Granite Paste Sealer – How To Seal Granite?

Granite Paste Sealer – How To Seal Granite?

Granite is one of the best options available for kitchen countertops. The incredibly resistant natural stone has a variety of beautiful veiny patterns that bring elegance fitting for several kitchen styles. But one important factor cannot be overlooked when it comes to granite: sealing it. So what is a paste sealer and how to seal granite?

Granite is a porous natural stone, so it is susceptible to stains from liquids. Sealing prevents those stains, creating a coat of protection on top of the stone. It also adds extra protection against scratches and hot surfaces.

Sealing is a must when it comes to granite countertops. Something of extreme importance that should never be skipped. So in this article, we are going to present a simple test you can do to check if your granite countertop is in need of sealing and what are the options when it comes to applying the sealer.

Properly sealing granite is one of the key ways of keeping it looking good. It already lasts a long time, so if you keep its looks throughout its life, all the better for you. Do want to know more features of granite countertops? Then be sure check our definitive guide on it!

Person applying sealer to a granite countertop.

When to Seal Granite – A Simple Test

To determine whether or not your granite countertop needs sealing you can do a simple test called the “water drop test”. The test couldn’t be simpler: drip a small puddle of water on your countertop and wait. Observe closely as the small puddle is absorbed. Depending on how much time it takes, you will have different situations.

If the water is absorbed right away you’re in much need of sealing. Ideally, multiple coats once a year, and even so you need to take care not to let spills rest on top of it for too long.

If it takes about 5 minutes for the water to be absorbed you are relatively safe and should apply the sealer once every three years.

If it takes even more time, around 15 minutes, you still should apply the sealer, but following the instructions very closely. It should take around 5 years before you have to worry about sealing it again.

And in the last case, if half an hour has passed and the water puddle still rests on top of it, you don’t need to worry about sealing. You can still do it, but just for your own peace of mind. It won’t have a big impact.

How to Apply Granite Paste Sealer?

Step 01 – Cleaning

So you made the water drop test and determined that your granite countertop is indeed in need of sealing. Before thinking about the actual sealing you should first think about cleaning your countertop as best as you can.

There are many options of good granite cleaners in the market, but you can also recur to acetone to remove any hard dirt and a simple mix of warm water and mild dish soap to finish it off.

Step 02 – Pour and spread the sealer in small portions

Carefully pour the sealer in a small area, something you can easily work with. Gently spread the sealer around with a paintbrush or clean cloth.

Step 03 – Wait… Reapply… Wait…

Let the sealer dry for about 5 minutes. After it is completely dry, add just a little more sealer and spread it evenly around. Let it rest for another 5 minutes.

Step 04 – Remove Excess

Once the sealer is dry, wipe out the excess with a clean cloth. At this point, you may notice some hazy spots in certain small areas. To fix that, simply add a pinch of sealer to the hazy area and spread it around until it is completely dry.

Optional Step

Depending on the level of absorption of your countertop, you might need to apply another coat of sealer. To check for that, wait for about 30 minutes after the first coat and remake the water drop test.

Example of water drop test on granite.
Example of the “water drop test”

Granite Paste Sealer – DIY or Professional Help?

As you could see, sealing granite is not a very complex task. It is easily doable as a DIY project if you follow the instructions accordingly. However, there’s much more to sealing granite than applying the sealer itself.

A professional can help you decide with more certainty if your countertop needs sealing or not. The need for sealing can change according to the type of granite you own. Lighter colors of granite, for example, are more porous and therefore need to be sealed more often.

Also, the kind of sealer you’re going to need can make a huge difference, so is always best to consult a professional before committing to any decisions.

If you happen to be around the Sarasota region, in FL, you’re in luck, because the best professionals can be found at Eagle Stones. For years they have been providing the region with only the best when it comes to countertop installation and maintenance.

Give them a call right now at +1 941-227-2000 or reach them through the email sales@eaglestones.us. They will be happy to hear from you and help you with every countertop need.

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on whatsapp
Share on email
Share on telegram
Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on whatsapp
Share on email
Share on telegram

Share This

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on whatsapp
Share on email
Share on telegram

Related Posts

Leave A Reply