There is a huge demand for natural stone these days. Although expensive, natural stone look beautiful, are eco-friendly, and lend elegance and style to any structure they are used in.
But there is one big downside of natural stone, and that is it’s porous and prone to staining. This is why using a natural stone sealer is absolutely indispensable.
What is a natural stone sealer?
When natural stone is called porous, it means they have interconnected capillaries inside, which suck in all kinds of liquids. This is true for all porous substances, which are actually like a hard sponge, absorbing liquids, dissolved salts, minerals, and contaminants.
Some stones are more porous than others, such as sandstone. Denser stones like basalt are much less porous and slower to absorb liquids.
Since natural stone gets eroded by all these contaminants over time, they must be protected with a natural stone sealer. Sealers are of two kinds-penetrating and topical.
Penetrating sealers get absorbed into the stone, without altering the look or finish of the natural stone. The sealer bonds inside with the stone, creating an oil- and water-repelling barrier to prevent staining.
Topical sealers, on the other hand, are applied on the surface of the stone, and can alter the texture and finish. Topical natural stone sealers are less durable than penetrating sealers. Both topical and penetrating sealers are considered breathable, because they allow vapor transmission.
Importance of stone sealing
Natural stone is high maintenance, especially if they are highly porous. If the stone isn’t sealed, contaminants will not only alter the look and color of the stone but also cause damage. If your house is made of natural stone, you must take exceptional care of it, to avoid staining and erosion.
A natural stone sealer is usually applied by default when the stones are laid. If you have natural stone flooring, you must sweep or vacuum the floor as often as possible, to remove dust and dirt, and prevent the debris from settling in the joints.
When using a wet mop, always use a natural stone cleaner to preserve the pH balance of the stones. Make sure to pick a cleaner that doesn’t damage the natural stone sealer or make the stone more vulnerable to stains.
Solistone & Concrete Care is a leading natural stone and concrete restoration company based in California. Contact us for affordable and quality service for all your stone and concrete needs.