Introduction
Granite, slate, marble, travertine, and other natural stones require regularly sealing to help avoid staining and water intrusion. This task is easy to do and doesn’t take very long, but should be planned over 2-3 days to allow the stone to dry after cleaning and applying the sealant.
Step by step
The method we’re listing below works for any type of natural stone so consider all areas you may have stone, including granite countertops, slate floors, marble showers, or travertine backsplashes.
Keep in mind sealing stone doesn’t protect against etching caused by acidic liquids (lemon juice, tomato products, vinegar, etc.). This is designed to limit the natural porosity of stone so it better repels water and resists staining.
The good thing about this task is that it replaces the “Clean & Seal Grout” for the areas being treated, as we’ll do both at the same time. However, if you have other types of tile (porcelain or ceramic) you should still seal those grout lines, even though the tile itself doesn’t need sealing.
Lastly, different types of finishes and stone types may need sealing more than others. High polish (shiny) surfaces tend to need sealing less than low polish (matte) surfaces. Denser stones, such as granite, are typically less susceptible to staining than porous stones, such as marble. An annual sealing is a good rule of thumb, but if you have a dense, high polish stone you may skip this and opt for sealing every 2-3 years.
Ok, on to the step by step:
- Deep Clean
Start by giving the stone and grout a good cleaning with a neutral (non-acidic), non-abrasive cleaning agent. Now isn’t the time to try your all natural vinegar or baking soda solutions! The acid in these and some commercial cleaning solutions will react with the stone and cause etching, which is difficult to impossible to remove. Bleach isn’t a good idea either.
We recommend a specially formulated cleaning agent like the one we have listed in the Materials section. This is designed to work with many types of natural stone. Remember it is a concentrated solution so be sure to mix with water as directed before use.
Apply the cleaning solution to the surface of the stone with a microfiber cloth. Work in to the grout lines with a small brush as needed. For stubborn grout lines you may need to use a grout cleaner as well.
Dry the surface off with a fresh microfiber cloth. This will take care of the bulk water. - Let Dry
Depending on how porous the stone is, you’ll need to let it dry for 24-72 hours after the deep clean. Try to avoid use during this period as the stone will be especially susceptible to staining in this raw, unprotected state. Once the surface is dry, move on to the next step. - Apply Sealant
Using a foam brush, apply the sealant to the surface and grout lines. Do not put the sealer on too thick! If it is puddling up it will dry unevenly and leave a residue that is difficult to remove. Work in a methodic manner (if you’re working on tiles, doing one tile at a time is a good approach) to ensure you don’t miss any spots.
After applying the sealer, it will begin to air dry naturally after 15-30 minutes. As it is almost dry, drip a small drop of water on the stone and see if it pools in place or absorbs. If it absorbs, apply another coat of sealant. Repeat until the water beads up without absorbing.
As you finish your last coat, you do not want to let the sealant dry completely, but rather catch it just before it is dried and buff off the remainder with a dry microfiber cloth. Think “wax on, wax off”. This will ensure you don’t leave residue streaks. If you do have some streaks, apply some more sealer to that area, rub in, let almost dry, and buff out.
The surface will be dry to the touch and ready for light traffic in 1-3 hours. If possible, wait 72 hours before getting the area soaking wet or exposing to anything that may stain it. - Mark Complete
Check this off in your Propsee profile and we’ll remind you to complete again in a year.