Sealing your granite countertops regularly protects the granite from stains etches and other damage.
Can you seal granite too much.
Although you may find that many countertops do not require being sealed applying a sealer is common practice.
Reseal every 6 12 months and as needed in certain areas.
The granite isn t stained.
Yes you can overseal granite.
Otherwise apply more sealer to reactivate the formula then wipe it away.
Choosing the right sealant is essential.
Many homeowners seal their granite counters once or twice a year although you can seal them more regularly if you wish because it is not possible to over seal natural stone.
If you ve got a gorgeous granite countertop and want to keep it in show home shape you may need to seal it some countertops come pre sealed but if yours did not or you re not sure.
The water test can help make sure that your granite is properly sealed and that you didn t miss any spots.
Notes and tips on sealing.
I m sure the experts will chime in with more details.
Especially with dark color stones damage may appear such as ghost water stains or water rings.
Prior to the application mask off any surfaces not intended for treatment.
For a granite countertop apply an even coat by a paint pad brush or roller and allow the sealer to penetrate the surface for 15 to 30 minutes.
The surface will need to stay dry for at least 24 hours before polishing the stone but the countertops can be used two hours after sealing.
Granite countertops like other natural stone countertop materials such as marble sandstone and slate are resistant to staining and easier to clean only when properly sealed.
If you get excess sealer on fixtures or unwanted areas wipe it away immediately if you can.
The sealer penetrates granite pores and can be effective for up to 3 5 year on interior surfaces.
After letting your granite sealer dry for 30 minutes you may want to perform the water test again especially the first few times you re seal your granite until you get the hang of it.
The deeper into the surface of the material the sealer penetrates the better it will resist stains keep out bacteria and clean up with just mild detergent and a wet wash cloth.
If you apply sealer to a stone that doesn t need it and won t absorb it some sealer will remain on the surface of the stone.
If the granite doesn t need sealer it won t absorb it and it will pool and dry on top of the granite.
Test whether the granite needs sealing.
It s possible that you already have too much sealer and that s why you re having a problem cleaning.
Make sure to seal under sink lips.
To test your surface leave a few drops of water or a wet paper towel on the granite for 10 to 15 minutes doing this in an inconspicuous area.
As a general rule you can use your granite again right away after sealing but only if you have buffed the sealer into the stone without letting it dry on the surface.