Serving The Greater Austin Texas Area

Natural stone countertops, like granite, require sealing in order to resist staining and to make day-to-day cleaning easier. While granite is one of the strongest and most stain resistant countertop materials, it still needs some help and some fairly regular care to keep its beauty and strength. While you won’t have to do it every day or every time you have a spill, you do need to maintain sealants at least once a year.

Sealing your granite countertop is part of the investment you make in the material.

It’s only as good as you take care of it and can easily become stained or damaged if you’re careless with your maintenance. Sealing as a process is fairly simple, safe, and doesn’t require a professional’s help for. So, there is really no excuse not to take care of your granite.

Below is some information and tips on how to best go about sealing your granite countertops.

When to seal your countertops

Generally speaking, you want to be prepared to reseal your granite countertops at least once a year. However, there’s no hard rule on it and different pros might give you different estimates based on the exact stone on your countertop. One way to check is to perform a water test on the surface but ultimately you want to aim for a resealing every 12 months or at least checking every 12 months to see if you need to reseal.

Must-does prior to sealing granite

Sealing doesn’t involve just pouring sealant on the surface. You need to properly prepare your granite for sealing and that means cleaning it thoroughly. Any stains on the stone at the time of sealing may become permanent. You should avoid using common surface cleaners on granite that could cause damage or break seals.

Using sealer properly

Not all sealants are made equal. Make sure, first and foremost, you’re using one designed for granite countertops. As you apply it, make sure it dampens the surface without completely soaking it. You don’t want puddles, just a clear and consistent layer of sealant across the entire surface. You should repeat a coat 2-3 times with 20 minutes apart between applications. After the sealant is applied and dried, polish the surface.

Related Questions

What is the water test?

This is a simple way to test the sealant quality of your countertop. Place a small 3-inch puddle of water on the surface and wait 30 minutes. If a dark ring forms, that means it’s time for a new sealing process.

Can I seal my countertops myself?

Yes. Sealing countertops is one of the easier do-it-yourself projects for homeowners. Just make sure you’re following the instructions on this page and on the sealant you’re using. However, if you have questions make sure to ask a countertop professional for some tips.

You want your granite countertops to last for years, decades even. So, installing the highest quality stone countertop is of great value to your countertop remodel and Texas Granite Group in the Austin area has got you covered.

We are an experienced stone fabricator that is certified to install countertops with the highest quality standard. Specializing in granite, quartz, and marble we can custom design your kitchen and bathroom countertops to achieve an incredible appearance. We have installed hundreds of countertops in homes and businesses throughout Texas and house a vast selection of colors and stone materials to choose from.

Call and speak with one of our designers about your countertop renovation – Free!