What Happens If You Don’t Seal Marble?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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If you don’t seal your marble floors,

any bit of moisture leaking through

could cause marble to lose its shiny, glossy look.

Does marble need to be sealed?

Most stone experts recommend

sealing your marble countertops every 3-6 months

, depending on the color and quality of the marble. To preserve the quality of your stone surface, you need to be diligent about sealing it.

What happens if you don’t seal stone?


Stains from Water

When granite and other types of natural stone are properly sealed, they repel liquids and prevent them from permeating into the stone. … Without sealing, water will penetrate the stone and leave behind water marks, some small, some large, giving your stone a perpetually dirty appearance.

How do you know if marble needs to be sealed?


Wipe up the Water Spot

, and see if you need a marble sealer

After around 10 minutes, wipe up the water spot completely from the marble surface. If your surface has a dark spot where the water was present then you need to consider applying a marble sealer because the stone does not currently have a sealer.

How often do you have to seal marble?

Sealant products range from recommending use

every 6 months to every decade

. However, it is safest to seal your countertop every 6 months to 1 year, to ensure your marble remains in its best condition for as long as possible.

Can you seal marble yourself?

Sealing granite or marble can be a ‘Do It Yourself’ project, but only if your stone is not already showing signs of wear-and-tear. … You should look for a

solvent-based, penetrating sealer

, which will soak deep into the pores of the stone and seal them so that liquid will not seep into the stone.

How much does it cost to seal marble?

Home.costhelper.com lists the average cost of sealant to be approximately $30-$60 a quart while it can cost from

$40 to $300+

to seal the marble, depending on size and condition.

Does marble sealer make it shiny?

Protecting Glossy Marble

An impregnating sealer will keep your polished marble looking glossy, but

will not change its

color or add additional shine to the stone. Use it on new marble tiles and on tiles whose color you currently enjoy.

Does sealing granite make it shiny?

ANSWER:

A sealer will not polish granite or make it shine

. Standard impregnating sealers absorb into the stone and do not affect the color or surface finish, so you can rule out applying a granite sealer.

Which granite does not need sealing?


Ubatuba granite

most often does not need sealing because it is typically a very dense, low-absorbency stone that is naturally stain-resistant.

What do you clean marble with before sealing?

Before sealing your marble floor, thoroughly clean it with

a pH-neutral cleaner made for marble

. Do not use cleaners containing acid (including vinegar), which can etch the stone. Let the floor dry completely.

What do you use to seal marble?


Impregnating sealers

are the best bet for marble surfaces because they’re formulated to go in just below the surface of the stone to slow the absorption of staining liquids rather than sitting on top. They will NOT protect against etching.

Does polished Carrara marble need to be sealed?

Carrara marble is delicate, and it needs to

be sealed frequently to keep it protected

from spills and other potential dangers. Sealing the marble keeps moisture out of the naturally porous stone. We recommend sealing this marble at least once a year.

Can water stain marble?

Water stains are yet another common stain that occurs on marble. These stains can be the result of a water glass that was left on a marble countertop for too long, or from hard water buildup around sinks and showers.

Can Magic Eraser be used on marble?

Magic Erasers are abrasive, so

avoid using them on delicate countertops

such as marble and granite. Not only can you damage the sealant but the eraser may make the countertop appear dull.

How do I make my marble shiny again?

Dry the marble top with a chamois cloth.

Buff it to a shine by rubbing the entire surface with the cloth in small circles

. Cover the surface with commercial stone polish or marble-polishing paste if you want more shine after buffing with a chamois. If using a spray-on stone polish, wipe with a soft rag.

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.