New granite countertops need sealing?

3 years ago

New home construction (production builder) and getting granite countertops. Do I need to do initial sealing? If so, best product?

TIA

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Miguel Deleon
Original Author

3 years ago

Thank you so much for the info!

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Comments (6)

Shannon_WI
3 years ago
It depends on the granite. Some need sealing, some don’t. I’ve never sealed my granite, but many granites need annual sealing. What is the name of your granite, and can you post a pic of it?
Miguel Deleon thanked Shannon_WI
maifleur03
3 years ago
Ask your builder. You will need to reseal in the future but normally unless there are things in the contract that are specifically stated as buyer finish the day you receive the keys the house should be move in ready. Move in ready normally means that nothing needs to be done. However there will always be things found that were not completed correctly or simply left undone. It will depend on the state laws and how you are purchasing and your lender's requirements and inspection will be done. A walk through with a clipboard before final close beyond any official inspection is always a good thing. Ask the builder about doing this. If you see anything that seems odd to you make a note of it on the clipboard. At one time builders were more relaxed with these inspections but may limit who and how many are allowed into the dwelling. Plan on wearing booties and face masks. The booties are to prevent any last minute dust, which there will be, from being tracked all over. The face mask is because along with the chance of virus there will be dust in the air.

Things I would look at and write down are anything that looks odd be it a difference in how the light reflects off of a hard surface or a line in the carpet when it was from two batches. Electrical outlets secure. There will always be at least one that is loose. Open and close all of the windows, all cabinets, and the garage doors to make certain they work and are easy to move. Sometimes depending on the grade of builder you may need have a long list. Other builders especially when they are aware of what you are doing your list will be small. If the list includes things that are just not to your taste unless they are mechanical or electrical do not expect the builder to correct. Always have your significant other with you it helps for family harmony.
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Shannon_WI
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
“You will need to reseal in the future”

Malfleur03 - that may or may not be true. As I noted in my previous post, it may not be necessary to seal the granite at all. Or it may. It depends on the granite. There are hundreds and hundreds of granites, and it is a mistake to think they all behave the same. They do not. I have never sealed my granite, and it still looks like the day it was installed, and we have not been careful with it.

”Ask your builder”

The builder will inevitably say the counter needs to be sealed. They are not going to take the time to discern which of their granites need sealing and which do not. Also note that some granites which do not need sealing actually will have their appearance marred by sealant. The sealant will sit on top of the granite unable to be absorbed, and cause the granite to appear hazy. When people complain of a haze or a streaky film on their granite counters it is because they sealed granite that did not need it.

The OP would have to provide the name of the granite, or if he does not know the name, then a pic would be helpful. The OP could also test whether the granite needs sealing by dropping some water on it and then waiting 15-20 minutes. If the water stays beaded up on the counter, no sealing is needed. If the water is absorbed into the granite, then sealing is needed.
Miguel Deleon thanked Shannon_WI
Miguel Deleon
Original Author
3 years ago

New Caledonia is the style name.
Shannon_WI
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
I took a couple of screen shots about Caledonia granite. I am not sure if the word “New” in front of the name signifies anything. Caledonia has an absorption rate of 0.18% which is low which is a good thing. It may not need sealing at all. The second screenshot I got mentions that sealing such a dense granite may cause buildup which is the haze I mentioned earlier. The best thing you can do is to drop some water on it, about a palm-size, and see if it absorbs or just sits on top. If the water absorbs, you should seal. If it sits on top, you don’t need to.

Also, sealing is really easy. You just wipe a thin layer onto the counters. Takes 5 minutes. Buy the smallest bottle of 511 sealer at Home Depot and it will still last longer than you will live in the house.