When you are thinking about having beautiful natural stone countertops installed in your home, you might have heard that a stone countertop will need a bit of maintenance. One of the most important bits of maintenance for your new stone countertop will be making certain it stays sealed.
Each countertop from Arch City Granite comes sealed and is ready to be installed or our technician seals the stone soon after installation. But, over time you will need to reseal your stone countertops. Since we want you to have the information you need to know about your new stone countertops, here is everything you want to know about the why your countertops need to be sealed.
It’s all about Porosity
Most types of natural stone are riddled with tiny capillaries and channels that interconnect and thread through the structure. Those tiny channels allow water, oils and other liquids to move into the stone. That is why if you spill a glass of red wine on untreated white marble, the coloring seeps into the body of the stone.
Granite is not as porous as marble, but it is still porous. Granite will still absorb liquids, but it will be in much smaller volumes and will take longer to move down into the slab of rock. Since liquids like water can seep into natural stone, problems arise when the water contained dissolved minerals.
If you have hard water, the calcite can be transported with the water into the stone. If there are mineral salts, such as magnesium or calcium in the water, natural stone can be pitted. As the water dries out, salt crystals form.Sealing stone countertops stops the movement of water and other liquids. The capillaries and channels are sealed and common types of damage are prevented.
It’s all about Protection
A marble countertop naturally contains calcite. If acid comes into contact with marble, the acid reacts with the calcite and can easily etch the marble. Acid that are commonly found in kitchens include lemon juice, vinegar, and soda pop. Acids can also damage sandstones, limestones and travertine.
Sealing stone countertops will reduce the risk of acid damage and add in a layer of protection. A sealant will give you the precious time you need to clean up a spill before your stone countertop can stain.If you want to keep your countertops protected, make certain you keep it sealed.
Resealing Your Countertops
When you think of sealing stone countertops, you might think it is labor intensive. This is not the case. The main thing you will need to know when sealing your countertops is the type of stone. Make certain you get the right sealant. At Arch City Granite, we want to provide you with the information you need to keep your countertops looking their best. If you want to seal your stone countertops, you can get the information you need right here.
Arch City Granite
With Arch City Granite, you can find the perfect natural stone that is going to transform your kitchen, bathrooms, or laundry room. You can find the right color and type of stone. We have the selection you want. Once you find the right stone surface, we can transform a slab of natural stone into a beautiful countertop. Our skilled craftsman use computer aided measuring devices, so we get the right fit for your home. We upload the precise measurements into our fabrication system and you can watch you stone countertop come alive. Our sales representatives will answer your questions and help you find the right stone for your lifestyle. Arch City Granite will help you beautify your home one countertop at a time.
