Granite Sealer Guide To Sealing Granite & Marble Countertops

The topic of granite sealers and sealing natural stone is full of controversy and confusion. One of the main reasons for this is the fact that most people (including many fabricators and installers) do not understand...

Now, to be fair, many recommendations are knowingly made based on client expectations and peace of mind rather than a real need for sealing granite countertops or other natural stone.

On this page, I will do my best to lay out the whole picture, reasons for or against sealing granite and marble and why, so you can make an informed decision for yourself.

Myth #1:

A sealer will only slow down the natural rate at which a stone absorbs a liquid.

Some stones are so dense (soapstone, many granites, some travertines, etc.) that liquids just cannot penetrate... or stain... while others will stain if a spill isn't wiped up immediately.

So, a sealer does not provide an absolutely impenetrable shell (which is the common perception)... it simply gives you more time to clean up the mess before it stains and keeps the stain near the surface, so it can be more easily removed if a stain does occur.

Now next-generation sealers like SenGuard Permanent Bond Sealer represent a big jump forward with chemical properties that form permanent bonds with the stone and actually repel liquids to make stains nearly impossible. Theoretically, if say a leaky bottle of oil is left on the surface for days it could still absorb enough to stain since sealers work by dramatically reducing absorption and not by forming impenetrable shells.

However, under "normal" circumstances most liquids and oils will evaporate before staining when a top sealer has been properly applied.

Interesting: Polishing stone also helps to decrease the absorbency rate, but this is not the main reason to do it.

Polishing brings out the color in a stone. However, a polish can wear off, so it's not recommended for floors unless you don't mind the extra work and expense to keep it looking good like you see in hotels and corporate office lobbies.

Myth #2:

Completely and totally false. The shine or "polish" on the surface of any stone is created by intense friction using diamond abrasives. It's a mechanical process and not a chemical one.

Chemicals however, particularly acids (like liquor, vinegar, coffee, sodas) can damage or essentially remove the polish on certain calcite based stones like marble, travertine and limestone.

It's a reaction between the calcite and the acid. It's called "etching" and it's the primary reason such stones are not recommended for use in the kitchen and why you should do the Lemon Juice Test on a sample of the exact stone prior to purchase and/or installation.

The "stains" that result are the clear or lighter colored "water spots" or "glass rings" that are commonly reported with such stones. But they are not "stains." Nothing is absorbed into the stone.

It is physical damage to the surface of the stone. Luckily, most cases of etching are mild to moderate and can be repaired using a special marble polishing etch remover.

However, if severe enough your only option is to call in a professional to re-polish the surface. And that's the answer to....

Myth #3:

Sealing has absolutely nothing to do with etching and will not prevent it at all.

Only using coasters, trivets, place mats and completely avoiding contact with the acidic and alkaline foods and products will prevent etching.

What Should You Do?

As a general rule, granite sealer should be applied to all natural stones. However, this does not mean that "every granite and stone must be sealed"... not true... but when necessary...

I recommend Stone Sentry or SenGuard Sealers available at the Stone Care Center.

Many dark-colored denser granites (browns, blues, blacks) do not require sealing... often travertine, limestone and many marbles don't need sealing especially when polished and neither does soapstone (although sealing and/or oiling is recommended mainly for cosmetic reasons).

Again, this is not a hard and fast rule. It depends on several factors (more below). That's why you need to test to determine when applying a granite countertop sealer is appropriate.

And Not Do...

You should not apply a granite sealer to a stone that does not need it "just to be safe".

Testing will also help you avoid applying a sealer to a stone that cannot absorb it.

Applying a granite sealer to dense granites or polished travertine or marble when testing shows you should not only creates a problem you definitely don't want.

If applied to such stones, the sealer does not absorb, just sits on the surface, dries and creates a hazy, streaky mess. It can be stripped off, but what it's a pain. Best to test!

How Often To Re-Seal

Frequency of granite sealer re-application really depends on four variables:

Light colored granites and un-polished (honed, tumbled) softer stones such as marble, some travertine and limestone and onyx may need sealing every 1-3 years.

Dark colored granites as noted in the greens, browns, blues and blacks can be sealed less frequently: every 3-5+ years or . . . not at all. But remember, it depends on your particular stone and sealant, so be sure test a sample.

All sealers are not equal and a few are able to protect your countertops for 10 to 15 years when properly maintained.

Again, it also depends on the porosity of the stone and how well the sealant is applied. Impregnating sealers do break down and degrade over time (except the permanent bonding SenGuard Sealer which does not degrade requiring only one effective application) and it's certainly much easier and far less expensive to re-seal your stone pro-actively rather than paying for the hassle of removing stains or marble restoration.

But you don't have to guess, worry or consider any of the above factors. Again, all you have to do is water test the surface. This simple sealer test sums it all up and tells you if you should apply a granite sealer or not either initially or for re-application.

Sealing Is Simple

In reality, sealing your stone countertops is a simple wipe on, wipe off procedure. It's not complicated and no special knowledge is required except the ability to follow some simple instructions. So relax. You have nothing to worry about.

The key is to completely remove any sealer residue from the surface after it has absorbed into the pores below the surface saturating the stone, but before it dries.

Helpful Tip: Consistently using a specially formulated natural stone cleaner like STONE PLUS Cleaner, as I recommend, will reduce the frequency of re-sealing required.

This type of product can be used weekly or for end of day cleaning to keep your countertops shiny and streak-free.

Quartz vs. Granite

First of all, the makers of quartz countertops have made a much bigger issue out of applying granite sealer than it really is.

Quartz countertops are excellent (we highly recommend them as essentially equal to granite) and you can't blame them for trying to effectively market their product, but the issue of sealing and granite counter top care is really a minor advantage of quartz when compared with the advantages granite has in natural beauty, uniqueness, the quality and quantity of colors and patterns available and the ability to make repairs if needed, which is not possible with quartz.

All other qualities and characteristics of each product are the same. After all, engineered stone is 93% quartz which comes from granite.

Even though Silestone, Zodiac, Cambria and other makers of quartz counter tops try to convince you that applying granite sealer is a complicated hassle--it just isn't true. It's only a marketing story. True it's one less task and expense, however.....

Applying granite sealer is a simple procedure and you should not let it be a factor when deciding whether to install granite or quartz counter tops. And truth be told... it is possible to stain quartz and the resin in quartz is more susceptible to heat damage than granite.

Bottom line is that the differences between granite and quartz are so insignificant that you should simply install the color and pattern you like best whether granite or quartz.

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QUESTION: I just had a new counter top installed, made of Typhoon Bordeaux Granite. I did the water drop test, and it appears to pass with no apparent ...

Professional Granite Floor Cleaning Not rated yet
QUESTION: I have a multi-coloured granite floor. When I bought the house, it was all shiny. Now it has waxy looking build-ups, and I swear there are ...

Spotty Granite Sealer Not rated yet
QUESTION: My countertop was installed this past week, I noticed right away that it looked "water spotty" or like the sealer dried spotty (only can see ...

Granite Countertop Repair Rough Pitted Patches Not rated yet
Complete details and granite countertop repair advice for pits, chips, rough patches, bad countertop slabs, gritty granite countertops

Do Granite Countertops Need Sealing
How to know... do granite countertops need sealing, sealing granite countertops myths, testing for sealing granite, re-applying impregnating sealers

Sealed Honed Black Granite Water Spots Not rated yet
QUESTION: Hello-
I recently had honed granite in Aracruz black installed for my kitchen countertops. The installer told me that they applied a sealer ...

Sealing Honed Black Granite Not rated yet
QUESTION: Not sure exactly, it's black or more dark smoky gray. We got it a rem sale. It's honed (or not polished to a sheen.) We'd like to seal it, but ...

Sealant Removal Not rated yet
QUESTION: Ok so here's the problem, the place that installed our granite had us purchase a sealant, they told me to put two coats on thick and let it ...

Wrong Sealer on White Marble? Not rated yet
QUESTION: Hi- A few days ago I installed a white marble top, and used translucent phenoseal. Unfortunately, the sealant darkened the top. It might not ...

Sealing Granite Floors Around Leaky Toilet Not rated yet
QUESTION: Our small bathroom was just redone with full sheets of granite, (avoiding the leaks, we had before), to our surprise we found that water seeps ...

Removing Granite Sealer Residue Left By Installer Not rated yet
QUESTION: Our installer put on a sealer on our Emerald Green granite after completing the installation with instructions to wipe it off the next day ...

Sealing Blues In The Night Granite Not rated yet
QUESTION: Just reading about the sealing fiasco of this particular granite I am wondering how it is protected from stains without a sealer?? I just ordered ...

Removing Sealant Film on Black Granite Not rated yet
QUESTION: I have new granite - Absolute Black - the installer applied a liberal coat of sealer, then told me that it would be up to me to buff it off ...

Removing Sealant Residue from Tumbled Stone Not rated yet
QUESTION: I've used impregnating miracle sealer enhancer on my dore royal backsplash tiles. It left residue making the tiles look cloudy and dirty. What ...

Re-Sealing Granite Counters Not rated yet
QUESTION: We had granite counters installed about 1 year ago. The granite was called Lava (primarily charcoal with russet streaks and cream colored patches)...

Ink Stained Granite Not rated yet
QUESTION: My piece of granite counter has been stored outside in the weather in WI for the last 2 years and is stained with printer's ink from a flexo ...

Non-Slip Treatment Not rated yet
QUESTION: Can a granite be flamed to give it the non-slip look/effect?

ANSWER: If you are asking if a "flamed" finish on granite will make the surface ...

New Marble Has Steaks Not rated yet
QUESTION: I have just had marble tile (arrabescato carrara; honed) installed in our bathroom and it has a dull, streaky appearance. My guess is that ...

Sealing Red Palladio Not rated yet
QUESTION: I see that you say some darker stones may not need to be sealed. What do you suggest for Red Palladio, since it isn't a true granite? Thanks ...

Sealing and Cleaning Black Honed Granite Not rated yet
QUESTION: Should honed black granite be sealed and what is the best way to clean it. It is on a bar and also surrounding my gas cook top. Thank you, Ramona
...

Sealing Santa Cecilia Granite Not rated yet
QUESTION: Is it necessary to seal santa cecilia granite countertops in kitchen?

ANSWER: Yes, you will probably need to seal it, but you should test ...

Repair Pitting/Chipping of Blue Pearl Granite Not rated yet
QUESTIONS: Our Blue Pearl Granite had some pits when installed but now it seems to have more after a year of use. Is this normal? Is one type of granite ...

Sealing Black Granite Tiles Not rated yet
QUESTION: My husband and I installed black granite tiles on our countertop, ourselves. Not sure the color of black etc? Do we need to do a one-time sealant?...

Remove Dry Sealer Off Polished Marble Not rated yet
QUESTION: I had just closed on a new home. I had upgraded my bathroom shower wall to marble (BOTTICINO FIORITO). The marble is polished. I decided to ...

Sealing Antique Brown Granite Not rated yet
QUESTION: I have recently just had Antique Brown granite countertops installed in my kitchen. Every time I (or the kids) leave a wet glass or other item ...

Sealing Light Color Granite Not rated yet
QUESTION: We had a light color granite top installed in a new house. It was sealed at the installers shop. After we moved in. Red wine was spilled on ...

removing lime build up from granite Not rated yet
QUESTION: I have two year old dark (not black, more gray,black,white and rust). The lime deposits have built up around the faucet and the usual methods ...

Sealing Tumble Marble Shower Not rated yet
QUESTION: I am about to install tumbled marble, creamy colored, in my shower surround and bathroom floor. My installer said not to seal it-- is he correct?...

Removing Granite Sealer Not rated yet
QUESTION: We put a sealer on that did not smooth out. Now we are trying to remove the sealer and it's proving to be very difficult. We are afraid we ...

Sealing Blue Pearl Not rated yet
QUESTION: I have Blue Pearl granite countertops. What product is best for sealing this granite?

ANSWER: NONE! Blue Pearl is very dense, not very ...

How To Strip Sealer Not rated yet
QUESTION: I have Black Galaxy which I (unfortunately) already sealed with Tenax Ager/sealer (the one that darkens the stone). Now, of course, I have ...

Spotty Granite Countertops Not rated yet
QUESTION: We just purchased a home with what they call UPGRADED GRANITE but when you are at certain angles and the light hits it the right way it looks ...

Sealing Uba Tuba Granite and Ceramic Tiles Not rated yet
QUESTION: Should I seal Uba Tuba granite counter top and what kind of sealant should I use? Should ceramic ...

Restoring Antique Marble Table Not rated yet
QUESTION: I purhcased an antique table with a light coloured marble top. The shine is diminished in some areas. How can I restore the shine?

ANSWER:...

Sealing Black Pearl Granite Not rated yet
QUESTION: We installed Black Pearl granite about 10 months ago. We have very hard water in this area and I believe this is what causes the gritty buildup ...

Sealing Black Galaxy Problem Not rated yet
QUESTION: I have black galaxy granite countertops and my wife decided to seal the countertop... and it dried with streaks and looks like crap. I tried ...

Granite Sealer Guide

Sealing Granite Countertops, Marble & Travertine