Sealing Granite Floor Tile Before Grouting

by jeff
(SC)

QUESTION:

Do I need to seal flamed granite tile flooring before I grout it?

ANSWER:

Sealing granite floor tile prior to grouting is not generally necessary, unless the granite is really porous.

Although, with one of the more porous granites it could be beneficial depending on the color of the granite and the color of the grout.

If the granite is light colored and the grout dark, then it may be possible (testing will tell you) that the granite tile edges could absorb the color of the grout changing the granite tile color at the edges. Not a big concern, but possible.

Same if a dark granite (although dark granites are typically much less absorbent) and a light grout.

First though, you should run the test for sealing granite to see if your stone even needs or can absorb a granite sealer.

Despite what you read/hear that "all granite must be sealed" ... it is not true. There are 2000+ stones sold as granite with a wide variety of characteristics including porosity.

Many granites are naturally non-absorbent, do not need a sealer nor is sealing even possible.

Chances are with a flamed surface (non-polished surfaces are more porous) it will take a sealer, but test first.

If testing shows the granite to be very absorbent, sealing granite floor tile may be a good idea prior to grouting.

If so, then we recommend using SenGuard or these sealers.

You should consider sealing grout after installation as well.

But typically for the most pleasing effect the grout and granite tile color will be very similar and this is not an issue.

And typically sealing granite or any type of stone floor tile is done after grouting.

Be sure to wait 2-3 weeks after complete installation before sealing granite tile flooring and/or sealing grout to allow all the water to evaporate.

This is very important. You don't want to trap water in a stone floor.

Good Luck,
Ryan

Preparing Granite For Sealing

QUESTION:

We just had granite counter tops installed.

We were told to use a 0000 steal wool to clean off the water marks and then seal them.

We purchased a granite named "Gallo Napolean." The colors are a mixture of blacks, greys, plum and beige.

Will the steal wool damage the granite? We really haven't tried to clean them yet, is there a product that is better to use?

Also, we are unsure of what sealer to use.

ANSWER:

Preparing for sealing granite countertops is easy. You want all grime and goo from the install removed. Usually the installers will do this using acetone (a solvent that won't hurt stone at all). If not, then you do it.

Of course, you don't use acetone for general granite countertop care. For that you want to use a good Granite Countertop & Marble Cleaning spray.

Once completely clean and dry, then applying a granite sealer is a snap if you can follow a couple simple directions.

We've used plenty of granite and marble sealers and you'll find our best recommendations at the Stone Care Center although the top sealer currently on the market is SenGuard Marble & Granite Sealer forming permanent bonds.

I'm curious about steel wool...

The steel wool won't hurt the granite (granite is much harder than steel wool), so there is nothing wrong with the suggestion, but I don't see any reason to use it.

Steel wool can be helpful for removing the crust of hard water deposits before cleaning granite or for minor repairs on marble and travertine....

Installer says to use it to remove the "water marks"...

What water marks?

If you have some unusual marks or stains at this point, then I'd be looking to the installers for the remedy because you shouldn't have any such marks or stains.

Unless, of course you have very hard water. It would be pretty tough to get a build-up so quickly after a new install, but if you have white crusty mineral deposits, then the steel wool can help remove the bulk of them.

However, if you have dull and/or light-colored spots, then there is something weird going on with your granite countertops.

If you'd like in-depth information about sealing granite countertops, how to apply granite sealers, etc. then check out the All About Sealing ebook.

Good Luck,
Ryan

Preparing For Sealing Marble Floors

by Dawn
(Florida)

QUESTION:

Can I wipe marble floors before putting on sealer?

ANSWER:

Yes, of course you should sweep, damp mop and dry several times prior to sealing marble floors to be sure and remove as much dirt and dust as possible.

Also, if this is a new installation, you need to wait 2-3 weeks before applying the marble sealer to allow all moisture to evaporate from the stone.... otherwise you'll trap it and that is very bad for the stone!

For more information about marble sealers and sealing marble, granite and any stone properly check out the "All About Sealing" e-book mentioned above.

Good Luck,
Ryan

Should We Seal Underside Of Granite After Installation

by B L
(Chicago, IL)

QUESTION:

We have just received tropic brown granite countertops in our newly remodeled kitchen.

It has yet to be attached, but will hit that stage in about a day or so.

Should we be worried about the exposed underside of the granite both above where our drawers are open, and in a section where there are no cabinets below and the underside is exposed in a little breakfast bar-type area?

I have heard of people applying a lacquer or other material, but am unsure as to whether I should do this.

I'm trying to minimize any exposure to the 'rough' granite side for both mine and my pets' health. But I don't know if I'm being over-paranoid or not after reading a "radon" article about our choice of stone.

Apparently Tropic Brown is the second highest emitter of radon in a study I read, of the sample pull of popular granite colors.

I realize that we can't add a sealer to the underside before final installation because it won't adhere to other surfaces properly.

I was only concerned with potentially manually "painting on" whatever applicant necessary to accomplish this task. Any advice?

ANSWER:

No, you should not seal the underside. Stone needs to breath... or it will degrade.

And yes... you are being paranoid. Several scientific investigations have looked at granite and radon and found allegations that granite is dangerous to be without merit.. almost ridiculous.

Essentially, granite is a very low emitter of radon and many other materials in your home emit far more than granite countertops do.

Even if you wanted to reduce any radon emissions you would likely have to put a topical sealer (forms a coating on the surface) vs. an impregnating sealer (works just below surface) to stop any emission. A topical would be even worse for the granite and may not even stop the radon.

But note... You may not have to apply a granite sealer at all.

Tropic brown is typically dense enough to make sealing unnecessary. Often it cannot be sealed.

But still, you should perform the "water test" (links above and below).

Good Luck,
Ryan

Waiting To Apply Granite Sealer After Installation

QUESTION:

How long do I wait before sealing a granite countertop after it has been installed?

ANSWER:

You don't have to wait at all when sealing granite after installation.

But FYI... for stone floor tile or wall installations (or any installation where the stone is laid directly onto another surface...) you need to wait a good 2-3 weeks to allow all moisture to evaporate from the stone and any grout before applying a granite sealer.

Stone needs to breath. A typical countertop can be sealed right away because the underside is exposed to air inside the cabinets and any remaining moisture will still evaporate even after sealing.

But if you sealed a floor right away, you could end up trapping moisture which could lead to degradation of the stone and other issues.

Which is also the main reason why sealing stone in a wet environment like a shower is usually not a good idea.

To prepare for sealing granite you simply have to clean the countertops first removing all glue, goo and gunk left from the install or other remodeling and construction. Acetone works best followed by a good granite cleaner. But once that is done, you can go ahead with sealing granite countertops.

However, you don't have to do it right away either.

Don't fall for the myth that "all granite must be sealed every year" that you may commonly read online or even hear from some professionals... totally false.

Some granites are very porous and will stain easy. These types (Kashmir is the most popular) should be avoided since they are so porous they can be problematic even after sealer application.

But many granites are so dense that you can't "seal" them even when you try. These are naturally non-absorbent, won't absorb the granite sealer and are nearly impossible to stain.

And then the majority of granite countertops could benefit from a stone sealer.

But you need to perform the lemon-juice or water test for sealing granite first to see which type you have.

If testing shows you should apply a granite sealer, then I'd suggest using one of these recommended marble & granite sealers.

Some people put themselves into a panic thinking that sealing marble or granite countertops must be done the day of installation or they might stain the tops and ruin them forever.

Now sealing granite makes sense (if needed) as part of install or sooner rather than later, but no need for such worry.

You are likely to be very vigilant cleaning new countertops and your risk of staining is pretty small if for some reason you had to wait a few days or even weeks to apply a sealer.

Even if you did stain them, it's not a big deal. Stains in stone are rarely permanent and can be easily removed in most cases.

Of course, the benefit of sealing granite countertops (when they need it) is to help prevent staining so you don't have to bother with removing stains.

If testing shows your tops could take a sealer, then clean and apply when ready.

Regards,
Ryan

Which Type of Sealer Applicator

by Gayle DeWitt
(San Jose, CA)

QUESTION:

I want to seal my granite myself but don't know what kind of applicator to use to get the smoothest application that won't bubble or streak. Sponge? Microfiber cloth? Regular weave fabric? Absorbent cloth or not?

ANSWER:

The type of applicator you use will not affect nor cause bubbling and streaking, which develop from an improper application.

You need to saturate the stone so it's important to get enough sealer on the surface to create a thin continuous liquid film, so you don't want to use something too absorbent like a sponge.

A thin cloth can work, a paint brush or paint pad is good too, but you don't want to "paint" on the sealer. The stone won't get enough of the sealer to be effective.

You pour the sealer onto the area to be sealed and spread it around with paint brush, cloth or sponge to form the film. Once the stone has absorbed as much as possible, you need to completely wipe all residue from the surface or you'll get the streaks.

So, you'll want an absorbent cloth for the final wipe, but it can be a regular cotton cloth. Just have enough to do the job.

For complete information and instructions about applying marble and granite sealers get All About Granite & Marble Sealers Manual.

Sincerely,
Ryan