How can I tell if my natural stone needs to be sealed?

Q. How can I tell if my natural stone needs to be sealed?

A. There is a good rule of thumb to find out if your marble, granite, travertine, or other natural stone should be sealed. Spill some water on it and wait for approximately half an hour, then wipe it dry. If the surface of the stone did not darken, it means that the stone does not need to be sealed or is already perfectly sealed. Use this same test to determine when it is time to reseal. Your professional stone restoration contractor should be the one to apply a sealer. However, if you do choose to seal your own stone, be sure that no excess sealer remains on the surface of the stone. Excess sealer on the surface of any stone could create other problems.

If you have questions about sealing, speak to your professional stone and tile contractor, or if you need a PRO, contact us. More information can be found in our free, downloadable Stone and Tile Care Guide and this article: Do I Need To Seal My Grout?