Granite is a strong, durable, and attractive stone. However, if not sealed properly and regularly, it can lose its shiny, bright, and beautiful look, change color and take a dull appearance. Also, it will be more prone to staining and discoloration caused by acidity and chemicals in food, the heat of the pot or plate left on top, and many cleaning products.
But more importantly, it can house germs and moisture, which are variables that do not bode well on food preparation surfaces. It’s essential to clean and maintain granite countertops properly. Since granite is a natural stone, it is generally penetrable and has a porous surface.
Sealants are an effective and easy way to protect your granite surfaces. Most people self-seal their granite surfaces once every six months to a year. Though granite can never be over sealed, the best way to tell when you are due for a reseal is to test it. Here are a couple of easy steps to check if your granite countertops need resealing or not:
- Pay attention to the condition of your granite.
- Try adding several drops of water on top of your granite countertops, preferably in multiple locations. Let it sit for 30 minutes. If the water has penetrated the surface and has darkened the granite, it is time to reseal.
- Check for dull places on otherwise glossy countertops.
- Paying attention to the time frame in between the first couple of reseals can help you set a schedule for future maintenance.
We know getting those new countertops was a big investment, and correct upkeep is the best way to elongate the life of your countertops. So our advice is to get your countertops resealed by professionals.
Various home improvement stores sell cost-friendly sealants. Yes, it is relatively simple to reseal your granite countertops.
However, the quality of products that are sold in stores is not even a fraction of the professional sealants used by installers. Even within the sealants, we offer there are quality and life expectancy differences, such as basic yearly sealants, 15 yrs. sealants, and 25 yrs. sealants.
Furthermore, purchasing these self-seal products will only lead you to seal more frequently than you normally would when done with the right product, such as 15 or 25 yrs. sealant. Hence costing much more in the long run.
Not to mention the possibility of not applying thoroughly and damaging your countertops through food and chemicals that normally wouldn’t harm your countertops when sealed correctly.