Stone should be sealed when used in bathrooms that receive daily use. “We recommend a penetrating sealer once a year,” says Tabbah. “It helps repel water so it beads up instead of soaking in and turning the stone darker.”
Yes, your natural stone shower should always be sealed! To keep your shower in great shape – and keep mold and mildew at bay – we recommend having your shower sealed at least once a year. Instead of a topical sealant that may flake off or discolor the stone, choose a penetrating sealant.
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.
Over time, the water can weaken the stone, which can lead to fissures or cracks in the tile. Eventually, the water can penetrate to the subfloor, and once it does that, it can spread to other parts of your home. Water can trap bacteria in the tile, and it can contribute to the growth of mold and mildew in the subfloor.
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.
Clean EEZ Stone & Grout Sealer
That's why the Clean-Eez sealer which works on both stone and grout is the best option for sealing your shower. You can apply it using a brush by hand or with a long pole. It does need to cure for five minutes, after which you'll have to wipe up any extra sealer.
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.
Best for Natural Stone: Aqua Mix Sealer's Choice Gold
Since this sealer is water-based and penetrating, it's appropriate in most scenarios, including bathrooms and shower surrounds. It will maintain the look of porous stone without changing its look or finish.
Natural stone in the shower is largely about appearance. It looks great on shower walls, ceilings, and floors, as well as on the floor outside the shower. Where it's not so great is the areas of performance and maintenance.
Clean stone weekly.
Cleaning your stone shower once a week can help reduce grime, water deposits, and mildew build-up. Use stone-safe products, rather than vinegar or ammonia. Such products are too harsh on stone; their acids break down sealants and discolor surfaces.
Both tile and stone flooring offers extensive durability, with product lifespans ranging from 50 to more than 100 years.
A simple Water Drop Test is one of the easiest ways to examine whether or not your natural stone needs sealing! First, sprinkle a tablespoon of water on your stone. Leave the water on the surface for about 15 minutes. If the stone darkens or if the water is absorbed in less than 4 minutes, then resealing is needed.
Apply a drop of water 1 inch in diameter to the stone surface. Allow the water to stand on the stone for 5-30 minutes. If the surface is unsealed, the water will absorb into the stone and darken the surface (absorption speed will depend on porosity of the stone).
When cleaning natural stones like marble, limestone, and onyx, you can't reach for your regular cleaners like white vinegar, lemon juice, bleach, or abrasive cleansers. These cleaners are too acidic for natural stone and can damage or etch the stone (although some can help remove rust from concrete).
Naturally-occurring salts found in soil, water, sand, gravel and cement are dissolved by rain and groundwater. This moisture is drawn to the surface of the stone where it evaporates, leaving the salts behind as a white haze. Although unattractive, the process is completely natural and in no way damages the stone.
Wet & Forget Shower has been tested on ceramic, natural stone, chrome, brass, bronze, nickel, copper, acrylic, rubber, vinyl, stainless steel, granite, slate, glass tiles, cultured marble, and fiberglass. Wet & Forget is not recommended for use on natural marble.
The simplest answer is no, it is best to avoid bleach when cleaning any type of natural stone. Many home cleaning products, particularly bleach and vinegar, are too harsh or acidic to be on natural stone. These cleaners strip down the stone and leave it in a weak, damaged state.
When you purchase your new KOHLER® LuxStone shower, you'll gain access to exclusive LuxStone® shower wall designs in a variety of patterns and colors. Our shower is made of an exclusive blend of crushed stone and other natural materials for enhanced durability and low-maintenance cleaning.
Natural stone for bathroom countertops, floors, and walls is a viable option, thanks to modern sealers that reduce stone's susceptibility to water damage and staining. Natural stone may be a good choice for homeowners who want to seriously upgrade their homes with this exclusive, expensive building material.
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.
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.
We recommend purchasing a neutral PH stone cleaner and apply a few drops to the stone. If you cannot find a stone cleaner with this kind of PH level, then a mild dishwashing detergent will work. Mix it with warm water to get the best results. Clean your stone before applying seal to maximize results.
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.