How to Protect Granite Around Sink
The granite countertops in your kitchen are sure to be a lovely addition that will bring you joy every time you cook or prepare food. Granite is tough and durable, but it can also get scratched up over time if not correctly cared for.
The good news is that there are ways to protect the surface of your stone counters from damage, so you can continue using them without having to worry about getting scratches on the beautiful finish. So, this article is for you. You will learn how to protect granite around sink with just one simple trick!
Step to Follow on How to Protect Granite Around Sink
Step One: Determine
First things first, you’re going to want to determine if your stone is even capable of being treated. Granite has natural pockets that can be filled full of water when left unfilled for an extensive amount of time. This could lead to disaster if the granite cracks at any point in the future.
You will also need to make sure that you use a suitable sealant. Not all sealants are created equal, and some could damage your granite rather than protect it. Some types of seals that you should not use on granite are silicone, acrylics, and wax.
Silicone is very porous, which allows liquids to seep through the pores of the stone. This can lead to stains being left behind due to water damage or other liquids getting into the pores of the granite itself. Acrylic sealers are not as porous, but they do have one major drawback, they will yellow over time.
Step Two: Clean
You will want to clean the surface of your stone to get rid of dirt, grime, or other contaminants that could prevent your sealant from working correctly. You will also want to make sure that you aren’t using an ammonia-based cleanser when cleaning the granite because it can cloud the pores of your stone.
Instead, it would help if you were using a mild soap or a vinegar and water solution to get rid of grime and debris without causing damage to the stone itself. Of course, you will want to make sure that you don’t use an excessively abrasive scrubbing pad when cleaning your stone, either.
This could lead to scratches on the surface of your granite which would prevent any sealant from adhering properly to the stone itself. If you do get scratches in the stone, you can try to buff them out with an oil-based polish.
Step Three: Get The Right Sealant
Once you have determined that your stone is appropriate for sealing and your granite has been properly cleaned, it’s time to get your sealant. Again, you will want to make sure that you use a penetrating sealer to get the most protection possible.
A penetrating sealer will be able to infuse itself into the pores of your granite, which will help prevent liquid from being able to seep in and causing damage in the future. Oil-based products are also a popular choice when it comes time for sealing because they can fill the pores of your stone with a protective layer.
Then again, oil-based products tend to yellow over time, so your results may vary. You will want to make sure that you are using a sealant specifically designed for use on granite because not all sealants are created equally. Now that you know how to protect granite around sink. You should be able to save a lot of money by doing it yourself.
Step Four: Apply The Sealant To Your Granite
To apply the solution, you should probably put on a pair of gloves to protect your hands from the solution. You may also want to invest in a paper mask or a respirator if you have a respiratory problem. Now that you have protected yourself, it’s time to get down to business and apply the sealant.
There are two different methods for applying the sealant to your granite to protect it against future damage. Depending on what you think works best for you, you can use an airless sprayer or a brush to apply the sealant.
Using one method over another will not affect how effective the sealant is, so you can determine which way works best for you. An excellent alternative to a sprayer, for example, is a soft cloth that you dip into the solution and then use to wipe your granite down.
Step Five: Protect Your Granite
Once you have applied the sealant to your granite, you are advised to protect it from scratches and other damage. This can be done by putting down coasters or doilies under glasses and covering the stone’s surface with clear plastic mats.
These items will help to prevent scratching on your hard surface and will also help to prevent bacteria from forming where you don’t want it. By taking a little bit of time and a little bit of effort, you can make sure that your granite remains protected from damage from now on.
If you have any problems with the sealant, such as occurring excessively around the sink or finding places where the sealant has come off, you should re-apply it immediately. If you don’t, your granite is going to be at risk of sustaining more damage than it would have if you had just taken that extra bit of time to do things right in the first place.
Conclusion
Granite can be a beautiful material, but it is very porous and sealed to protect from stains. For example, protecting granite countertops around the sink requires a sealant that will not only coat the surface of your kitchen’s most used area but also penetrate deep into the pores to create a barrier against liquid spills and other substances.
The experts at Nalco Water have compiled these handy tips for protecting your granite during those busy evenings when you’re cooking up dinner or hosting guests in the evening hours. The conclusion paragraph is informative and provides information on how to protect granite around sink.
You may also read this – How to Insulate Under Kitchen Sink .
