Two Ways to Test Stone Sealer Performance

If you want to do a field test to find out whether the sealer on natural stone is performing, you can choose a quick, informal test, no equipment required, or a more scientific test using a Rilem tube. Here are the details.

Fred Hueston, Chief Technical Director of Surface Care Pros and owner of Stone Forensics recommends checking the absorbency of stone using the following test.

Absorbency Test Instructions

Take a drop or two of water and place it on the surface of the stone.
Record the time it takes to soak into the stone.
If the water soaks into the stone in under five minutes, the stone is absorbent, which means the sealer is not performing.

Hueston explains, “A more scientific approach to check absorbency is to use a RILEM tube.” This is a relatively easy, fast test that can provide quantitative results. Here are Hueston's instructions.

Rilem Tube Test Instructions

Place the tube on the surface of the stone.
Fill the tube with water.
Note the water level.
Wait twenty minutes.
Note the water level again.
If the stone is absorbent, the water in the tube will lower, which means the sealer is not performing.

Learn More

For more information, register to earn a Stone Restoration Master Course Certificate. You'll learn how to restore natural stone floors, countertops, and walls, engineered stone, and granite floors, using the most efficient and effective restoration procedures. Also included in this program is the Stain Care Pro course with a one-year subscription to the Stain Care Pro app and Understanding Sealers.