How To Seal Marble Tiles
Marble, unlike porcelain or granite, is porous enough that it can easily absorb liquids and stains. In order to protect marble from dirt, soils and food, it should be sealed with a stone sealer once a year. There are three types of stone sealers, topical, penetrating and impregnating sealers. Topical sealers only sit on the surface of the stone and can easily be worn off with a mild degree of traffic. Penetrating sealers contain chemicals that penetrate and bond with the capillaries of the marble and form a barrier against stains and liquids. Impregnating sealers are a type of penetrating sealer but are generally only used on outdoor commercial surfaces in order to resist the effects of the weather. A penetrating sealer is appropriate for most applications, and, being as simple to apply as a topical sealer but lasting many times longer, it is much more time and cost effective. Applying sealer is a simple task that will take under a half hour for most areas of tile. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Sealing Marble
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1
Thoroughly clean the surface that is to be sealed of any loose dirt, debris or dust. If the surface has been wet, allow it to dry for 48 hours before sealing.
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2
If the sealer does not come in a spray bottle, pour it into one. This will make it much easier and quicker to evenly apply the sealer.
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3
Test a small amount on an inconspicuous area. Allow the sealer to dry. Sealer will generally darken marble just slightly. If the changes in color are beyond your liking, contact the manufacturer or retailer.
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4
Spray the sealer over the surface of the marble until the tile is thoroughly wet.
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5
Spread the sealer with the terrycloth evenly across the marble. Let it sit for 15 minutes. During this time the sealer will penetrate the marble and then be forced back to the surface, resulting in tiny pools of sealer.
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6
Wipe up any excess sealer that has pooled on the surface with the sponge. Do not get the surface wet for 48 hours.
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