What are sealers?
A sealer is a protective coating or treatment applied to a surface, such as stone, tile, concrete, or grout, to reduce absorption of water, oils, and other contaminants. Sealers form a barrier that helps keep stains, moisture, and dirt from penetrating the material.
What are the benefits of sealing your surfaces?
Using a sealer offers several important benefits, especially for porous materials like natural stone, tile, concrete, and grout. Here are the key advantages:
Stain Protection: Prevents water, oils, wine, dirt, and other liquids from penetrating and leaving permanent stains.
Easier Cleaning: Sealed surfaces resist buildup of grime, making routine maintenance faster and more effective.
Moisture Resistance: Helps protect against water damage, freeze-thaw cracking, and efflorescence in outdoor areas.
Preserves Appearance: Maintains the natural color and texture of the surface, or enhances it if using a color-enhancing sealer.
Extends Lifespan: Reduces wear, erosion, and weathering, keeping the material in good condition longer.
Mold and Mildew Prevention: By reducing moisture absorption, sealers help inhibit mold and mildew growth, especially in damp areas like showers or pool decks.
UV Protection (for some sealers): Outdoor sealers can help prevent fading or discoloration from sunlight exposure.
How often should you seal?
Every situation is unique. Resealing frequency depends on the material and its level of exposure. Surfaces exposed to the elements or heavy foot traffic require more frequent maintenance than protected indoor areas. ecause porous materials are more vulnerable to moisture and staining, they should be treated regularly to ensure lasting protection.
Countertops and high-use kitchen areas typically benefit from annual resealing. Likewise, shower tile and bathroom floors exposed to daily water contact should be resealed once a year—or sooner if absorption becomes noticeable.
For interior surfaces, re-sealing is recommended as needed based on wear patterns. Applying a protective floor finish can extend the life of the sealer and be refreshed as desired.
Outdoor surfaces should be resealed every one or two years to preserve appearance and maximize resistance to weathering.
How do you prepare the surface for sealing?
Proper surface preparation is essential to ensure optimal sealer performance and long-lasting protection. Always make sure the surface is clean, dry, and free of any dust, grease, oil, wax, or other contaminants that could interfere with penetration or adhesion.
If a cleaning product is used prior to sealing, rinse the surface thoroughly to remove all residues and cleaning agents. Any remaining cleaner can leave a film that prevents proper bonding. Allow the surface to dry completely before applying sealer. More porous materials such as travertine, limestone, or concrete may require extended drying time to ensure that all moisture has evaporated from within the surface.
Before beginning, read the entire product label and safety instructions. Always test the sealer on a small, inconspicuous area or sample piece to confirm desired results and compatibility.
For best results, apply only when the surface temperature is between 60°F and 80°F (16°C–27°C) and when conditions are dry and well-ventilated. Avoid applying when the surface is very hot or when rain is expected within a couple hours.
Sealers perform best when applied directly to a bare, untreated surface, allowing for maximum penetration and protection. If the surface has been previously sealed, consider stripping or lightly abrading it before application to ensure proper bonding.
What is the coverage area of the sealers?
Refer to the product label for specific coverage rates, as they can vary by product. In general:
For very porous surfaces: 150-250 sq. ft./gallon
For average density surfaces: 250-350 sq. ft./gallon
For very dense surfaces: 500+ sq. ft./gallon.
Generally, the sealer will go further on a second coat as it did on the 1st coat.
How do you apply the sealer?
Sealers can be applied with a low pressure spray applicator, brush, short nap roller, or lint free rag. Always refer to the product label for specific instructions. Apply sealer evenly and uniformly, avoiding puddling. Use the application method that makes the most sense for the area you are working.
Spray Application: Hold the sprayer approximately 8–12 inches from the surface and apply a consistent, even coat. Ensure complete coverage while keeping the surface uniformly wet during application.
Brush or Roller Application: Apply using even, overlapping strokes to achieve full coverage. Use a brush or roller compatible with solvent-based or water-based products, as indicated on the label.
Cloth Application: For smaller areas or detailed work, use a clean, lint-free cloth to wipe the sealer onto the surface in smooth, even passes, ensuring uniform saturation.
How long should I wait between coats?
The time between coats depends on the type of sealer and environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity.. Refer to individual product label for drying time and coating instructions, as different products have different curing times.
For impregnating sealers, a second coat can be applied 30 minutes to an hour after the first coat.
For enhancing sealers, allow 1-4 hours between coats. Cooler temperatures or high humidity may extend drying times, while warmer, dry conditions may shorten them.
Once applied, stay off the coated surface for 24-48 hours, or until the product is fully cured.
Will the sealer change the appearance of the surface?
Enhancing sealers will enhance or brighten the natural characteristics of the surface to which it is applied. The level of gloss and color enhancement will vary by product.
Impregnating sealers will leave the surface completely natural, with no change in appearance or color.
What is the best sealer for a pool deck?
For natural stone pool decks, impregnating sealers such as PLUS, Magic, Block Out 324, or Block Out 329 are ideal choices. These products penetrate below the surface and form a repellent membrane on the surface. This leaves the stone completely natural in appearance and helping prevent slipperiness. For denser surfaces, the solvent based variety will pentrate better, but the water based options should be good for almost all natural stone surfaces.
If you prefer a richer look with a subtle sheen, Teratone 467 provides deep color enhancement and a satin finish. It’s important to apply this sealer lightly, just enough to saturate the stone without allowing buildup on the surface. For additional traction when using an enhancing sealer, CAT Grip can be added to increase surface texture and reduce slipperiness.
For concrete pavers, the best sealer depends on the desired appearance. For enhanced color and a slightly deeper tone, Conglaze and AGG 888 offers a durable, attractive finish. These both enhance the color and will give a mild gloss as the sealer builds at the surface. If a more natural look is preferred, an impregnating sealer such as PLUS, Magic, Block Out 324, or Block Out 329 will provide strong protection while maintaining the original appearance of the pavers.
Will sealer make the surface slippery?
Impregnating sealers do not change the surface’s appearance or texture, so the level of slip resistance will remain the same as it was prior to sealing.
Enhancing sealers may increase slipperiness on certain surfaces when wet. Because each material reacts differently, it is recommended to test the sealer on a small, inconspicuous area to ensure it provides the desired finish and level of traction.
When using an enhancing sealer, a micro polymer additive like CAT GRIP can be added to the sealer to provide a textured finish and increase the slip resistant properties of the surface.
What is the best sealer to use in a shower?
For shower applications, an impregnating sealer is the preferred choice. In areas exposed to moisture on a daily basis, it is essential to use a breathable sealer that allows vapor transmission while providing effective protection. Suitable options for shower use include Plus, Magic, Block Out 324, and Block Out Max 329.
Enhancing sealers may also be used; however, because they form a film, they present a higher level of risk in constantly wet environments. If not properly maintained, moisture can penetrate beneath the film, resulting in a cloudy or hazy appearance. If an enhancing sealer is desired in a shower setting, a deep-penetrating solvent-based formula, such as Teratone 467, will typically provide superior performance compared to water-based alternatives. Its solvent composition allows for deeper absorption into the material, helping to maintain the enhanced look while minimizing the risk of moisture entrapment beneath the surface.
What is the best sealer to use in a kitchen?
Kitchens present unique challenges for sealers, as surfaces are routinely exposed to water, oils, food residue, and acidic substances such as wine and citrus. Choosing the right sealer helps protect against stains, preserve the appearance of the material, and extend its lifespan.
For countertops, an impregnating sealer that repels both water and oils—such as PLUS or Block Out Max 329 is ideal. These products penetrate deeply to provide lasting protection without altering the natural look or texture of the surface.
For backsplashes, an impregnating sealer works well if you want to maintain a natural appearance, while an enhancing sealer is a great option for enriching color and depth. Both types can withstand the daily challenges of cooking environments and are easy to maintain.
For floors, most sealer types will perform effectively. However, if you are especially concerned about frequent spills or heavy use, a film forming sealer like Sealer 444, Teratone 467, or Ultimate 466 will offer the most robust protection and durability. The choice there comes down to the desired level of color enhancement and sheen.
What is the best way to clean my natural stone surface?
For regular maintenance on all types of natural stone surfaces, the safest and most effective way to clean natural stone is with a neutral pH cleaner. Many household and store-bought cleaners contain harsh chemicals or acidic ingredients that can damage, etch, or dull the appearance of natural stone surfaces. Neutral pH cleaners are free of abrasives, ensuring that polished and coated finishes maintain their original luster. Catalina Chemical’s Neutral Cleaner Concentrate is a professional-grade solution formulated specifically for natural stone. It provides a gentle yet thorough clean, making it ideal for routine upkeep on countertops, floors, pool decks, showers, and other stone surfaces.
For a natural stone pool deck, the right approach depends on the type of buildup or contamination.
For discoloration caused by pollen, leaf droppings, bird droppings, and other organic matter: our 17% hydrogen peroxide works effectively to dissolve stains without harming the stone.
For stubborn algae and mold growth: a 5% pool chlorine solution can be used to effectively eliminate biological contaminants without causing damage or discoloration to natural stone pool decks.
How do I maintain a polished surface?
The best way to maintain a polished surface is to clean regularly with a neutral pH cleaner. For best practices, reference our Polished Surface Maintenance Guide.
