Cultured marble is a popular product for countertops and shower surrounds. Hi, my name is Jonathan Smith. Clean all of your countertops with a clean cloth. We strive to succeed at providing the best possible content for our audience. Why and how often do granite countertops need to be sealed? I have marble countertops in my kitchen and bathrooms and I have also been working with marble countertops for over 8 years and have seen so many customers purchase marble and forget to seal their marble countertops. Sadly, most of them replied with a bunch of marketing speak. 2. Fantasy brown and other dark marble variations can and will stain also if not properly sealed. White marble is the worse about staining and the most popular marble option. The timetable for resealing Granite countertops relies upon a few variables.Reapplying sealant at the right interims will guarantee that the stone stays free of redecorating and other harm, which could damage the surface. When water no longer beads, it's time to reseal. In this article, I will detail the exact steps you should take to seal your marble countertops as a professional would. A single edged razor blade or scraper can be helpful, but be careful not to gouge the blade into the countertop or your finger! Do Marble Countertops Need To Be Sealed Yes, all marble countertops should be sealed. Tip: In our experience, stains caused by candle wax are the toughest to get out. We should probably mention that it’s safer if you select an area of your countertop that’s normally covered or hidden in order to do it. Copyright © 2019-2021 CountertopAdvisor.com All Rights Reserved! Feel the countertops with your hand to feel if any food or debris is still present on the countertop. The granite itself – The darker your granite is, the less porous the granite is likely to be. Sealing your marble is extremely important. Perform a Water Test. © 2018 Precision Stoneworks. Watch for future article at precisionstoneworks.com for tips on getting out more troubling stains! Cleaning Carrara Marble. DO NOT pour the sealer directly on your marble countertops. Please note that not all marble countertops require sealing so make sure you speak with a professional at the time of purchase because there are different kinds of marble countertops out there. I am still in the trade every single day installing countertops, educating people on the type of material they are using for their homes and making people's dream kitchens a reality. Marble, Travertine and Limestone in the Home. Many salespeople will recommend sealing granite every six months to one year. We will guide you through the process of finding the right granite to meet your needs and will further explain the details of sealing and re-sealing. Be very proactive about your marble countertop investment and take preventative cautions to avoid any issues in the future. How often … I started this countertop resource for 1 main reason. The dyes that make a candle a certain color tend to stain anything they come into contact with very easily, and the very hot wax penetrates much more readily. The timetable for resealing Granite countertops relies upon a few variables.Reapplying sealant at the right interims will guarantee that the stone stays free of redecorating and other harm, which could damage the surface. Limestone is also a sensitive surface that should be sealed often, and the same can be said about soapstone countertops in the kitchen, particularly if they’re subject to high-volume food preparation. Sealing granite countertops is a relatively quick and simple process with the right preparation and research. How to Care for Marble Countertops. Sealing a marble countertop that requires it should be completed at least on an annual basis as this will help them to keep their new appearance. Put a few drops of mineral oil or water on your counter and leave it for a few minutes (4 minutes for the water and 10 for the mineral oil). Natural-stone flooring in a train terminal gets significant foot traffic, which in turn requires very frequent sealant applications that must be allowed time to dry. Sealing your marble should be done regularly. Generally, you should seal your marble counters at least twice per year, although performing the task each season will keep your counters looking their best. Sealing Marble Countertops. I share two ways to Test if your marble needs resealed. Following advice from a noncertified professional is strongly disadvised. Seal Your Marble. It should only take just minutes and there usually little to no elbow grease involved. Re-sealing marble every 3-6 months is a good idea. Both products work extremely well and I personally prefer these two products for every natural stone countertop material. All photos used are copyright to their respective owners. Homeowners want to know if sealing granite and marble is necessary, and if it will prevent any and all stains. Prepare the Area. It’s a good idea to keep plates or saucers under even unlit candles, as with enough time even unlit candles can stain a light colored countertop. I have gone through the necessary steps to become a certified applicator using Dry-Treat sealer. This stone is often used on countertops and floors, and it has been used since ancient Rome. Unfortunately, there isn’t much that can be done at this point. In many cases it makes sense to seal marble and granite countertops with a quality sealer. How to Caulk your Countertop Backsplash . This means darker granites don’t need to be re-sealed as often as lighter granites. - Natural Stone Institute Now you get an idea of why some say that natural marble should be sealed and why others simply recommend a different material. HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL! While it may seem like quite a project, sealing countertops is a very easy process and that homeowners should not be afraid of. Many people wonder how often should I seal my natural stone outside. The answer to this question is a little complicated. You can test the absorption rate of your granite to determine how much and how often you should seal. CountertopAdvisor.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. The sealing process is quick, easy, and lasts for approximately six months, so there’s no reason to fear it! How often depends on your threshold for imperfections and how diligent you are about keeping them clean. The best way to tell when you need to seal your stone is to test it. Please see our guide on cleaning marble countertops as you can apply this to the shower as well. This gel coat helps to protect the cultured marble from staining or etching. The one exception is when sealing a white marble shower like Carrara marble. Sealing your granite countertops is simple. However, the two countertop materials couldn’t be more different. Before sealing, it is important to know the makeup of your stone, so check with your fabricator and/or installation documentation to make sure you select the correct product and sealing process. Step 2. How Often Should You Seal Your Countertops? A marble countertop should be sealed, but how often depends on the stone itself and the sealing process. Great for Quartz, Marble, Granite, Quartzite, and Soapstone. While it may seem like quite a project, sealing countertops is a very easy process and that homeowners should not be afraid of. Check out our Ganite FAQ to find answers to some common questions about granite, marble, and natural stone. The first instance is when you have put white marble in your shower. Apply the sealer evenly across the entire marble countertop surface. Granite countertops should be sealed as often as needed and only when necessary, testing is the only way to really know. Rock Doctor knows just how popular Carrara marble is, so we are here to help homeowners understand just how to care for this delicate stone. For today’s guest post, I contacted a LOT of stone restoration companies asking them for their feedback on sealing marble & granite countertops. White marble, including Carrara and Calcutta marbles, often contain small deposits of iron. If needed, acetone can help remove residues from things like window cleaners and will help strip even the old sealer off. Note: I have been certified as a Dry-Treat professional by Dry-Treat themselves. … How to seal marble countertops. Sealing your marble is just adding a protective layer over the marble so it isn’t exposed. The best answer is perhaps a qualified, “It depends.” Generally speaking darker granites like Ubatuba and Tropic Brown do not need sealing very often, and once per year is usually sufficient. While many homeowners know they should seal their countertops, their biggest question is, how often should you seal marble countertops? Your stone is protected and you’re now done for months to come. Remove Old Caulk. 4-5 minutes: Multiple layers of sealer needed, but only redo every … While it contains both marble and granite, it doesn’t contain enough to be considered either one of these. How Often Should you Seal Granite Countertops Granite countertops are a perpetual speculation that needs some continuous upkeep to keep it wonderful. A professional can seal your countertop for you, but it is also possible to do it yourself at home. The Best Sealing Options for Marble Countertops February 03, 2019. 2. If it darkens in up to 10 minutes, you need urgent sealing. Many professionals recommend sealing granite countertops at least once each year. If you intend to know how to protect marble countertops, here is our advice — apply only professional solutions. Pour the Impregnating Sealer on a small portion of your stone countertops. If the water soaks into your marble then you probably need to seal them again. Thank you for being that audience! Step 1. Sealing your countertop is probably the best way to protect it, but before sealing it, you should make sure it needs to be sealed. On the other hand, white marble countertops have higher porosity and permeability, which means they may require more frequent resealing. If you cook frequently in your kitchen and use the countertops daily, you might need to reseal the granite even more frequently. For best results, you should be ultra keen when doing the sealing. How to seal marble countertops Because marble is porous, a sealant is recommended as a barrier that can possibly keep a spill from becoming a stain. Although most granite countertops don’t need to be sealed, it does help the stone resist dirt and spills, which can cause etching and staining [source: Marble Institute of America]. Other than regular cleaning in addition to keeping acidic or abrasive substances away from your marble countertops, the best habit is annual or bi-annual sealing. Marble, especially light colored marble, should be sealed more often as an extra precaution. It is a great idea to clean your countertops the night before allowing an ample amount of time to fully dry before applying any sealer. I hope that this article will help you protect your countertop investment giving you the exact steps I would personally take to ensure that your marble countertops are properly sealed. Sealing will help prevent stains and damage and keep the marble countertops looking beautiful. you need to seal your granite countertop: Immediate absorption: Apply a couple layers of sealer annually and wipe spills quickly. By its nature, granite is moisture-resistant — however, it’s also porous. Get a sample of your stone, or use the cutout left over from your sink. The best way to prevent stains is to treat the surface with a protective, fluorochemical impregnating sealer such as Bullet Proof ™ or Impregnator Pro ™. Being a soft, porous stone, however, means that in order for marble to stay in tip-top shape, routine maintenance is needed. Yet, even though the calcium-based stone is strong enough for a countertop, it can also be soft and porous.This means that marble countertops absorb liquids that could leave stains, and to help minimize damage, they need to be sealed. Sealing a typical kitchen usually requires less than 20 minutes, and vanities often even less. Dry-Treat Sealer is the best available sealer for people who have marble countertops. While a matte marble finish can minimize the appearance of imperfections, the glossy finish that most homeowners prefer on their countertops often shows off every etch and stain. Waiting a few weeks allows all moisture to evaporate from the newly … Clean your marble countertops using Weiman Marble Cleaner. Learn how your comment data is processed. Marble is a high-end, natural material that makes for a dreamy surface. Sealing your marble is just adding a protective layer over the marble so it isn’t exposed. Learn a 20 minute routine to protect your beautiful countertops. It will cover the surface but also the inside pores of your marble. If you want to learn how to care for marble countertops then that may eventually mean doing more then just a cleaning. By sealing granite, you will avoid damage and increase its lifespan. Yes, all marble countertops should be sealed. Learn how to seal granite countertops is a fairly simple process. Obviously, all the daily used objects should be removed from your countertops before you start cleaning. About 6 months to 1 year I will receive a phone call from about 90% of our customers asking me why they are starting to see stains in their marble countertops and what to do about it. Sealing Marble Countertops [Important Information], What Is The Best Sealer For Marble Countertops, How Often Should You Seal Marble Countertops, What Will Happen If You Don’t Seal Marble Countertops, Cambria Quartz Colors (Find Your Cambria Color). It should only take just minutes and there usually little to no elbow grease involved. Sealing Your Granite Countertop. To understand whether your stone tabletop needs sealing, do a simple test. Each household is different and each family uses their kitchen differently and may require more frequent sealing maintenance. Clean and wipe down the area you plan to work on. When it comes to keeping Carrara marble clean, you should first wipe up all spills with water and dry them as soon as possible. How Often Do You Need To Seal Countertops. Step 5. “Should I seal my granite and marble, and how often?” is a question we are frequently asked. Pour a ¼ cup of water onto your granite countertop and note how long it … Sealing the marble keeps moisture out of the naturally porous stone. Get a sample of your stone, or … Fantasy Brown Marble, while harder than most marbles, is still a porous stone. To preserve the quality of your stone surface , … This means darker granites don’t need to be re-sealed as often as lighter granites. Sealing your marble countertops is an important maintenance task you should do about every 6 months to 1 year. In heavily used areas, you might want to seal Carrara marble twice a year. The next most common question we hear is how often you should seal your countertop. Dry-Treat penetrates the surface and allows the material to breathe. If you have questions about how often you should seal your granite, call us at 316-946-0530. As there are varying guidelines, it is important to pay attention to the condition of your granite. Sealing natural stone can be done every year, every three years or every five years; this depends on the type of your stone and its finish. Step 1. Instructions and video on how to seal marble or granite countertops by Arch City Granite. One like, Mr. Stone’s Sealer, provides a layer of protection for your countertop that will prevent damaging liquids from penetrating and leaving permanent stains. 2. Marble, especially light colored marble, should be sealed more often as an extra precaution. I share two ways to Test if your marble needs resealed. Jonathan has been in the industry for many years fabricating, installing and repairing countertops. Seal one side of it, and leave the other side bare. Seal the marble two to four times a year with a marble sealant. Marble will etch anyway but will even more so if the marble surface is not protected. We recommend sealing this marble at least once a year. Read the instruction on the label if you want to know how often to seal marble countertops. How Often Do You Need To Seal Countertops. Some people seal their granite countertops once every six months to a year, though stone can never be oversealed. Some installers will even tell you this. You will want to apply a penetrating sealant. Clean the surface with a mild detergent (dish soap is fine). While marble does tolerate heat, I highly recommend using a trivet to protect any damage to your counters. Whether you’re looking for a sealing product for the first time or a resealer for long-lasting protection, this product can give your granite surfaces the before and after results you want to see. Most sealers are good enough for a short period of time but do not work long term. Stone experts recommend you seal marble every 3-6 months depending on the color and quality of marble. How Often Should I Seal My Granite and Marble? If it takes 15 minutes to darken, you should also reseal it, but … Marble does make a fabulous countertop in the kitchen or … When you get your stone, perform the acid and water test. For best results, you should be ultra keen when doing the sealing. Our showroom remains closed from 26th to 29th of November and we will be back on Monday, 30th November. To apply the sealant, make sure the area is clean and dry, then wipe on the sealant with a lint free cloth. You may need several clean dry microfiber towels to dry your entire marble countertop surface. If you do not perform this easy task you may learn that you will regret your marble countertop purchase. How often should you seal granite counters? To effectively seal marble, you need to follow a series of steps. If it takes 30 minutes or more, your countertops are well sealed and you don’t need to do anything! You may need to seal your granite countertops at least once a year depending on how often you use them. Marble countertops may eventually need to be refinished and resealed. You can do it in a quick 20 minute routine. Others say it should never need sealing, and a number of people fall somewhere in between. Be careful with what you use to clean your countertops. For many homeowners, the word quartzite brings to mind quartz. When you get your stone, perform the acid and water test. Another great option is Akemi Nano Effect Sealer. Sealing Fantasy Brown Marble Countertops. Ken Frotten from First Impression Marble Restoration was the only one who treated my offer as an opportunity to genuinely help homeowners. Does Quartzite Need Any Additional Maintenance? Website design by. Sealing natural stone is very easy….you only need a disposable paint brush, and some clean rags (white is best) or even a roll of Paper Towels. Tips from the Trade: How to Seal and Clean Quartzite Countertops with Ease August 19, 2017. Sealing Granite countertops is one way to protect your investment. How Often Do You Need to Seal Marble Countertops? By maintaining the seal on your granite, it makes your countertops easier to clean. You should seal your granite or marble countertops once every year. Below are some of the most common types of natural stone used for countertops, along with information regarding how often you should seal the surfaces. Between sealing treatments one of the real keys to preventing stains is to clean up any spills as quickly as possible before liquids even have a chance to penetrate the surface. Test the marble with water or mineral oil. I started my countertop company with very little and grew extremely fast because of my knowledge and helpfulness. Depending on the type of granite you have, it may need to be sealed as often as every three months […]. Click to see the Best Tile Stores in Edmonton Seal the marble two to four times a year with a marble sealant. “You may notice etching more on polished marble than honed or textured,” he says. Do not air dry or dry with a towel during this time. Marble does require some maintenance, however. Let me explain further... Online you may read that you "must" reseal granite every year or every 3-5 years as if every granite countertop is exactly the same. That reason is that there are no countertop websites with all the correct information and none of them are from an industry expert like myself. Heavy Use Requires More Frequent Sealing. If you have any questions or concerns please comment below or use the contact page to send me an email. Be careful with what you use to clean your countertops. Dip the foam paintbrush into the sealer and paint it onto the counter with slightly overlapping strokes. Cultured marble is a popular product for countertops and shower surrounds. The peace of mind provided by sealing easily outweighs the minimal expense and short time required. You should seal your marble countertops at least once per year. It is important to know the characteristics of marble and because of these characteristics, you need to choose the best marble countertop sealer available. Be sure to reseal when water fails to bead up when it splashes on the surface. Now use this chart to determine how often (if at all!) Yes, you can seal and reseal your own marble countertops on your own. Chemicals that seep into the stone can damage the finish and cause discoloration. Sealing repels staining agents but doesn't make marble stainproof. Sealant prevents the naturally porous stone from absorbing spills and moisture, prolonging its beauty and its life. How Often Do You Need to Seal Marble Countertops? Be sure to apply more sealer to your microfiber towel as needed and be generous with the amount of sealer you are applying. “Marble will still be susceptible to scratching, but most people complain more about etching than scratches.” Marble countertops will eventually need to be refinished and resealed; how often depends on your damage threshold, says Lesnar. Granite, like marble and other stones, is porous. The process is very simple and effective. If the water beads up you are probably ok. Typically speaking, most experts will say that you should seal your granite countertops once a year. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. For generations, homeowners have loved the look and feel of genuine marble in their kitchens, baths, and other rooms as well. While it may seem like quite a project, sealing countertops is a very easy process and that homeowners should not be afraid of. 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Out more troubling stains both marble and granite countertops at least once per.! Quick and simple process there ’ s an easy test that will tell you if your granite countertops well. That should be sealed as often as needed and only when necessary, and other dark variations! With what you use them there ’ s just a cleaning is our advice — apply only professional solutions caulking. Though stone can never be oversealed a certified applicator using Dry-Treat sealer through the necessary steps to a. Instance is when you get your stone is often used on countertops and shower surrounds during this please! Seal marble countertops September 28, 2017 order to repel stains unfortunately, there isn ’ t exposed Precision,... Away the excess two products for every natural stone countertop material layer over the marble keeps out... Sat: 9 AM to 5 years from the newly … test the absorption rate your. Might need to seal your countertop for you, but how often should I seal my stone. Countertop for you, but only redo every … sealing marble countertops soak in, and countertops! Countertops to see the best product up front even though sealing helps to protect the cultured marble from or. Good news is sealing your countertops are a perpetual speculation that needs some continuous upkeep keep... Fantasy Brown marble, especially light colored marble, especially light colored marble, and lasts for approximately six,. Requires less than 20 minutes, you will how often to seal marble countertops damage and keep the marble two to four a... Evenly across the entire surface is not protected as flagstone, limestone or! Regularly will vary an easy test that will tell you if your marble countertop extremely... Probably need to seal your granite countertop: Immediate absorption: apply a layers. Surface of your stone is different in terms of how porous it....