It is as easy as using water to test to see if your granite counter top needs sealing.
One of the most effective ways to discover when to seal granite countertops is to perform the water test. If you have stone counters, follow these steps to find out their resistance to water before applying a sealant:
-
Fill about a quarter cup of clean tap water.
-
Use a timer on your phone or a stopwatch to keep time.
-
Pour a little bit of water onto your granite countertop, enough to make a pool the size of your hand. You might want to pour it in a few different areas across the counter to test the whole surface’s porosity.
-
Once you pour the water, start the timer on your smartphone or stopwatch.
-
Wait about a half-hour or until the granite counter top has absorbed all the water.
-
If the granite counter top surface immediately takes in most of the water and develops a dark mark or ring, you need to seal it once every few months.
-
If it takes a few minutes for your stone countertop to soak up all the water, you only need to seal it once every year or two.
-
You probably don’t need to reseal your granite countertops if they don’t absorb the water in a half-hour.
-
Test your stone surfaces about once a year to make sure the seal maintains its integrity.
When testing your granite countertops’ porosity, you must use water instead of other liquids. Some types of granite are sensitive to acidic materials like lemon juice. Instead of using lemons on your stone surfaces to discover their resistance to acidic materials, it’s best to reach out to the manufacturer for more information.
There are two types of sealant commonly used on granite countertops. Topical sealers coat the granite with a protective layer, while impregnating sealers soak into the stone and fill up the pores that can absorb liquids and stains. Impregnating sealers tend to last longer than topical, but both kinds will need to be reapplied every year or two as they break down.
Color enhancers are applied like topical sealers, but they don’t provide the same protection. Their purpose is to make the granite look glossy and “wet,” and bring out the natural color of the stone. You can also use a color enhancer to mask damage caused by etching.Additionally, color enhancers can improve the look of certain granite finishes, such as leathered or honed granite, which have a matte, dull finish.
You can use a color enhancer on your granite worktop in tandem with a sealant, but it shouldn’t be considered a replacement to properly sealing the stone.
When applying an impregnator sealant to your granite counter top it is crucial to apply the sealer evenly and not let it dry on the surface. Sealer is designed to work within the pours of your granite counter top. If it dries on the surface the granite will have a real challenge on your hands. Impregnator sealant works great as a sealant to protect the granite counter top, but it works poorly when on the top.