You can tell it's necessary to reapply sealant by spilling a little clean water on the countertop and watching for discoloration and absorption. If the surface gets discolored in about 10 to 15 minutes, it's time to reapply your sealant.
Typically, granite should be resealed every 12 to 18 months. Nevertheless, there are some other factors that come into play when determining how often to reseal granite countertops. For example, a lighter colored granite will need to be resealed more often because it is typically more porous.
If the water has disappeared, penetrated the surface, and darkened the granite, it's time to reseal. Another way to tell if your counters need resealing is by simply looking at them. If there are dull spots on a countertop that should be glossy, it's time to reseal.
Unsealed granite counters are susceptible to stains from food, drinks, and other spills. Since granite is porous, is can quickly absorb food and liquids, which is then hard to get up. Sealing your countertops is the best way to avoid stains like this.
It is like any other natural material. Wood has its grain, and stone has its pores. Fortunately, it's easy to seal a granite countertop. It takes just a few minutes and requires little more than a granite sealer and a clean pad.
Resealing granite prevents permanent damage to the stone and restores the original, factory shine. There are many sealers to choose from, but your granite countertops retailer should recommend the best product for your exact variety of stone.
The answer is yes, you can permanently seal your granite and that will give you a completely maintenance-free countertop.
The truth is that most (but not all) granite countertops need to be sealed. There is a simple test to see if you need to seal the countertop you're choosing and determine when your countertop needs to be resealed (typically every 5-7 years, depending on the sealant).
Granite is Heat Resistant
Placing a hot pan on a well-maintained granite slab will not cause it to crack or weaken. Just remember that repeatedly placing a very hot pan on the same spot may cause granite to discolor.
Choosing the Right Sealant is Essential
For this reason, look for products in the class known as impregnating stone sealers. They are chosen by professional contractors for sealing granite, marble, and slate countertops. The top-rated product in this class is Tenax Hydrex Impregnating Stone Sealer.
Frequent use of vinegar, Windex or bleach will dull the granite and weaken the sealant. Instead, a little soap and water should do the trick. Add dish soap and warm water to a sponge, get a good lather and begin cleaning. Avoid using abrasive pads, as granite can be scratched.
Note: Some experts will recommend sealing granite countertops every “6-12 months” or “3-5 years”, but there is no hard and fast rule.
Clorox and Lysol sprays and wipes are convenient, but they are not safe for granite countertops. They rarely contain bleach, but they do generally contain citric acid to help remove soap scum. Avoid using bleach as well.
It's important to understand that an impregnating sealer should not alter the color or finish of the granite counter. It won't make a polished surface dull, or a matte counter shiny. It's invisible when dry.
The outcome is a still-wet look that glistens while enriching the colors in natural stone and resin-enhanced stone products like quartz. A closing thought from Doctor Granite … re-polish and re-seal your granite countertops periodically and they'll provide you with durable beauty for decades to come!
If it beads up, you have a secure seal. If after a few minutes the water has soaked into the granite, then it's time to reseal the stone. DON'T: Use harsh or abrasive cleaners and sponges. Windex; acidic cleaners, like vinegar, lemon, lime; or anything with ammonia or bleach should be avoided.
Unsealed granite countertops will soak up anything that is spilled on the surface. Put a few drops of water on the granite, leave it on the countertop for a few minutes. If you come back and see that the water is gone and soaked into the granite it is time for the stone to be resealed.
When water seeps into your granite countertop, it leaves a dark spot that evaporates in a few minutes and returns to normal. But substances like cooking oils that don't evaporate can cause permanent stains if they're allowed to soak into the stone.
After scraping away the residue and cleaning the stone with water, you can use a polishing powder to restore the shine. These polishing products are safe for most stone. You will need to reseal the stone after completing this process. Another option for small areas is Stone Scrub or Acetone to remove residue.
Generally, quartz is less expensive than granite, but many factors influence the total price of a project. In this article, we'll look at the differences between natural granite stone and engineered quartz stone and the factors that affect pricing so you can determine which material is best for your design project.
30 minutes after the final application, wipe off the excess sealer with a microfiber cloth. If excess dries on the surface and hazing appears, spray additional sealer onto that area and wipe up immediately. Keep surface dry for 24 hours after the application process is complete.
In addition, Windex products and all-purpose cleaners are generally not safe for granite countertops. While there is a long list of other troublesome granite cleaners, these are some of the most popular products used to clean granite that can have a negative impact on the life of your countertops.
If the granite surface immediately takes in most of the water and develops a dark mark or ring, you need to seal it once every few months. If it takes a few minutes for your stone countertop to soak up all the water, you only need to seal it once every year or two.
Unlike granite, quartz doesn't need to be sealed on a regular basis in order to prevent staining. The nonporous surface makes it an ideal choice for food preparation and maintenance. You can clean these countertops with some warm and soapy water when necessary.