How to Seal Granite

Granite countertops are top-of-the-line. They are the best of the best and are made from all-natural materials, you can trust that you are getting the absolute best money can buy. How do you care for these beauties once you get them installed? What responsibilities come with caring for custom granite countertops?

Sealing the countertops is a major necessity when it comes to proper maintenance and care. Because granite is a natural stone, if it isn’t sealed properly, it can lose its water resistance and begin to allow liquids to seep into the countertop. This is something you do not want. When your countertops are installed, they will be sealed but the seal will not last forever.

So how do you handle sealing or resealing a granite countertop? At Signature Marble and Granite we are happy to help with your needs as far as sealing your countertops. This blog will describe some ways to handle this project on your own.

There are five major steps to sealing your countertops.

• Test Your Countertops: It’s important to know when your countertops are ready for sealing. A proper test to see if your countertops are still protected by their original seal is necessary before you know whether the time is right to seal again. This is a test in which you pour some water on the counter and see how long it takes for the water to seep in (if it ever does seep in). After 10-15 minutes, look at the stone. If there is a darkening of the stone, you may need to seal it. If there is no darkening of the countertop, your granite countertops are still sufficiently sealed.
• Follow the Instructions on the Sealant for how to do Natural Sealing: When working on the resealing of your countertops, make sure you are using the correct product. It is of utmost importance that you choose a product that is made of granite or natural stone surfaces. When in doubt, please don’t hesitate to call the experts at Signature Marble and Granite.
• Clean Countertops: You are ready to go! When you’ve made the decision that your countertops need sealing and you’ve found the right sealant, you’re ready to start. Not quite. You will want to make sure those countertops are cleaner than they’ve ever been before every applying any kind of sealant. Remove all debris, but also make sure you remove any moisture that could be lingering on the countertops. You don’t want anything trapped under the seal.
• Apply and Wipe Down: For this step, you need to follow the directions. But they are likely going to tell you that you should spray the countertops down with a generous amount of sealant and then walk away. After 20 minutes go back to the countertops and reapply as needed. After repeating this process, return to the countertops and wipe the sealant off.
• Avoid Use: After sealing your countertops, the best thing to do is leave them alone. The instructions will indicate the amount of time you need to avoid using them, but it is advisable to leave them for at least 48 hours. If you can avoid use for a longer period, that is also helpful.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, consult the experts at Signature Marble and Granite.