Stone sealing is the process of applying a sealant to a natural stone surface. The sealant will help protect the stone from stains, rust and weather. A sealant is a product that is put onto the stone to seal the stone and protect it. Natural stone is porous, it has holes in which liquids can travel through. Some stone has bigger holes than other types. Marble, for example, is a very dense stone, which means that the holes are so small that sealants don’t even have to be used.
Stone Sealing In Melbourne
If you have a natural stone surface in your Melbourne home, you may want to contact a stone sealing professional. They will provide you with expert advice and help you understand the process of what is involved. Another good reason to contact a local expert is that it can be very difficult to know which sealant to use for the type of stone surface you have.
Below is a basic outline of the stone sealing process for an outdoor stone surface.
Clean The Area
The first step to stone sealing is to make sure the pavement is clean and free of surface dirt, dust and possible stains from your garden plants. This is done by sweeping the area then using a high-pressure hose to really get the grime and grease off the stone. It is of utmost importance to make the stone surface clean and ready for sealing. If this is not done correctly, the sealant may not penetrate into the stone and the sealing process may become ineffective in the long run.
Protect The Surroundings
Before sealing the stone, you want to make sure that any plants, flowers, outdoor tools and appliances are well protected. It is suggested to place plastic sheets over the area and use masking tape to attach it down.
Stone Sealing
When the surface is completely clean, dry and the surrounding areas are protected, it is time to do the stone sealing. There are many types of sealants on the market, but for best results use a penetrating sealer. Apply the sealer liberally onto the surface and spread it around with a cloth. It is important to give time for the sealer to soak into the stone. Wait about 10 minutes and make sure that all the surface area is completely wet. If there are section that looks like they are dry, apply the sealer to them quickly. The entire surface must be wet with sealer.
Buff The Surface
Once you have given time for the sealant to seep into the stone, you can now use a buffer tool to buff the surface. This will remove any streaking and even out the finish.
Conclusion
The information provided here is meant to be a basic guide on what stone sealing is and how the process works. There are many types of stone surfaces and many different ways to seal the stone in Melbourne. For the best solution contact a local stone sealing business to help you protect your stone for years to come.