You're Probably Not Sealing Your Natural Stone Tile Floors Enough

Stone is one of the most durable materials you can choose as your flooring material, but there are some things you need to know about natural stone tiles before you buy. For instance, how often should you be sealing your natural stone tile floors? If you don't do it often enough and properly, the tiles become vulnerable to wear and tear, stains, and water damage. Such everyday exposures will end up dulling these natural beauties and eventually shorten their lifespan.

Homeowners looking to install natural stone tiles should keep in mind that they're highly porous, which is why sealing them once during the installation process is hardly enough. The last thing you want to do is invest in expensive flooring only to end up getting rid of your natural stone floors because the tiles are discolored or chipped. 

The ideal sealing frequency is dependent on the room the natural stone tiles are in. For general indoor spaces such as kitchens and living rooms, resealing every three to five years should be sufficient, regardless of the type of stone tile. However, when it comes to tiles installed in bathrooms and showers, they will likely need to be resealed every six months to a year, depending on how often these areas are used. These tiles are exposed to higher humidity and moisture levels than those in kitchens or living rooms.

If you want to keep natural stone tile flooring in tip-top shape, staying on top of maintenance is key, and that includes knowing when it's time to reseal. One of the easiest ways to check is by performing a quick and simple test using water. The best thing about this test is that it is seriously no-frills and requires no tools.

Simply pour a bit of water onto the surface of your stone tiles. If the water pools on the surface, the sealant is still doing its job. However, if the water soaks right into the stone and darkens it, it's time for a reseal. Easy, right? The more you know, the better prepared you'll be to take care of your natural stone tiles and keep them looking beautiful. Do you already have natural stone tiles? It's never too late to learn how to properly care for your flooring.

If it's been determined your floors need to be resealed, the next thing you'll need to decide is whether you want to take it on as a DIY project or seek out a professional to do the job. If you're working on a tight budget, there's good news: Most experts say it's a task that's easy enough for people to tackle on their own in two to three days.