To protect a natural stone patio from harsh elements and chemicals, it's important that the patio is sealed as soon as possible. Once a patio has been sealed, other types of maintenance, such as regular cleanings, are very easy.
Because these stones have a high porosity, it's important to seal them about every six months and clean them with solutions specially designed for natural stone. This upkeep is essential to making sure your floors and countertops remain beautiful and functional for decades to come.
However, if you are interested in a natural look you won't ruin to stone if you leave it unsealed. But the colour of your limestone will change relatively quickly and will stop looking brand new after a few months if left untreated. So, should you seal it? - Ideally yes.
Impregnators are water-based sealers that penetrate the surface of the stone. Although this solvent acts as a repellent against anti-stone substances, it still allows the surface to “breathe.” The majority of impregnators won't change the stone's appearance, are long-lasting and are not affected by UV lighting.
For lower traffic areas, like a kitchen backsplash or bathtub surround, you should re-seal your natural stone tiles every few years. Depending on the amount of traffic, some installers choose to re-seal their natural stone tiles every 18 months, while others choose to re-seal their tiles every 4 to 5 years.
Water Will Discolor Them
Even something as simple as leaving a cold glass with condensation on your unsealed counters can change them. That's because water can penetrate the stone and leave behind water marks, permanently altering the appearance of your counters and potentially making them look dirty.
Every stone is porous, some types of stone, such as marble, sandstone and limestone more than others. This means that liquid substances also penetrate unhindered and are almost impossible to remove after staining. Natural stone becomes more robust with a waterproofing.
Once the polymeric sand cures (about 30 days), pavers and joints should be sealed with a quality sealant to protect the pavers from stains and the joints from erosion and insect infiltration.
A – On average, a stone sealer will last between 3-5 years before it will need to be reapplied. The quality of the sealer used and the porosity of the stone will all have an effect on just how long your sealer will last.
You may be wondering how to seal a concrete patio and if you can do it on your own. Fortunately, it is possible to do it without the help of a professional. Once your patio is sealed, it is easier to clean and looks better. The process involves two or three phases that include several steps.
On average, the lifespan of natural stones, like marble and granite, can be well over 100 years. That's compared to ceramic tile with a life expectancy of 75 years.
Your pavers won't disintegrate if you don't seal them, but they'll likely fade much sooner than if you applied sealant. You'll also need to clean them more often, and the stains won't be as easy to remove. If the joint sand loosens, you risk damage and instability.
Myth: Sealing will change the color of my stone.
Typically, impregnator sealers neither change the color of natural stone nor add shine. If you are sealing a polished limestone, travertine, marble, or granite, the impregnator will not change the color and will not add shine.
Oil-based: Oil-based sealers last longer, but they have a strong smell and may leave a sticky residue behind. Penetrating: Penetrating sealer seeps into the granite's pores to protect it from the inside out. Water-based: This type of sealer evaporates faster than other granite sealers and doesn't have a strong odor.
One of the reasons soapstone is so popular is because it does not require sealing like other natural stone countertop materials. Soapstone is a non-porous natural stone, which means it does not absorb liquids or stains like other porous stones such as marble or granite.
Ultimately, you can expect to enjoy between three and five years of protection from a high-quality sealer. With that said, a big part of answering the question, “How long does paver sealer last?” will depend on environmental factors such as weather and foot traffic.
Natural stones hold a network of tiny interconnected channels (sort of like the body's capillaries), which permit penetration by liquids and gasses. These channels act like a sponge, drawing liquids in over time. The amount of absorbency varies depending on the exact type of stone.
Natural stone, as beautiful and tough as it may be, is also somewhat fragile. While it defies the barriers of time and is extraordinarily durable, it requires a certain level of TLC to ensure it retains its original splendour.
General Steps for any kind of Natural Stone Surface:
Sweep to remove any dirt particles. Fill a recepient of warm water and use only water, or mix it with a small amount of neutral liquid “All-Purpose-Cleaner”, detergent or cleaning solutions specific for stone. Change the solution when it starts to get dirty.
We recommend a professional grade sealer for your interlocking pavers. There are two main types of sealer to choose from; water based, and solvent based. Water based sealers are penetrating sealers that will penetrate the porous areas of the paver providing protection through the surface of the paver.