You just had beautiful new stone floors installed and you have been told that you need to seal them. This may seem like another ploy to get you to spend more money on Scottsdale floor care but sealing your stone floors is the easiest way to retain their natural beauty. Compare sealing your stone floors to painting your house. If you don't do it, the paint will chip, discolor and even fade. The same can happen to your stone floors.



The sealer will stop the absorption of liquids that can damage your floors. Even water can leave a stain and other acidic liquids can do more damage. Without sealing, the stone floors can stain, retain odor and erode. But what happens during the process is actually not “sealing” in the literal sense. The sealer allows ventilation that allows the stone to “breathe.”

While the sealer does help preserve your natural beauty, it is not a miracle cure for proper care of your stone floors. It is important to know what sealers can and cannot do for your stone floors:

• Sealers stop surface pitting, scratches, abrasion or etching. The sealer will protect below the surface. You still need to polish and care for the surface.

• Sealers are not waterproof agents. In other words, you can't leave water and other liquids standing and not expect a stain. You should clean up all spills as soon as possible.

• Dirt can still seep into a surface that has been sealed. But you should have an easier time caring for your stone floor.

•A sealer will not create the “shiny floors” look.

The type of sealer you need depends on the type of stone floor. Granite, onyx, limestone and other types of floors require different types of sealers. However, you can use a top grade impregnating sealer on almost any type of stone to retain the “natural” look. If you need more color, use an enhancer sealer. These are made with “wetter” silicon which displays a deeper color.

Remember that sealing does not always include grout color sealing. This is a different process that involves renewing or changing the grout color. Once the grout is cleaned, a ‘color sealer' is painted on the grout's surface. This gives the grout a new, clean surface.

If you need stone sealing, you should consult a professional. Natural stone floors take special care. A company that specializes in floor care in Scottsdale can advise you as to:

• The exact type of sealer you need.

• How to care for you natural stone floor

• What to do if your floor is damaged or stained

• How to hone and polish your stone floor

The beauty of stone floors is that no two floors or sections look alike. Find a Scottsdale floor care company that can help you preserve the uniqueness of your natural stone floors no matter what type of floor you have.

Stone sealing can save you time and money and help protect the beauty and life of your natural stone floors.