Kitchen Countertop Bliss

We know granite to be a tough material that’s highly ideal for countertop use. It is normally resistant to spills, scratches, and discoloration. However, it is essential to seal granite countertops with a special substance to make it impervious to spills, especially of acidic substances, which may affect the integrity of the stone. This sealant also gives the processed stone its sheen which is highly prized by interior decorators and homeowners alike. Although most granite countertops are already given a sealing treatment upon purchase, it’s best to ask your dealer. This maintenance activity is recommended to be done every 6 months to make the countertop look as good as new much longer.

Why You Should Seal Granite Countertops

Although granite seems like a tough and impermeable material for countertop use, it needs to be properly sealed to protect it from the elements. After the rock has been sanded in fabrication companies, it is then treated with a layer of sealant to keep particles and liquids from seeping into the rock itself, detroying its integrity over time. The surface should always be protected by the homeowner from acidic spills, as this tends to gnaw at the sealant. The sealant should be reapplied every 6 months so you’ll be assured of a granite countertop that remains to look as if it’s eternally new.

Seal Granite Countertops To Prolong Their Life

Granite is a very popular material that is used for kitchen and bathroom countertops all over the country, and even around the world. Their popularity is largely due to the natural hardness and resilience of the stone.

Because of these remarkable characteristics, granite countertops are the top choice of today’s homeowner. But even though granite seems to be impregnable, it is still a stone, and all stones have a natural absorbent quality. This is why it is necessary to seal granite countertops to prevent chemicals or other damaging substances to seep through the stone and cause staining and discoloration.

If you have just bought a granite countertop for your kitchen or bathroom, you probably wouldn’t have to worry about sealing it until after several months. Most countertop dealers sell granite countertops that have already been sealed, but you can ask the dealer just to be sure.

The general rule is that you have to seal granite countertops twice a year. But the actual frequency depends on where your granite countertops are located and how much they are used. For more frequently used surfaces, you must seal granite countertops as often as every 4 months. If they are in a place that is not used very often, for example, the bathroom in the guesthouse, then it is enough to seal granite countertops once a year.

It is really not that difficult to seal granite countertops. Oftentimes, home owners do this task by themselves, unless they are probably too busy, in which case they will hire people who seal granite countertops to do the job.

Some people seal granite countertops using special granite sealants. But if you are on a tight budget, you can always use car wax. They are less expensive, and applying them will be just like applying wax on your car’s exterior.

Once you seal your granite countertops, it is important to practice the right daily cleaning practices to promote their durability. Take note that anything acidic may damage the sealant. It doesn’t matter if the acid comes from chemical cleaners, or food such as orange juice or coffee. Acid in any form can cause the sealant to wear away, therefore, the granite will be exposed to possible staining and discoloration.

Because of this, you must take care to choose a non-acidic cleaner to use on your granite countertops. Also, be vigilant with regard to spills on the surface. Mop or wipe them right away to avoid aggravating the problem.

How To Seal Granite Countertops

Granite is a natural rock and is there fore porous like any other rock, only less so. The particles in granite are packed so densely, achieveing a toughness that comes close to that of diamond. This is one main reason why granite is a preferred kitchen countertop material.

It is scratch resistant and likewise heat resistant. Unlike cheap laminate countertops which can easily warp or burn the moment you accidentally place a hot pan on its surface, granite countertops can take objects having extremes in temperature. However, even this property should not be abused if you want the granite countertop tolast a lifetime.

Another thing homeowners have little knowledge of is why and how to seal granite countertops. They may think that granite is nonporous and can be maintained with just a moist cloth to wipe with, but there’s really more to the maintenance of granite kitchen countertops than that.

Acids are especially harmful to the surface of these stones. And there are a lot of acids in many foodstuffs that we aren’t aware of. We know about vinegar, but there’s also salad dressings, lemon juice, wine, and even coffee. When these liquids are not immediately sponged off (the motion should be sponging off, not wiping, as this tends to spread the affected area), they could easily eat away at the sealant of the surface.

The rule of thumb is to re-seal granite countertops every 6 months or so to keep the gloss from fading away and to prevent any seepage of liquid into the spaces within the stone. When this happens, stains may likely show through, making it difficult to repair. If you’ve just bought your countertop, there’s no reason to worry about its seal wearing away too soon.

How often should you seal certain granite countertops? The frequency actually depends on the type of activity to which it is exposed. Countertops which aren’t usually subjected to pounding or spills or scratch-inducing activities don’t need to be resealed as often. For instance, work desks for the office are rarely abused and need not be resealed after 6 months.

For surfaces with higher traffic, such as those next to stoves and ovens and center islands where the surfaces may be used as chopping boards are to be sealed as often as 4 months.

The method most commonly employed to seal granite countertops is taking a piece of cloth and using a special granite sealer. This is applied onto the entire surface and allowed to set and dry for about 24 hours. Another way is to transfer the liquid sealer into a spray bottle so you can more accurately apply it to the granite countertop. It will also be less messy and easier to work with.

If you can’t find this at your local hardware store, you can simply use regular car wax for this purpose. Simply work the wax in and let dry.

To keep your countertop looking good as new, avoid spilling any kind of acidic liquid onto its surface. Acid eats away at the sealant but the damage is not immediately visible. You will only get to notice it after several months, when a spot has already discolored – this means that the liquid had possibly permeated the barrier. To avoid this, always mop or sponge off the spill as soon as possible.

In the same vein, use only pH-neutral cleaners to disinfect your granite kitchen countertops. Mild cleansers or mild soap are likewise acceptable. If you keep these pointers in mind, your countertops will always look as good as the day you had them installed.