Sealing Tumbled Marble Backsplash

by Vay
(Toronto, Canada)

QUESTION: I just put in a tumbled marble backsplash (whitish color) with a bone colored grout. Do I need to seal it... especially the area behind the faucet? Thanks.

ANSWER: Kitchen backsplashes really don't take too much abuse except for occasional food spatter, so staining isn't generally much of an issue.

But yes, I would seal it and I suggest using these recommended marble & granite sealers.

Sealing the grout is actually more important than the marble, especially behind the sink as you note, to keep it from absorbing water and breaking apart. Usually this is only a potential problem with the grout in the seam between the countertop and tumbled marble backsplash.

If your backsplash is right behind the faucet then plan on sealing that area again in a year or two.... and again, mainly for the grout.

Just remember (as a point of education about sealers), sealing does not prevent "etching" of marble, which is a lighter (in color) chemical mark left from contact with acidic substances like fruit juice, mustard, coffee, alcohol, etc. and not a stain from absorbing a substance.

But on a tumbled marble backsplash, the chance of any noticeable etching is minimal to zero.

I have a 5-year-old tumbled marble backsplash (sealed) in a heavily used kitchen that still looks brand new and should for many years to come.