I have to admit that I am very frugal, but I have to be with my large family. When heating and air-conditioning bills were just becoming too much to bear, I finally caved in and bought new windows that I was told were more energy-efficient. They weren't as expensive as I thought they would be, which was great news. I had them installed just before winter began, and I received the lowest heating bill for the month of November that I had received in years! I was so happy that I had those windows installed, especially after being so hesitant to spend the cash on them. I created this blog to help other frugal people like me realize that sometimes spending money on home improvements really does pay off in the long run! I am now looking into new home insulation to save even more cash!
You've purchased a beautiful new home and it has the kitchen of your dreams. Beautiful floors, high-end appliances and gorgeous granite countertops. You can't wait to get in there and start whipping up your favorite meals for your family. But you've heard that granite countertops need maintenance every so often and you wonder if, before you get your kitchen all set up, you should seal it. However, if granite ownership is new to you, there are some things you should know before you decide that you're going to seal it.
Not all granite needs to be sealed
It's actually a myth that all granite needs to be sealed. The truth is that all granite is porous, but some granite is more dense than others. In general, the darker the color of the stone, the more dense it is. This means that countertops with darker granite are less susceptible to staining than lighter granite countertops. But the dark color of your countertops isn't necessarily a foolproof way to determine whether or not they need to be sealed. For that you'll need to take another step.
Do the water test
A little water won't hurt your granite, whether it needs to be sealed or not. Drop a little on your countertops. The water should bead up right away. After about 15 minutes, come back to your countertop and take another look. If the water is still sitting on the counter, the granite doesn't need to be sealed. The stone did not absorb the water. However, if the water has disappeared and left dark spots on your granite, then you should seal it. Don't worry about those dark test spots, though. They will disappear once the water dries completely.
Buy a good sealant
If you have determined that you need to seal your new granite countertops, be sure to compare the different options. Just like any other product, there is a range of sealants on the market, from inexpensive to expensive. Read the labels carefully. An inexpensive sealant may seem like a great buy, but you'll notice that you may have to seal your countertops annually if you purchase it. A more expensive sealant may only need to be applied once per decade, making it a better buy in the long run. If you simply can't determine which option is best, call a local granite company like All Marble Granite & Tile Imports Inc. They may have a product they recommend or they may be able to recommend someone who can come out and seal it for you.
Seal it correctly
If you are going the DIY route, you will have to prep your granite before you can get to work. Before you can start you need to:
Once your granite is clean and dry, it will have a dull look to it. That's okay. Dampen a cloth with sealant and begin to work it into the granite in a tight, circular motion, starting in the corners and working your way out. Depending on the sealant you may or may not need a second coat. When you are completely finished sealing your granite, the rich, gorgeous shine should be back.
Don't listen to the myth that all granite must be sealed. Check your granite to see if you need to seal it before you can enjoy your new kitchen or if your counters are ready for use.
Share