Have you recently purchased a new construction home in Seattle? If so, you may be surprised to learn that unless you've been told otherwise, your new home builder will not have property sealed the granite counter tops or other natural stone surfaces thorough-out your new home.
Granite countertops will always be a popular kitchen and bathroom finishing choice, among other types of natural stone finishes. Granite boasts a combination of natural beauty and durability that's unmatched among most commercial options. But different from many other countertops choices, granite is a natural material. It is porous and highly absorbent.
To protect the granite in your new home, therefore, and to ensure its quality over time, you'll want to seal your countertops at least once annually. A proper granite sealing will prevent stains and damage that can ruin your countertops' appearances. Sealing your granite countertops is a fairly simple job, but it does require a little bit of effort. This video will demonstrate the steps to sealing your granite countertops.
Does the Granite Countertop Need to be Sealed?
First, you should make sure your granite is actually needs to be sealed for the first time, or re-sealed. To do this, soak a white cotton cloth in water and leave it on the corner of your countertop for a 10 minutes. Lift the towel and check whether the area under the towel is discolored, or dark. This will indicate that your granite is absorbing liquid and needs sealing.
If the area is not disclored, your granite is already sufficiently sealed.
If your countertops do need to be sealed, here's how to do it :
- With a spray cleaner, wipe down the entire surface and allow to dry
- Using a clean white rag, apply granite sealer to the surface uniformly
- Allow 30 minutes for the granite to absorb the sealer, or longer
- When dry, re-apply a second coat of sealer
Depending on the thickness and quality of your home's granite, it may need to dry overnight so allow yourself the proper time to finish the job.
Granite Countertops Can Look Great for Decades
Once sealed, use preventative maintenance to keep your granite countertops looking great. Place coasters under beverages, hot plates under dishes and clean up spills immediately.
A well-cared for granite countertop will last for years. If you are considering the purchase of a new construction home in the Seattle area, be sure to ask your home builder if the natural stone surfaces will be sealed. If not, be sure one of your first tasks upon moving in is sealing all the natural stone surfaces in the home, particularly in the kitchens and bathrooms. Travertine is another surface which needs proper finishing & sealing. Be sure to consult with a Seattle natural stone and flooring expert for assistance in caring for the stone surfaces in your home.
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