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.
Because they are porous, natural stone tiles should be sealed with a penetrating sealer. Penetrating sealers, like Miracle Plus 511 Porous Plus, penetrate tiles to repel moisture from within, and prevent staining while still allowing vapors to escape.
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.
How Often Should You Seal Your Natural Stone Countertops? Unfortunately, not all stones are created equal. The specific material you choose for your countertops will influence how frequently your countertops will need to be resealed. As a general rule of thumb, we recommend resealing every 2-3 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.
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.
Each type of stone is different, and they each need to be treated as such, but because all natural stone is porous, a penetrating and non-film forming sealer should be used so that it can penetrate deep within the stone and repel water from more than just the surface layer.
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.
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.
If you purchase a high-quality slab countertop , you can feel confident that for potentially 50 years you will not need to replace it if you keep up with basic maintenance. The harder and less porous your natural stone the better the durability and life expectancy.
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.
Natural Stone, which includes marble, travertine, limestone, granite, onyx, quartzite, and is even part of some terrazzo contains pores. These pores are the openings in the stone that allow it to “breathe” and release moisture and gas. If your natural stone does not breathe it will eventually deteriorate and stain.
Impregnating sealers (also known as penetrating sealers) are designed to penetrate below the surface and protect from within the stone while still allowing the miniscule pores of the stone to allow moisture vapor to escape.
Quartz countertops are the easiest natural stone to take care of. They are engineered using ground stone and resin, so they don't require regular sealing they way most granite and marble countertops do. This stone is non-porous, so it does not easily stain or etch.
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.
The Difference Between Manufactured Stone and Natural Stone
Natural stone is heavier in weight, making it difficult to transport. Manufactured stone requires less installation time while also being cost-effective. Manufactured stone creates less waste than natural stone. Manufactured stone adheres to multiple surfaces.
The weight of the natural stone is heavier than artificial stone, and therefore its use in the building is time-consuming. Climate and environmental changes affect the texture of the rock and cause cracking, mildew, and dandruff on the surface.
And while natural stone would seem to fit the bill, it's important to keep in mind that stone quarrying has both aesthetic and environmental impacts on the earth, including erosion. It can also require a good deal more energy to transport to job sites because of its weight.
ROUTINE CARE
Natural stone countertops and floors should be cleaned with neutral cleaners specifically designed for stone. These cleaners are concentrated pH neutral cleaners that will not affect existing sealers or other types of coatings. Stone cleaners should never contain acid or bleach.
All natural stone tiles, whether polished, honed, or tumbled, are porous and require sealing before grouting. This essential step fills the pores with a protective sealer, preventing grout particles from causing a hazy surface appearance on your tiles.
Any material – including granite and marble – will fade in sunlight if it hasn't been rated specifically for UV exposure. Here's a quick rundown of the science behind UV rays and surface discolouration.
Unfortunately, sealing natural stone is a relatively frequent chore. Depending on the type of stone, it could be required as often as every six months. If an impregnating sealant is used, it may only be required only every one to three years.
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.
Once you finish your application, keep family members, pets, & yourself out of the area while it cures. Sealer takes 24–72 hours to fully cure, but you can resume normal use after just 6–8 hours. Put a reminder in your phone or planner to reseal your surfaces again next year.