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Baltic Brown Granite TILE

Article Number: 327 | Rating: Unrated | Last Updated: Tue, Aug 14, 2007 at 12:00 AM

Hi, we're installing Baltic Brown Granite Tile as a kitchen counter. Some conflicting information on the site as to whether the granite tile itself needs sealing, but what about our grout? Should we use sanded vs. non-sanded if we're not sealing the entire counter surface?

Dear Judy:

Typically Baltic Brown can't take any impregnator (a.k.a. sealer) in; but a few batches can be borderline. To find out if your stone can be sealed, do this:

Spill some water on a couple of tiles of your countertop, let it dwell for 5 minutes or so, wipe it dry and observe if the areas under which the water has been sitting have become (temporarily) any darker than the rest. If so, then you will apply a good-quality impregnating sealer. If not, don't bother.

Now, for the grout: use color-matching caulking material and you will be a very happy camper! No sealing, no difficult cleaning - just plain enjoyable!

Why do I have to think of everything all the time?!... LOL

Now remember, it's never too early to think about the proper maintenance of your stone. The issue of what you'll be doing day in and day out to your stone is far more important than the sealing itself and it's all too often neglected. As you can tell by reading many of this site's postings, you're not likely to get good information about it from your dealer or installer. Don't become another statistic! By logging into the Helpful Hints section of our website at: http://www.marblecleaning.org/helpful-hints.htm, you will be able to get the short version of our maintenance guidelines at no charge. The full version of it – a 7-page document considered by many as an industry benchmark – is available in pay- per-download format in our Educational Literature section at: http://www.marblecleaning.org/literature.htm.

And remember, every single penny of the cost of the literature will be used to support this site and its cause: your cause.

While you are in the “Helpful Hints” section, do spend some time reading all of the interesting FREE articles you'll find in there!

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By spreading the word about this valuable site among your friend & family and the stone trades' people you've been dealing with, you will be rendering everybody a valuable service!

Thank you

Ciao and good luck,

Maurizio Bertoli

www.marblecleaning.org – The only Consumers' Portal to the Stone Industry Establishment!