When is a right time to re-seal your marble or granite countertops? Well, that depends on the type and color of the natural stone countertop you have. Due to the characteristic of the Marble, Marble countertops need to get sealed more frequently than granite countertops. Generally, marble countertops should get re-sealed every few months, while granite countertops could go several years, before a sealing is required.
Frequency of the re-sealing also has to do with the density of the stone. The denser the granite, the less porous, and requires less frequent sealing. Darker color granite are generally denser than light color granite. Certain light color Indian granite, such as Colonial White should get sealed well.
How to test your countertops if it needs to get re-sealed:
We recommend a simple test to our clients to determine if their countertops needs to get re-sealed. Just pour some clean water on your countertop, if the sealer is still effective, the water droplets should bead up on the countertop. Let the water sit on your countertop for a few minutes, then wipe it out with a clean cloth. If you notice your countertop is darkened where the water was, that means the water has penetrated to the countertop, and your countertop needs to get re-sealed. Otherwise, your sealer is still effective and there is no need to re-seal your countertops. Don’t worry about the darkened spot. The water will eventually evaporate, and your countertop back to normal.
Do I need to get my countertops sealed professionally?
You do not have to get your countertops sealed by professionals. Currently, there are may water-based sealers in the market, that a homeowner could use. Just make sure that you buy a sealer that is food-safe and follow manufacturer’s instruction very carefully. These sealers are normally sold at Home Depot. If you do not desire to seal your countertops yourself, we could certainly provide this service. Cost of re-sealing countertop is about $5 per square foot.
Should I be sealing my Quartz Countertops?
No, you should never seal your manmade quartz countertops. Quartz countertops are non-porous and do not require sealing. However, you should not confuse Quartz with Quartzite. Quartz is a man-made stone, while Quartzite, such as Taj Mahal, is Natural Stone, and does need to get sealed.
