Sealing Your Countertop
Properly sealing your countertop is important to maintain the beauty of your countertop and prevent unwanted substances (chemical, germs) from finding their way in. It’s an easy job that anyone can accomplish.
What Countertop Materials Require Sealing
Not all countertops need to be sealed. That’s because not all countertops are porous. And, some manufacturers add a permanent seal. These countertops typically carry a 10 – 15 year limited warranty. Double check if your countertop needs to be sealed. This is a list of porous countertop materials that require a sealer.
- Granite
- Marble
- Concrete
- Limestone
- Sandstone
- Flagstone
How to Apply Countertop Sealant
The goal of sealing your countertop is to create an impregnable layer between the countertop and everything else. But, you have to take care not to seal in anything that shouldn’t be there. These are the general instructions that I followed to seal my countertops. These instructions should not be used in place of manufacturers directions.
Step 1: Clean your countertop. Remove any items and go over it with a clean, dry rag.
Step 2: Use a countertop cleaner to disinfect and thoroughly clean the surface. Dry the countertop and let it sit for a few hours.
Step 3: Apply the sealant with a brush, clean cloth, or spray. Let it sit for 3 – 5 minutes to allow the stone to absorb the sealer. Apply more sealant, and use a clean cloth to remove any excess.
Step 4: Allow the countertop to completely dry (approximately 2 hours) and repeat step 3. You want two coats of sealant protecting your countertop.
Step 5: Let your countertop completely dry.
Over time this sealant layer can be worn down, so this process should be repeated about once a year. An easy way to test your countertop sealant is to place a few beads of water on it. Let the water sit for about 30 minutes and then wipe away. If the countertop darkened, then some of the water was absorbed and it needs to be sealed again.
Choosing a Countertop Sealant
I have granite countertops and have sealed them using Stone Care International Spray-n-Seal. Applying the seal was easy and the countertops look great!
What do you think? What sealant do you use? Ever had a stain in your countertop?
Image courtesy of Allen Chu
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2 Responses to Sealing Your Countertop
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January 23rd, 2009 12:48 am
We haven’t done it yet, but my father-in-law gave us a small container of GranQuartz Professional Impregnator sealer to seal our granite countertop when he installed it. It had been previously sealed, so we haven’t worried about it yet, but mean to. The reason I mention the brand is because he’s a stone worker by trade.
December 12th, 2009 3:59 pm
What is the difference between a granite polish and a granite sealer?