Granite stone epoxy waterproof
Natural granite is extremely durable and aesthetically pleasing; however, there are some restrictions when using natural granite. Because of how porous granite is, it can absorb moisture through its surface. This often causes a potential for damage to occur if you do not take the appropriate precautions when installing granite-topped surfaces in your home. Therefore, if you will be installing granite-topped surfaces in your home, it is advisable to use some type of epoxy-based waterproofing [or moisture-proofing] product prior to installing these surfaces. By doing this, you greatly reduce the probability of having moisture damage to your granite-topped surfaces after they are installed. In addition to reducing the possibility of having moisture damage to your granite-topped surfaces, epoxy-containment products provide long-term beauty and prevent aggressive staining of your granite-topped surfaces.
Many types of penetrating sealers for granite will allow granite to “breathe” and allow moisture to penetrate their surface; however, using an epoxy sealer (over the surface of granite) creates a seal over granite that does not allow any type of liquid to penetrate (such as water) or for liquids to damage the granite-topped surface. Thus, epoxy sealers are especially useful in areas where the exposure to large amounts of moisture or alcohol is frequent (such as kitchens, bathrooms, or outdoor locations).
The proper surface preparation of your granite-topped surfaces is extremely critical to successfully applying epoxy waterproofness/ moisture proofing products.The following guidelines explain how to properly prepare the surface of the granite countertop for the successful installation of epoxy waterproofing sealer. There is an appropriate way to prepare the granite countertop surface for the application of the epoxy waterproofing. The granite surface must be cleaned of all contaminants prior to applying epoxy waterproofing product. Contaminants can be defined as any previously used coating(s) (sealants and/or waxes), oils, dirt, etc., on the granite surface. The granite must be cleaned to promote the adhesion of the epoxy product to the granite surface. It is important that the granite surface is smooth so that the epoxy product will adhere appropriately. A heavy-duty granite cleaning solution can be formulated with trisodium phosphate for the preparation of the granite surface for the application of epoxy. Trisodium phosphate will remove grease from the granite surface; the granite surface will then be rinsed with clean water to remove any residual chemicals remaining on the granite surface before the application of epoxy to the granite surface. After cleaning, the polished granite surface should be roughened up with sandpaper that has a grit of 80 – 120 in order to create texture for the epoxy to adhere to the granite surface.
The epoxy that you will apply to waterproof your granite surface should be specifically manufactured for use with natural stone. The best epoxy will have a bond strength probability (per square inch) of at least 3000 psi, good chemical resistance to chemicals, and will not yellow as the epoxies age. There are three types of epoxies that can be used for waterproofing granite. They are (1) Clear epoxy – will maintain natural look of stone, (2) Coloured epoxy that closely matches the colour of the stone, and (3) Knife grade epoxy – used for repair applications such as chips or cracks.
Epoxy is an excellent protective coating for granite against water; however, epoxies have disadvantages. An epoxy coating cannot be removed once it is fully cured; therefore, it is considered to be a permanent coating, whereas a sealer will need to be reapplied every 1 – 5 years. An epoxy coating will also lose their gloss over time and an epoxy coating may be damaged by excessive heat. Therefore, you should always use trivets or hot pad or some other item to act as insulating material between the excessive heat generated by your cooking utensil(s) and your epoxy coating. The epoxy waterproofing should last 10 – 15 years if the granite has been properly prepared to applicable standards, the appropriate epoxy has been selected for the application, and the granite has been cleaned only with mild cleaning solutions.
In conclusion, granite epoxy waterproofed stone is an excellent long-term solution for granite waterproofing. By utilizing all three phases (granite surface preparation, epoxy selection and application of epoxy), commercial and residential property owners will be able to maintain the beauty and structural integrity of their granite surfaces for years to come.
