Is it Time to Seal My Granite Countertop?

As a natural stone, granite is porous and as such, it can absorb liquids. One way to prevent this from happening is to seal it. It is also one reason why people often disregard natural stone as an option for their countertop upgrade. 

Sealing granite, however, is a very easy process that only takes minutes. What surprises people is that this is a process that may not be necessary for years after having a granite countertop installed. There is one very easy way to test if your natural stone needs sealing. 

TESTING THE STONE:

1. Clean up your countertop surface with mild soap and water. (This should be a part of daily maintenance in the kitchen).
2. Wipe the surface dry
3. Pour a quarter-size drop of water on the surface in a few spots. Particularly test a busy area where you often prep food.
4. Let it sit for about 20 minutes.
5. If after 20 minutes the water is still beading off, your countertop is fine. It does not need to be sealed.
   If the stone absorbed the water, it is time to seal it.

We sealed the left side of the stone and left the right side untreated. Then we performed the water test.

After 20 minutes, the sealed section continues to repel the water, whereas the unsealed area absorbed it and temporarily left a darkened spot just below the surface.

THE SEALING PROCESS:

1. Purchase a Natural Stone sealer from any hardware store. 
2. Follow the instructions on the product as to how to use it.
   
   Typically you prep the stone by deep cleaning the surface, then apply the sealer with a soft cloth,  rub the sealer in, let it dry and buff it out. 

Test the stone every 3 months or so to see if it needs to be re-sealed. Depending on the type of natural stone and how it gets used, the need to seal it could be as often as annually to as few times as every 7 years or so. Keep performing the water drop test as that is the definitive way to tell.

OFTEN USED QUESTIONS:

What happens if you do not seal the stone, yet it should be sealed?

A "thirsty" stone will absorb liquids and foreign substances which can weaken the stone and potentially lead to the growth of bacteria. The stone will appear stained (darkened) and while water will likely evaporate quickly, other substances may not.

Is it possible to overseal the stone?

Absolutely. Excessive attempts at sealing could create a residue film build-up. 

Does sealing make the stone shinier?

No. It has no effect on the glossiness of the stone. In fact, oversealing does the opposite. Excessive sealing can actually dull the surface.

I believe my stone may have been oversealed. Is there a way to fix it?

Yes, but we suggest using a professional. You can contact us to perform it for you. 

I bought a house that has stone countertops. I don't know if they are quartz or granite. How can I tell?

The best way to tell is to look under the cabinets the material sits on top of. If you see a manufacturing stamp, it is quartz. Granite does not come stamped. We have provided easy ways to tell what your countertop is made of.