DIY: Marble Sealer

Green marble is the least likely to require sealing.

Marble is a porous, calciferous stone used in many homes for countertops, floor and wall tiles. Many types of marble, if not most, require sealing on a regular basis to fill the pores in the stone and help impede staining and liquid absorption. While most installers seal marble during or directly after installation, marble still requires homeowners to reseal the stone on a regular basis as part of the marble's ongoing maintenance.

Things You'll Need

• Water
• Soft cloths
• Stone or marble cleaner
• Impregnating sealer
• Wide-mouthed dish, bowl or bucket
• Foam paintbrush

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Instructions

1. Test the marble to determine if it requires sealing. Sprinkle water over the surface of the marble in an inconspicuous place and allow it to sit undisturbed for 10 minutes. Wipe it away and examine the marble. If it darkened where the water sat, it requires sealing. Many sealers break down at different rates, so test your marble frequently over the course of a year to work out the best maintenance schedule.

2. Clean the marble well before sealing. Spray marble or stone sealer over its surface and buff it clean with a soft cloth. Rinse the marble well to remove any excess cleaner or build-up and dry thoroughly.

3. Pour the sealer into a wide-mouthed dish, bowl or bucket for easy access. Dip the foam paintbrush into the sealer and allow it to soak it up.

4. Paint the sealer onto the marble in broad, overlapping strokes. Look at the marble from an angle to determine if any areas have been missed. The marble should appear very wet and shiny where the sealer was applied. This is normal; the sealer will not affect the overall look and feel of the stone.

5. Let the sealer sit undisturbed for 10 minutes while it penetrates the marble. Buff the marble dry with a soft cloth to remove any excess sealer. Continue buffing until the marble is dry and not tacky to the touch.

Tips & Warnings

• A well-sealed marble should bead water upon its surface like a waxed car. If your marble stops beading, it is time to reseal.

References

• John Bridge.com; Marble Tile; John P. Bridge; April 2011
• Marble Institute of America: Stone Care and Cleaning
• Marble Life: Stone Tips - The Importance of Sealing Your Stone