Marble is a beautiful material that many homeowners want to use in their homes. However, marble is also very porous and can stain easily. There are many reasons why it’s important to seal marble surfaces, but there are also some instances where you should not seal the surface of the stone. This article will cover when you should and shouldn’t seal your marble surfaces like countertops, floors, walls, etc.
So, to seal or not to seal marble? You would want to seal your marble if the marble is new or it’s in a high-traffic place where people walk or use often like the marble floor or the kitchen where marbles see a lot of grease and oils. On the other hand, you do not want to seal your marble surfaces if they are just decorative and present no risk of getting dirty or damaged with time.
There is obviously more to this topic. To learn more about when to seal and when not seal your marble surfaces, keep reading this article.
When Should You Seal Your Marble Surfaces?
1. You Should Seal Marble On High Traffic Places
You should seal your marble surfaces like countertops, floors, walls, etc. if they are in high-traffic areas that people walk by or over often and could dirty the surface.
These high-traffic areas would normally include places around the kitchen, door entrances, and any other areas where people walk by often.
If you have high-traffic places that are marble, they should be sealed to protect the surface from dirt and grime build-up.
This will help make your marble surfaces last longer without needing constant refinishing, which can wear away at the stone over time.
Other places like areas around the bathtub where the marble is not in high-traffic, but wet often should also be sealed.
2. Seal Marble Surfaces That See A Lot Of Greases
You would also want to consider sealing your marble surfaces when it is being used for cooking as well.
This is because grease can be left behind from bacon bits and such which will cause stains over time.
So if you have marble installed around cooking or barbecue spots, it is best to seal it as well.
This is because oil and grease can seep through the pores of the marble since marble is such a porous material.
This means it will absorb quite a lot of the oils and water from the air when not sealed, you can end up with mold and mildew which will cause problems down the line.
3. Seal Marble Surfaces That Are Often Wet
As hinted before, although the bathroom may not be a high traffic spot, it is relatively important to seal such areas as well.
Other places in your home that will require sealing due to them getting constantly wet apart from the bathroom would be around sinks, bathtubs, kitchens, or laundry rooms where they get wet often.
This will help make sure that your marble surface lasts longer without needing constant refinishing, which can wear away at the stone over time.
You also want to consider other places where the marble is not in high traffic but generally sees a lot of water.
4. Seal Marble Surfaces That Exposed To The Weather Elements
Another reason why homeowners may opt to seal their marble surfaces is if it’s outdoors or near windows where there is sun and rain exposure.
Sealing marbles in these spots will help keep any fading at bay while still keeping the natural beauty of the stone.
Also, you want to seal your marble surfaces if they are in a humid environment. You can always use one of those clear penetrating stains that would soak into the surface and create an invisible barrier for protection.
5. Kids And Pets
You may also want to seal your marble surfaces if you have kids who will often spill or leave wet footprints on them.
A marble sealant that you can buy at Amazon will protect the marble surface from scratches and also help make it easier to clean up after your kids or pets have been playing on the floor.
All kinds of moisture will cling to the fur of your furry friend which could potentially leave spots on your marble surfaces.
It’s always smarter to use a clear penetrating stain that would soak into the stone instead of just applying a topical coating as this can chip away with time while still leaving the marble surface unprotected against water damage.
6. Seal If The Marble Seal Has Faded Or Has Never Been Sealed
Another instance where you should seal your marble surfaces is if the surface does not have any type of protective coating on it already.
If the marble seal has faded or has never been sealed, you may want to consider sealing it. The surface will need more protection from scratches and also help make it easier to clean up.
The stone’s natural oils may wear away and leave a dull finish over time without being sealed which can cause stains to happen more easily in high-traffic areas.
The permanent protection will make them easier to clean as well as maintain that new shine for years to come!
7. Seal Marble Surfaces When They Are New
The best time to seal marble surfaces is when they’re new and not yet stained by prolonged exposure to any adverse conditions, natural elements, and use.
This way, you can enjoy the benefits of keeping them protected without having any unsightly stains or dullness from grease build-up making your once shiny floors look dark gray with age.
It will create a protective layer between dirt particles and your beautiful stone flooring so that future cleanings will only require soap and warm water instead of harsh solvents.
Even it’s time to reseal, you will only need to apply the sealant and then buff your marble floor with a dry cloth or towel – no rinsing required!
This will also keep them looking as beautiful as when they were new for years.
When Sealing Marble May NOT Be Necessary
1. Do NOT Seal Marble If You Want Natural Patina
Sealing your marble may not be necessary if you want the natural shine to show on your marble surfaces. As you continue to use your marble surfaces, they will get their own protection from oil and dirt that may come in contact with it.
Keep in mind that this does not mean you can neglect cleaning your stone though! It is still necessary for regular deep cleans as well as occasional touch-ups when needed!
If you have a lot of time or money invested into resealing the surface periodically, then by all means go ahead and seal away but if not, some people prefer just letting nature do its thing without any additional intervention.
2. Not Be Necessary If It’s An Indoor Decorative Piece
You should not seal your marble surfaces if they are just decorative and present no risk of getting dirty or damaged with time.
The main reason people would seal their marble surfaces is to prevent them from becoming stained or damaged with time.
Many homeowners are looking for a way to protect the appearance of their floors, countertops, and walls without having to invest in frequent deep cleanings and touch-ups because it can be costly and time-consuming.
You wouldn’t want to go through all that expenses if your marble isn’t susceptible to any condition that can damage it.
3. Do Not Seal Marble If You Want It To Breath
Some people may feel that sealing their marble surfaces will protect them from becoming stained or damaged.
However, you would want your marble to breathe so it can stay as clean and beautiful as possible without any sealant build-up over time.
The best way to go about this is by occasionally wiping down the surface with a residue-free cleaner and then allowing the natural oils in the stone to do their job.
This process will keep your marble looking great without accumulating dirt, debris, and grime on top of a layer of sealant which could cause stains later on due to trapped moisture.
Just be sure not to use anything abrasive like steel wool pads because they have the potential to damage the surface for years to come if used too often.
Having said that, it is important to add that sealer technology is getting better about letting the marble breath.
Important Tips If You Do Not Want To Seal Your Marble Surfaces
If you are the type of person that does not want to seal your marble surfaces, then it is important to keep in mind the following tips to keep your marble surfaces safe.
These tips includes:
- Use a non-scratch sponge when cleaning, as this will not damage the surface.
- Only use water-based cleaners on your marble surfaces to avoid damaging them with harsh chemicals or detergents that may contain bleach or other harmful substances.
- Include an anti-natural stone sealant in every home renovation project so you do not have to worry about sealing your marble surfaces later.
- Ensure the right placement of marble surfaces in the home so that they are not at the mercy of the weather elements. Also, ensuring good placements around the house will make it easier for you to clean and keep up with your marble if there are fewer obstacles.
- Keep marbles away from high-traffic areas such as kitchens and bathrooms; these places have a higher risk of spills that may cause stains on the surface.
- Keep marble surfaces away from direct contact with the floor so that it can maintain its natural beauty.
- Embrace the changes on your marble surfaces and try not to worry too much about how they will look later in the future.
- Seal marble surfaces when you are ready for some aesthetic changes or if you want a little more protection against stains.
- Do not seal your marble surfaces if it is heavily exposed, such as exterior walls, floors, countertops near windows or sliding doors, etc., because these areas get most of their exposure from sunlight which can cause discoloration on your marble surface overtime.”
Conclusion
So in conclusion, to seal marble or not to seal marble will all come down to how your marble surface is used and essentially what you want and what expectations are for your marble surfaces.
Just think: what kind of aesthetic changes do you want? Do you want more protection against stains? If so, then you know what to do!
I hope this article has been helpful for you who have marble countertops or floors and are looking into how they can maintain them properly!