Do I have to “seal” my granite countertops?
This is one of the most common conversations we have with homeowners when they come choose their granite.
Our industry association, The Marble Institute of America, states “Sealing is a common step taken on some stones as an extra precaution against staining. In fact, the sealing products used in the stone industry are “impregnators” which do not actually seal the stone, but more correctly act as a repellent rather than a sealer. Sealing does not make the stone stain proof, rather it makes the stone more stain resistant. Applying an impregnating sealer is a common practice.”
Some stones may require more sealing than others depending on the density of the stone and/or treatment at the polishing factory.
Most of the granite slabs that we stock have a resin sealer that has been baked into the slab. We apply a premium grade stone impregnator/sealer on all stone whether it is resined or not.
If water darkens the stone, this is a good indication that you need to apply more sealer. Applying sealer is simple, generally you wipe it on (give it a chance to penetrate) and wipe off the excess after a few minutes.
When considering sealing, remember that sealing the stone does not make the stone stain proof, it makes it more resistant to staining.
Why not take a few extra minutes, once or twice a year, to protect your investment?
There are several brands of sealer available at your local home improvement store, online, or you may purchase DuPont Bulletproof at Kitchen Creations, Inc.