Wednesday, March 28, 2012

How to Seal Granite


For our DIY homeowners, we have some little tricks that we've developed over the years to determine if your granite needs to be sealed or not.  Some types of granite will need sealing, while other may not.  By following the simple steps below you'll be able to determine if this is something that needs to be done.  If so, you'll need to determine if it's a small enough granite sealing job to do yourself or if you'll need to contact your local granite sealing company.

The paper towel trick:  Wet a white paper towl and leave on the granite counter or floors and wait aprox. 5 minutes.  If the water that has been soaking turns a darker shade, then it's safe to say that the granite needs to be sealed.

For smaller jobs, for let's say, a counter top.  Ensure the counter is wiped down and completely dry.  Apply a sealer to the counter using a spray bottle that does not soak one area more than another.

Once your have covered the entire surface, allow the sealer to stay for 25-30 minutes.  Applying another coat after this time and rub with a dry cloth.

After about 60-90 minutes, apply a second coating of the sealant.

Helpful advice:


  • Be sure to start with a clean area.  Allow the surface to completely dry prior to applying the sealer.

  • If you are a DIY sealer, be sure to use a good quality granite sealer.  Using a lower grade sealer or low quality granite cleaning company may cause you to have to seal your granite 6 months from now.

  • If done properly and professionally, sealing should be done every 2-3 years.
For larger jobs and floor sealing, it's always a good idea to contact a marble restoration company or marble cleaning company.  Professionals will ensure that the job is completed in a timely manner as well as clean and neat.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

How to Clean Granite


There's a common misconception that granite restoration and cleaning is almost impossible.  While marble restoration can be challenging, a true marble restoration company should be able to complete the job with ease and precision.

The key to avoiding having to call a granite restoration company is proper caring.  Proper cleaing and care will not only extend the life of your stone, but give it a nice glow.

Proper cleaning of your granite will leave it with a nice shine

Since granite is much different than marble, the care that it entails is also different.  Since granite is a much harder stone, the products used will also differ.

The best cleaning products for your granite are pH neutral.  This means that it is not overly acidic and does not contain harsh chemical or abasives.  Ensuring the quality of your granite cleaning product can be tricky and picking the wrong product, with low quality can actually damage the stone.  If you're in doubt, it's always a good idea to call your local stone restoration or granite cleaning company to inspect the stone and give you a quote.  Most granite restoration companies have the proper equipment and experience, which SHOULD keep the cost down.

Searching locally for Miami marble restoration brings up a bunch of results.  So make sure you ensure the company is fully licensed and experienced with all types of stone.