How Often Should You Reseal Granite Countertops?

Some granites are sealed with resin at the factory and may not require resealing for several years.

Granite countertops are used in homes around the world. These sleek, polished surfaces are made from a number of stone types that are commercially known as granite. True granites are extremely hard, dense stones that require sealing infrequently, but many stones sold under the name "granite" are much more porous and should be sealed on a more regular basis to prevent stains.

Yearly Maintenance

• All granite counters should be sealed at least once a year. Most will probably require sealing more frequently than this, but if a maintenance schedule is hard to keep to, consider sealing them once a year as part of a spring or fall maintenance schedule. Always clean the granite with a neutral-pH cleanser to help preserve the seal; chemicals can break the sealers down faster. Silicone sealers also last much longer than water-based sealers; using top-of-the-line sealers can help extend the time between sealings. So if remembering to seal your counter is a problem, do it once a year with a good sealer and treat it gently in between.

Dark Granite

• Dark granites and particularly black granites are much denser than light granites. Most black granites are actually a stone known as a gabbro, which is much harder than actual granite. Dark-colored granites do not require sealing as often as light-colored granites. To see if your dark-colored stone needs sealing, wipe a wet cloth across its surface. If the water beads up, it does not need to be resealed at this time. If the water spreads out across the surface of the stone or forms small puddles, it is time to put a new coat of sealer on.

Light Granite

• Light-colored granites are much more porous than dark stones. They will require more frequent sealing to help protect them from stains. To check to see if your light-colored granite needs to be sealed, pour a small amount of water on the surface. Wait 10 minutes, come back and wipe the water away. Look at the area of the stone that had water on it; if it has gotten visibly darker, the counter needs to be resealed. Granite that absorbs water will darken temporarily. Granite can also absorb oils and acids and will not relighten; sealing the stone prevents this.

Check Mulitple Areas

• When determining if your granite needs to be sealed, perform these tests on a few spots. Check the area near the sink, particularly if pans are left to dry there. Check the area where you do most food preparation, such as cutting, and check a third area that is typically left clear that may be a catch-all for things being set down.
• Sealers don't always break down evenly, so even though one spot might be fine, another could be susceptible to staining and should be resealed. Sealers can always be applied over an area that doesn't require it; the stone will absorb only as much as it needs.

Comments

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[Garden State Soapstone]

Granite is a very nice material for countertops.

[Mathew Leonard]

Good information about countertops.It will really help in taking care of countertops more efficiently.

[Paul]

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[Niamh Allan]

I was not using Granite for countertops, but someone told me about it. With real experience I can say that Granite is the best material for your countertops.