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How to Seal Natural Stone Floors Yourself

November 21, 2019 By creatingyourspace Leave a Comment

Do you love your natural stone flooring? No doubt, selecting the right flooring that best complements your home was challenging. Now that you have settled on a flooring material, it is time to protect your investment. Unlike traditional flooring materials, natural stone requires special attention so that it keeps its natural glow. Since stone floors are especially vulnerable, you will need to apply a sealant to ensure that it stays intact.

Hiring a flooring expert to do the job for you is excellent, but if it is not in the budget, it is something you can complete yourself. To help, here is how you can achieve professional results when sealing your natural stone floors:

Materials 

  • Stone sealant that has been manufacturer-recommended for your specific stone floors 
  • Vacuum cleaner 
  • Cloth 
  • A soft bristle brush 
  • Residue Remover 
  • Pair of gloves 

Begin by Cleaning

Before you begin sealing your stone floors, you will have to conduct a thorough cleaning of your floors. Use a vacuum cleaner to remove dirt and dust, and be sure to get the corners as well. Next, use a mild cleaning solution to clean the floors further. Instead of using a mop, dip a cloth into the solution and wipe the floors until they are spotless. Just remember, using harsh materials during the cleaning process can erode the natural stone. Instead, use a residue cleaner to remove stubborn stains. After you have cleaned the floors, you will need to make sure the floors are completely dry before moving on to the next step.

Select Your Sealant

Next, it is time to select a sealant that is right for your natural stone floors, and that fits your personal taste. The sealant should be derived from fluoropolymer technology. Make sure you purchase a sealant that is compatible with your stone flooring. For example, do you want to achieve a glossy or matte finish? There are sealants on the market that can provide you with either look.

The Type of Stone Matters

What type of stone flooring are you utilizing? Because the sealing method is mainly dependant on the stone type. Terracotta, limestone, and sandstone should be sealed before it is installed, and tile grouting takes place. Apply sealant to the front, back and side surfaces. Marble, travertine, and granite have to be sealed at the top and edges. These stone types can be sealed after they have been laid and grouted.

Applying the Sealant

While wearing your gloves, you can apply the sealant solution with a paintbrush to the floors. To create a polished look, apply the sealant in the same direction. Just remember that the sealant needs a couple of hours to cure.

Voila, you successfully sealed your natural stone floors! You can expect the sealant to last for at least five years before you will need to redo the process. If you have any questions, please leave us a comment.

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Filed Under: Do It Yourself (DIY) Projects, Tile & Stone Tagged With: DIY, flooring, floors, Natural Stone, sealing, stone sealer, tile, tiles

The Importance of Sealing Granite

June 24, 2009 By creatingyourspace 1 Comment

Granite is still one of the most popular countertop choices for today’s kitchens and bathrooms. Because granite is an expensive item and one that you probably don’t intend to replace, you will want to take care of it so that you can enjoy it for many years to come.

You may be asking yourself, why is a sealer needed for a hard stone like granite? Granite is actually semi-porous and if left unsealed, stains can penetrate deep into the stone. Using a sealer allows the sealer to penetrate deep into the pores of the granite, filling them so that stains cannot penetrate  those pores.

Keep in mind that not all sealers are the same. There are topical sealers and penetrating sealers. To get the best job, you want to use a penetrating sealer.  A penetrating sealer fills the pores of the granite so that when a stain tries to fill those pores it can’t because the sealer is already there blocking the pores.

With granite sealers, you get what you pay for. Look for sealers with the longest warranty and generally the highest price tag. The higher priced sealers usually are better quality. Cheaper sealers can require more coats and more frequent applications.

The good news is, sealing granite is something you can do yourself. There are no tools needed, just the sealer, a clean cloth and your time. However, if doing it yourself is not your thing, you can certainly hire a professional to do it for you.

Like carpet cleaning, granite needs to be sealed annually. It’s easy to forget until you see stains that can have already caused permanent damage. You need to reseal every year because normal use and cleaning dissolves the sealer. For kitchens with high traffic and use, sealing may be required bi-annually.

How can you tell if you need to reseal? Simply pour some water on your countertop. If after half an hour your countertop does not turn dark, then your sealer is still working.

Protecting your investment is easy. Call your local retailer today to find the best sealing product for you. If you have another natural stone besides granite that needs sealing, there are products available for those as well.

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Filed Under: Countertops, Tile & Stone Tagged With: granite, Natural Stone, sealer, stone sealer

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