To seal or not to seal? That is the question. And the answer is – yes, your natural stone needs to be sealed. Sealing your natural stone, especially when it’s in use in your kitchen or bathroom, is crucial to keeping it in good shape. No two pieces of natural stone are the same, so it’s important to choose the best sealer for it and we recommend hiring a professional to complete the process for you on its initial application. Doing so will keep your stone looking beautiful, allow easier cleaning, and prevent against damages.
Natural stone is porous. Which means it has interconnected veins that liquids can move through. Think of it like a hard sponge that slowly sucks in liquids over time. Some stones, such as onyx and marble will absorb liquids quite quickly. Others like bluestone and granite are less porous, taking longer to soak up liquid. Here are some reasons you should seal your natural stone.
1. Preservation
Sealing the stone will preserve its appearance and prevent your countertops from looking dull. There are some sealants available which also enhance the colour of your stone. The seal will prevent oil, water, and other contaminants from leaving behind marks that will turn the surface cloudy or dull.
2. Stain Prevention
Because of its porous nature, unsealed stone will absorb any sort of liquid or food marks left on its surface, and if it’s colourful, it will leave behind a mark. Sealing your natural stone means it has a barrier against the liquid that would stain it.
3. Easy Cleaning
Because the sealant is stopping messes from being absorbed into its surface, it makes cleaning up a breeze. Dirt and crumbs can be wiped away easily. Liquids can be absorbed by your sponge and then the remains wiped away without leaving a trace. The sealed surface will also help repel bacteria, making for a healthier space.
4. Etch Prevention
Etching is what happens when acidic foods are spilled on a natural stone surface and not cleaned up quickly. Acid reacts with the calcium carbonate in the stone and eats away at the surface creating dull spots called ‘etches.’ These can be caused by things like lemon juice and tomato sauce. The marks are not stains, they are changes to the stone’s colour itself. It’s also permanent, which is why having a sealant preventing those marks is so important.
There’s different types of sealers available these days. The two most notable types are ‘penetrating sealers’ and ‘topical sealers.’ A penetrating sealer will seep into the pores of the stone and close them up. It will not alter the appearance of the stone, and will most likely have a matte finish. A topical sealer creates a layer on top of the stone surface, and can alter the texture, colour, and finish of the stone. Most topical sealers will give a ‘wet look’ and some can even enhance the appearance of your stone.
Whether you’ve added natural stone to your kitchen countertops, bathroom flooring, fireplaces, or more, it’s important to preserve its appearance and integrity with a sealer. How often your natural stone needs to be sealed will vary on the type of stone and which sealer is used. Use the right sealer and it won’t have to be resealed for many years to come.
Stonaa is the Name to Trust for Sealing Natural Stone in Melbourne
If you’re renovating your home or just in need of sealing your natural stone, get in touch with us. At Stonaa we can help you protect your stone for years to come. Click here to get in touch or give us a call on 0472 563 482 for more information and friendly advice from our team of experts.
