How Do You Know Your Granite Countertop Needs To Be Resealed?

Granite countertops are a distinguished element to add to your kitchen, bath, or laundry room. With its naturally upscale appearance, granite offers a ton of personality to a space. If you have granite countertops in your home, it is likely they are one of your favorite things, and you will also likely want to keep them protected. Sealing granite periodically is the best way to protect it. But how do you know when granite needs to be resealed? Here are a few pointers to help you out so you can take the proper action. 

Check the Countertop for Scars and Rough Patches 

Granite is smooth when it is polished down and sealed, but once parts of the finish start wearing away, you can feel a bit of roughness just by running your fingertips softly across the surface. Likewise, you can turn off the lights after the sun goes down and use a flashlight to shine across the surface of the countertop. Get down eye level with the surface while you do, and look for any visible scars, fissures, or patches that seem duller than others. If you spot several imperfections, it may be time to have the countertop resealed. 

Use the Water-Absorption Test to Determine If There Are Issues

Without sealer, granite is porous, and it will absorb water just like most rocks will. When the sealer is good, water will not absorb into the natural stone; you will see it bead up on the surface and pretty much stay put until it evaporates or dries. Put about a tablespoon of water on the countertop, set a timer, and watch what happens. If you come back after a few minutes and the water is gone and there is a darkened spot on the stone, it is a good sign that the countertops need to be resealed. The faster the water leeches into the granite, the more pressing it is that you get the sealing job done. 

Have a Professional Examine the Countertop For You 

If you have tried both of the aforementioned tests and you are still having trouble determining if your granite countertop needs to be resealed, do not hesitate to reach out to a professional granite countertop service for advice. Most will not charge you anything for a free estimate, and during the estimate, they will naturally assess the condition of the countertop to see if it is actually in need of resealing. 


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