Tips You Should Know Before Sealing Your Granite Countertops

Granite countertops are beautiful when installed, but you actually need to take care of them. One of the things you need to do periodically is sealing, and should be done every 1 1/2 years to 2 years, depending on the usage.

It's important to remember that after installing your countertops, the company that has installed them should seal them for you. Marble & Granite Express pays great attention to this detail that might seem so little, but it's actually a huge deal. If you notice that your countertop installer doesn't seal them, you want to make sure you hold them accountable.

Today we're going to bring for you some tips that you should know before sealing your countertops.

1. Understanding granite

It's important to keep in mind that granite is a porous material, although it's a hard and durable stone. What this means is that if your granite countertops aren't sealed, spills can get in the pores on the stone, which can damage the stone, and of course, stain it. That's why it's important to keep your countertops sealed. If you can't get your hands on a commercial-grade sealant, don't worry, a sealer from your local hardware store like Lowes or Home Depot will do.

2. Check the condition of your granite countertops

To see if the sealant on your granite countertops has worn off, do a "water test". In order to perform this test, take 1/4 cup of water and pour it on the countertop. If the water stays "beaded" on top of the countertop, that means that the sealant is still effective, therefore it's not necessary to be resealed yet. If the water appears to seep into the countertop, or if you notice a dark spot on the countertop, this is a good indicator that your countertops need resealing. Another thing to keep in mind is to do the test in an a back area of your countertops, where it won't matter if the water leaves a dark spot, for example under your microwave.

3. Cleaning practices

Even though we recommend that you seal your granite countertops every year and a half to two years, it's important to practice safe cleaning methods in your everyday use. For example, if you spill something on your granite countertops, make sure you clean it up right away. There's some hard liquids, such as acids like tomato juice, that will still get in the pores of your stone, even though it might be sealed. Another thing that can dull your countertops is bleach. If however you do end up leaving a stain on your countertop, you can make a paste of water and baking soda, then gently rub it into the stain with a soft cloth, and then rinse thoroughly. Keep in mind that you might need to repeat this process a few times, depending on how stubborn the stain is.

4. Make sure your sealers are safe to use

When picking up a sealer from your local hardware store, make sure you take a look at the ingredients. Stay away from harsh chemicals that can cause irritation or emit strong odors. Make sure also that the sealant you use shouldn't require you to use a mask or gloves to apply. Harsh chemicals can cause long-lasting damage to your natural stone.

That's all we've got for you today, and remember that if you're in the southeastern Michigan, Marble & Granite Express is one of the few 5-star rated company on Google, Facebook and Yelp, because our main goal is quality, not quantity.