Believe it or not, we love customer questions here at Bedrock Quartz. Asking questions is one of the best ways to learn new things. Here is a question we hear quite a bit: “Is there a way to test my marble countertops for resealing?”
When people ask this question, what they really want to know is how they can tell that it is time to reseal their countertops. It’s actually an important question. More important is the answer. Why? Because marble is a porous surface. Manufacturers and installers seal it to protect it against normal kitchen wear and tear. But no sealant lasts forever.
The good news is that a simple water test will tell you everything you need to know. Let us take a look at how to perform that test. It’s pretty simple.
Step-By-Step Instructions
You will be happy to know that you can conduct a water test in under a half-hour. That’s less time than it takes to cook a decent meal. Here is the process, step-by-step:
Step #1: Select a Test Area
You start by selecting an area to test. It’s a good idea to choose an area that gets a lot of use, like around the sink or where you normally prepare food. Why? Because high-use areas tend to require sealing more often.
Step #2: Apply Some Water
Next, you are going to apply a small amount of water to your test area. Use an eyedropper or a spoon. Note that you don’t need much. You just need enough to see whether the water will penetrate the stone.
Step #3: Wait
The hardest part of the water test is the third step: waiting. You will not be able to tell much after a half-minute or so. In fact, your best bet is to wait 10-20 minutes. This gives the water time to seep into the stone.
Step #4: Soak Up the Water
Even after waiting for the prescribed amount of time, you are still likely to see at least some water on top of the counter surface. Use a dry, soft cloth to soak it up. A cotton t-shirt or bath towel should do the job nicely.
Step #5: Observe the Color
The final step is to observe the color. Compare the test area with the area surrounding it. If you see a ring or a dark spot where you placed the water, you know that the marble has soaked up some of it. Any discoloration is a dead giveaway that it is time to reseal.
Not seeing a ring or dark spot left behind suggests that you’re not ready to reseal quite yet. Wait a few months and run the test again.
If You Do Have to Reseal
If you do have to reseal your marble countertops, be sure to know what you are doing before you start. Set aside an entire day so that you can take your time and do it right. And of course, follow the instructions on the sealer’s package. Do not deviate or try to cut corners.
Also be sure to buy a sealer specifically formulated for your countertop. There are general sealers out there, but you want to make sure that what you are using not only works on marble but will not damage the stone.If you have any questions about marble countertops before you install, pay us a visit at Bedrock Quartz. We can tell you everything you need to know about marble including how to maintain it. And should you choose to purchase marble countertops from us, we will even install them for you.
