If you’re looking for a stunning and durable countertop material, natural stone is a great choice. However, it’s important to care for your investment properly to ensure it lasts for years to come. In this guide from TOPS Solid Surface, we’ll walk you through the steps to maintain your natural stone countertops. Learn about the importance of sealant, how to apply it, and tips for daily cleaning. Get in touch with us if you have any questions about caring for your countertops.
If you have purchased the TOPS sealant, please move to the “Other Care” section.
Sealant
First and foremost, your new countertops come sealed with a resin sealant which is applied at the
quarry in the country of its origin.
We use water in our fabrication process and the slab absorbs a small amount of water. We
suggest waiting 7 days after installation before applying any additional sealant. This gives any
water absorbed an opportunity to evaporate from the stone. It is not critical that the stone be
completely dry before sealing because it will continue to dry on the underside even if the
surfaces are sealed.
A water-based, commercial grade and food safe sealant can be purchased from us. We sell this
product at a 50% discount from retail pricing. We suggest that you apply one light coat with a
soft cloth, wait two hours and then apply a second coat. Wait two more hours, buff off any
residual sealant and enjoy! These instructions are specific for the sealant we sell and may not
apply to other products. (We recommend that you follow these directions rather than what is
printed on the label.)
Your stone countertops may need to be sealed again depending on the traffic in your kitchen.
More porous stones such as marble, travertine and limestone may need sealing more often. The
areas that usually show sealant degradation first are around your sink and range because these
areas are usually wiped more frequently. The indicator for this is when liquids no longer bead up
on it, but spread out; it may be time to reseal. You can reseal an area such as around the sink or
range without reapplying to all areas. Usually for granite, reapplication may only be required
after several years of use.
Other Care
Your granite is heat resistant but use of hot pads or a trivet is highly recommended as there is no
warranty against heat damage.
For daily cleaning, use a good quality spray bottle and fill it with distilled or bottled water and a
few drops of dish soap. It is the perfect PH neutral cleaner. For a glossier finish, commercial
products are available and can be used occasionally to give a fresh glossiness to the countertops.
Again, we have a commercial grade, food safe product that we sell in our showroom
Please do not hesitate to call if you have any questions about your countertops, we are here to
answer them. Thank you sincerely for the opportunity to provide countertops for your project.