Are you having doubts about whether your stone surface is sealed or not? What test can you do to check the seal?
Natural stones look exquisite, but most natural stones are porous in nature. This means that if water is left standing on the surface of natural stone, it will eventually seep through which can damage the finish or create a permanent stain. This is why professionals perform stone sealing to prevent moisture from getting inside.
In today’s blog post, we will explore a simple test you can perform at home to check whether your stone surface is sealed or not. Keep reading to learn more!
The Water Test
You can start the water test by thoroughly cleaning the surface area. Make sure it is completely dry and clean. Take some water and apply a drop of it onto the stone surface.
Let the water sit on the stone surface for around 30 minutes. If the water evaporates or just stays in the form of a puddle on the surface, it means your stone surface is properly sealed. On the other hand, if the water seeps into the stone, this indicates that your stone surface is not properly sealed. The water that seeps inside the stone surface will darken it.
In summary, if the water maintains a puddle or evaporates and the surface colour doesn’t change, it means the surface is properly sealed. On the other hand, if the water seeps through the stone surface and leaves a darkened colour, this means there is no seal and a fresh sealant needs to be applied.
Benefits of Sealing Stone Surfaces
There are several advantages of sealing your natural stone surface. This is why experts recommend getting natural stone surfaces professionally sealed.
One of the biggest advantages of sealing a stone surface is that it brings out the natural colour and texture of the stone. It will appear more professional and richer after proper sealing. In fact, you can also choose a finish such as matte or high-gloss.
Another benefit of sealing natural stone surfaces is that it helps protect them against regular wear and tear. Proper sealing will preserve the natural stone surface and keep it looking like new for a longer period of time. This means you’ll need to seal your natural stone surface every so often.
Sealing can also help in protecting natural stone surfaces from UV rays. Moreover, natural stones are porous and proper sealing will prevent stains from greases, food and spills. This makes natural stone surfaces easier to clean and maintain.
Different Types of Sealants for Stone
A wide range of sealants is available in the market for natural stone. The 3 main types of sealants include:
- Surface sealant — As the name implies, a surface sealant is a coating applied on the surface only. It can be easily removed when necessary. Surface sealants need to be reapplied on a regular basis.
- Penetrating sealant — Penetrating sealants are also known as permanent coatings and are not as easy to remove as a surface sealant. They are usually made of solvent-based polymers.
- Impregnating sealant — Impregnating sealants need to be applied professionally. They are an excellent choice for outdoor stones as they don’t change the appearance and are not affected by UV light. They also have a really long life.
As far as choosing a particular type of sealant is concerned, it depends on your requirements and budget. Impregnating sealers are the best as they completely fill the pores and fissures in the stone surface. Good quality sealers are typically capable of lasting anywhere from 10 to 15 years.
Final Thoughts
Overall, a simple water test is enough to tell you whether your stone surface is properly sealed or not. If it isn’t properly sealed, you should immediately call a professional to do proper sealing. There are water-based sealants that can be easily applied on your own, but if you want to use impregnating sealants, you need to take the help of a professional with experience in the application of such stone sealants.
The Stone Restorer offers stone sealing, repair, cleaning and polishing services. We have several decades of experience in stone restoration and ongoing maintenance.
Give us a call today at 0414 469 301 or ask us for a fast free quote on your tile cleaning or restoration project.
