Yes, You Should Seal Your Granite
Sealing your granite provides an invisible layer of powerful protection. Due to granite’s porous structure, unsealed countertops are susceptible to staining from a variety of substances. If you take proper care of the granite, however, it will last you for decades.
The Water Drop Test
To test whether your stone needs to be sealed/resealed, you can perform a simple test using water. Take a few drops of water and sprinkle them on your countertops. The water should immediately bead up. Wait fifteen minutes and check the water droplets. If the water is still present on the counter, your granite does not need to be sealed at this time. If, however, the water has soaked into the stone, leaving behind dark marks, you should consider applying a granite sealant. Once the stone dries out, the small stains left behind from the water test will disappear.
Granite countertops that are cared for with regular daily maintenance, particularly after each meal, will rarely have staining or cleanability issues. Once properly sealed, the stone will be more resistant against everyday dirt and spills*. You should seal your granite every 6-12 months, depending on countertop use. It is important to follow manufacturer’s instructions carefully, as different brands might require different steps.
Upgrade to a 15-year Warranty Kit
In addition to Granitech’s One Year Warranty, Granitech offers a supplemental warranty kit for your investment in natural stone countertops. The DuPont™ StoneTech® Professional Warranty Kit includes the BulletProof® Sealer which offers an invisible layer of powerful protection. Armed to not only repel common household stains, the revolutionary premium sealer provides maximum protection against the toughest oil and water based stains. The sealer is also free of solvent-based chemicals, helping to protect the environment – and your environment. Your Kit will also include the Revitalizer® Cleaner and Protector, a gentle cleaner for everyday messes.
In addition to all the above benefits, your countertop will also be protected by an industry-leading 15-year residential or 8-year commercial warranty. Your counters will be sealed by our certified professional at the time of installation, giving you absolute peace of mind.
The decision to add the Care Kit to your contract must be decided by the time of template. The sealer must be applied at the time of installation for the warranty to be valid.
If you are interested in learning more about the DuPont™ StoneTech® Professional Warranty Kit, contact our office at (860) 620-1733.
Granitech’s One Year Warranty
Following is a summary of our warranty. The Warranty Form will be provided with other contract forms or upon request.
Granitech warrants the owner of the original installation that stone surfaces installed by Granitech L.L.C. shall be as follows:
- Free from defects that reduce the structural integrity of the stone
- All work performed by Granitech shall be of good quality and in conformance with industry standards
- All material furnished by Granitech shall also conform to industry standards. However, marble, granite, and other stones are products of nature. Therefore, color, markings, and characteristics of the stone vary and cannot be guaranteed as to uniformity. Fissures, inclusions, color and polish variations are inherent characteristics of stone.
- Granitech will repair seams as a result of settlement in the home, or for any other reason, if they occur within one year after installation.
- THE GRANITECH WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER STAINING, ETCHING, WATERMARKS, SCRATCHES, OR NEGLIGENCE AFTER GRANITECH HAS COMPLETED THE INSTALLATION. It is up to the homeowner to properly maintain the countertops.
*According to the Marble Institute of America; http://marble-institute.com/consumers/sealing_stone.cfm