How to Tell if You Need to Seal Your Granite Countertops

When you purchase granite countertops in Phoenix, AZ, they are almost certain to come already sealed for your convenience. However, over time the sealant on your granite countertops will wear away, requiring you to reseal them to prevent issues with cleanliness or stains setting into the porous stone.

But how exactly do you know when the time has come for sealing your countertops once again? You might be able to tell just by the sheen of the surface or by the way it feels, but the most effective method to test if you need to reseal your granite countertops is what we call the water test.

Using the water test to determine if you need to reseal

The water test is both fast and easy, and it’s probably the most effective method of indicating whether or not your countertop seal has worn down to the point where you need to reseal it.

Take a small amount of water and pour it on to various sections of the counter top. Roughly two- or three-inch spills in diameter will be sufficient. After you’ve poured the water onto the countertop, watch carefully to see what happens. If the granite in the area darkens, that means the stone absorbed the water in the area. The water should be able to sit on top of the stone for 30 minutes if the sealant is in good condition, but if the seal has worn down, the granite will darken faster than that.

If it takes less than 30 minutes for the stone to absorb the water, then you know you need to invest in resealing the countertop. With the stone taking that little time to absorb water, that means the sealant is no longer providing reliable protection against stains, and the granite could absorb any type of liquid or cleaner spilled on the countertop. Applying new sealant to your countertops will help to preserve the appearance and quality of the stone, preventing stains and reducing the likelihood of dullness over time.

If the granite does not darken within that 30-minute window, then you don’t need to worry about resealing yet. Keep in mind that it is normal for water to penetrate the granite sealant after 30 minutes have passed—the sealant is not a 100 percent protective solution.

It’s also important to keep in mind that there’s no such thing as over-sealing the stone. When applying new coats of sealant, you cannot put on too many. So even if your counter did pass the water test, you might determine that your best bet is to reseal now anyway. Regular sealing of the stone will keep it in great condition for many years to come and protect it against debris, etching and stains.

Make sure you also stay on top of regular cleaning of your countertops using a special granite countertop cleaner.

For more information about sealing countertops in Phoenix, AZ, or to discuss your options for granite countertop installation, contact the team at Petrus Countertops and Remodeling today.

Categorised in: Granite Countertops