How to check if my natural stone sealing is still good?

If you wish to protect your natural stone surfaces, sealing the stone surface plays a crucial role in protecting them. But you should also know whether your stone sealer still effectively protects it from potentially harmful materials. 

Granite is an absorbent natural stone. It is sealed after being cut and finished and then again after fabrication. The purpose of sealing granite is to reduce its absorbent properties not to stain or be damaged by water, oil, grease, and other substances. 

To test the sealing of your stone benchtop, you need to pour a little water on the surface in different places. It will make small puddles approximately three inches in diameter. Notice this puddle of water. If the water is absorbed before thirty minutes, the stone surface will become dark. In such a case, clean the steno and reseal it.

If the water is present after thirty minutes or evaporates without staining, the seal is in good condition, and the stone does not need to be resealed. However, if you want to go ahead and seal the stone, you can. Too much seal will not harm your stone. Alternatively, if a stain appears in less than thirty minutes, it is crucial to reseal. 

If your countertops are made of limestone, marble, or any other type of stone, you can do the same test to check the quality of the seal. Make sure you only use water. Under no circumstances should you use common household cleaners to test or clean natural stone as it can damage the seal, make the stone duller, and cause staining and etching.

Just because your natural stone countertops are correctly sealed in the first place does not mean they will not eventually absorb liquids and create stains. Frequent cleaning, especially natural stone products, is essential, and liquid spills should also be cleaned up as soon as possible. 

With regular sealing of your benchtops, in case of a spill, you have time to clean your benchtop before the stone absorbs the liquid, forming beads on the surface. If you let the liquid settle, it will start to break the seal.

Your stone sealing Melbourne professionals will recommend sealing your surfaces annually, as long as the surfaces are not severely damaged. For example, if you cook in your kitchen every day and clean the countertops every day, you may need to apply seals seasonally or twice a year.

If your natural stone surfaces require any maintenance, contact the Mirror Image Marble for stone care. The team can help you determine how often you should seal your natural stone surfaces and make them look great for decades to come.

Mirror Image Marble is Melbourne's premier stone care company. They work with a wide range of natural stones, including slate, marble, travertine, granite, limestone, and much more. Call them now for your restoration or resealing needs.