Tile & Grout Cleaning

All natural stone is porous, some more than others. For most stone – especially very porous stones like hone-finished limestone and selective granites – the application of a quality penetrating sealer is highly recommended.

The application of a penetrating sealer to a highly polished stone may not be necessary, but when in doubt it doesn’t hurt to have it sealed. If it the sealing prevents some staining, you’ve saved yourself the cost of a stain removal service.

Most stone sealers will not alter the original finish produced by the factory. A penetrating stone sealer is a “below surface” product being absorbed into the stone reducing its natural absorbency rate. This provides protection from accidental spills of staining agents. Some stones are so porous that no sealer can provide satisfactory sealing for an extended period of time. Refrain from applying from a topical sealer, wax or coating.

Some more porous stones may require more than one application of a sealer. At least two applications are recommended on granites. Very porous granites, sandstone, quartzite, etc. may require more sealer applications. When sealer is no longer being absorbed into the stone, it is adequately sealed.

There is no uniform answer; the durability of stone sealer is affected by its exposure to use, heat, direct sunlight and routine maintenance. Generally speaking, most quality penetrating sealers will last 10 years or more – if they are not damaged or removed by the use of improper cleaning methods.

A simple test is to pour some water on your stone surface, wait approximately 30 – minutes and then wipe it dry. If the surface of the stone did not darken, it indicates that the stone is still being protected by the sealer. It’s wise to test various areas, especially those exposed to high use.

While a penetrating sealer will not alter the appearance of your stone, a color enhancing sealer provides protection but will typically give the stone a “wet look”, darkening some colors and making others more vibrant. It is recommended to view a test area of this appearance change before proceeding with a color enhancing sealer application.

Cementitious grout is porous and will absorb liquids, possibly resulting in stain and bacteria growth. Grout sealing provides a stain protection barrier, as well as making routine cleaning and maintenance easier.