Use and Care Manual
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CARE &
MAINTENANCE
CARE & MAINTENANCE PAGE 4 OF 7
NATURAL STONE NEW INSTALLATIONS
Sealing is strongly recommended for newly installed marble and other Natural Stone to provide maximum below surface stain
protection. Immediately after Natural Stone has been installed and grouted, the new installation should be covered with brown
paper to protect it from debris during the remaining construction process. The protective brown paper should remain in place until
construction is completed and the area is opened to intended (post-construction) use.
Pre-Grout Sealing
A non-sanded grout is strongly recommended for Natural Stone installations due to the narrow grout joints customarily preferred.
This type of grout has very ne particles of cement, polymers and color pigments that can penetrate the microscopic pores
of the stone surface where they become trapped and appear as a stain in the stone. Therefore, all travertine, slate, tumbled
stone and honed/amed/unpolished granite should be sealed prior to the grouting process to protect them from staining. The
application of a good quality sealer should be used as a grout sealer and applied again as the nal sealing process once the
installation is nished.
Sealing
A premium natural look penetrating/impregnating sealer is the normal choice on polished or honed marble, limestone, granite,
or where the natural color of a slate is desired. A stone enhancer sealer is often used on tumbled, antique stones or on slate
where a darker, enriched or highlighted character is desired. When choosing either one of these types of sealers, make sure the
brand you have chosen is formulated to provide maximum stain protection for stone products. Stone products should be tested
periodically per manufacturer’s instructions to insure that the sealer is working effectively.
Penetrating/impregnating stone sealers are a no-sheen, natural look sealer that can be water-based or solvent-based, good
for interior and exterior applications. Most quality sealers of this type are rated to protect the stone for several years. Stone
enhancer sealers are also a no-sheen, penetrating/impregnating sealer that is formulated to darken, enrich and highlight the
natural color and beauty of stone products. They will rejuvenate and improve the appearance of worn and weathered stone.
Always test loose pieces of stone to ensure desired effect with enhancing sealers. However, they will also darken the color of
grout joints. They are, generally, suitable for interior and exterior use, and rated to protect the stone for several years. Always
reference manufacturer’s literature for specic information on the duration of the sealer’s protection and make sure that the
sealer is applied in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
Finishing
A stone oor nish should be applied to a polished Natural Stone oor only. This type of product will help enhance the shine
and provide a protective coating for “soft” or polished marbles. Verify the nish is a wax-type nish designed to add luster and
enhance the beauty of sealed and polished Natural Stone only. A topical nish may change the appearance and performance
of your stone, so always test a small area rst. Application of topical sealer or wax should never be done as an attempt to add a
shine to a honed, scratched or non-polished stone product. This will only create maintenance and/or a slip resistance problem.