Stone surfaces, including countertops made from granite, are more vulnerable than you may believe. Crumbs and drops from spilled food and drinks can make their way inside through tiny fissures, damaging the stone from the inside. Moisture and dust and other debris also pose threats. A comprehensive layer of good stone sealer can protect your surface and prolong its lifespan.
The need for sealing is obvious, but what about the need for resealing? We would argue that it is just as important. Read on to learn about why you should reseal granite countertops, as well as some professional advice on pulling them off.
Why Reseal Granite Countertops?
High-quality sealers can last a long while, especially the ones that were made for your surface’s material. You will often see them advertised as remaining effective for years. Much of the time, these claims are true. Once you apply a layer, it should provide ample protection over an extended period of time.
With that said, this protection is not permanent. As you use the countertop day in and day out, the sealer will gradually wear away. Each touch from one’s hands will leave a trace of body oil. Each clatter of silverware and tableware may chip away an infinitesimal piece from the layer. All this is not taking into account the possibility of worse damage from bigger accidents.
Before long, you may take a close look at your countertop and see an assortment of marks. You may ask, “How did all these scratches get here?” However they got there, what matters is what they may indicate about your countertop. If there are gaps in the sealer, the stone becomes vulnerable to all the threats you believed were no longer an issue.
Sealers are not a permanent solution because nothing is permanent — not even the most high-end solutions. Thankfully, you can respond to that fact of life by simply adding another layer. People reseal granite countertops for the same reason they wash their clothes and dishes more than once. They were dirty before and they will get dirty again, but keeping them clean is worthwhile. The same logic applies here.
On that note, we should remind you that you will not need to reseal nearly as often as you need to wash your clothes and dishes. Like we said, high-quality sealers can protect stone surfaces for years. All we are saying is that applying another layer every so often would not hurt.
Tips for Effective Resealing
Now that you know the “why” for resealing granite countertops, you should learn the “how.” Doing it the second time is different in some ways from doing it the first time, yet similar in others. We will go over some of them in the advice below.
Conduct a Water Test First
It is not always obvious when you need to reseal your granite countertop. You could just wait until evidence of the need for resealing appears on the surface. However, it may be wise to consider doing it before such signs emerge. Besides, how long has it been since the last application of sealant?
If you are uncertain, just splash a few drops of water on the surface and leave them alone for about 30 minutes. When you look again, do they still look the same as when you placed them there? If so, it is fine. Did they seem to shrink or vanish, leaving a mark? If so, the cause likely was not evaporation, and you may need to break out the sealant.
Restore the Countertop’s Original Appearance
Resealing granite countertops will preserve them in their present state. This move may not be desirable if its present state includes scratches on the surface, cracks in the interior, and all manner of other marks. Before you apply the sealer, you should try to do something about that damage first.
You can fill smaller fissures and dents with an epoxy, preferably one that most closely resembles the rest of the surface, and let it dry. Experts can take care of deeper issues with the interior or foundation, but you can probably handle the exterior yourself. Once you take care of all that, that would be the time to apply the sealer.
Clean Before Sealing
They may not always be visible, but all manner of debris may be present on your countertop’s surface. Dust, hair, crumbs, and traces of squashed insects are just a few examples. All this matter and more could be trapped under a layer of sealer, which can be harmful to the material.
Yes, you still have one more chore before you can actually apply the sealer. Thankfully, cleaning the surface should be simple, especially if you use stone cleaners. Products of this particular type can get the gunk out of granite better than others, all without harming the material. Whatever you use, just give it a quick wiping down before you get started.
Spread, Don’t Soak
With everything else out of the way, you can get started. Before you dip your lint-free cloth into the sealant container, though, be careful with your approach. Putting too much sealant onto the surface, in an ironic twist, can cause some of it to sink in and potentially cause damage.
The proper and safer method is to spread with care. On the surface itself, as well as the edges, dab the cloth only as much as you need to cover the area. Leave it there for a full 24 hours, then apply a second layer if you want some extra defense. After that, your countertop should be fully protected and good as new.
High-Quality Granite Sealers at My Stone Care
Our last piece of advice for resealing granite countertops is that you should prepare for the future. Sealing is not a one-and-done deal, and neither is resealing. You will have to go through the process all over again every few years — that is if you want to extend your countertop’s lifespan.
My Stone Care can supply you with top-notch standard penetrating sealers designed specifically for rock surfaces. These goods can protect your countertops from moisture, grout, and other threats to the granite’s integrity, and they remain effective for a long time. Order them today and get the most out of your gorgeous countertop.