless of whether in our house as a kitchen area countertop, a lavatory self-importance, flooring or shower wall, if it really is a normal stone, there is certainly a possibility your stone may possibly want sealing if it is porous.
With that mentioned, the permeable qualities or level of absorbency of every single stone slab will fluctuate. You might have stone from a quarry in South The us that isn’t going to soak up significantly of anything at all or you could have a piece of all-natural stone quarried in China that absorbs humidity like a sponge.
How to test your stone for absorbency
If your natural stone set up contractor or revenue rep instructed you that your marble or granite demands to be sealed each and every 6 months to a calendar year, it may be simply because they have sealer to market. Prior to you acquire any sealer, attempt the subsequent actions to establish the degree of absorbency for your stone. This will tell you whether or not your stone was sealed prior to installation or no matter whether your stone requirements to be sealed at all.
Area about 2 tablespoons of water on your marble or granite countertop or flooring.
Permit the drinking water sit for ten to fifteen minutes
After ten-15 minutes, wipe up the drinking water with a delicate cloth or paper towel
If the stone did not darken in which the h2o sat, then the stone will not take up a h2o-primarily based sealer. Sealing then is not needed because it was sealed prior to installation or you have a piece of marble or granite with minimal absorption. This will also tell you that you have a amount of security in opposition to h2o-dependent stains. If the h2o did go away a dim stain, then your slab is not most likely sealed, is porous sufficient to absorb liquids and ought to be sealed.
Conduct the very same take a look at for solvent or petroleum-based solution absorption.
Dab some mineral oil on your marble or granite
Let it sit for ten to 15 minutes like you did with the water
Wipe up the mineral oil with a soft cloth
If the mineral oil does not go away a dark stain, then solvent or petroleum-dependent goods will not likely possibly. If joint caulking does go away a stain, then making use of a solvent-primarily based sealer wants to be your option for sealing marble and granite. Note: If the mineral oil does depart a dim stain, your marble or granite is not destroyed. The mineral oil will evaporate and your stone will return to its all-natural color.
Base line, if your marble or granite did not alter colour with either the water or the mineral oil, it does not want to be sealed.
When you want to seal, do this…
Buy a good solution for sealing marble and granite that will stand up to both drinking water-primarily based and solvent-based mostly invaders. Any first rate sealer will at the very least 5 a long time even if you have the most porous marble or granite slabs or tile. Do it when it is essential primarily based on self-tests and not based mostly on the viewpoint of someone who may possibly have anything to offer. Attempt to use merchandise that do not demand frequent repeat purposes. I am in no way affiliated with DuPont but they do offer a item with an eight-year business or 15-yr residential guarantee.
The greater the solution when sealing marble and granite or any other normal stone, the much less time you devote on maintenance and the far more time you have for carrying out something you take pleasure in.