Granite floors - can you seal them ?

[peterb17]

Dear Experts

 

My dear landlord is keen on marble and granite- I do not have a single floor not covered with marble or granite. Most of it is fine - and cleans up well.

 

My house is interesting- it is built around a central courtyard- open to the skies - all rooms downstairs lead off the courtyard. Rain falls into a central pond / fountain - usually it's ok - but in a big storm the courtyard can get very wet.

 

The floor in the courtyard has been replaced with grey speckled granite- it seems to be quite porous and after a recent big storm it still shows water stains- not drying out.

 

Should this floor be sealed in some way ( once it has dried out) I think the granite guy who put the floor down has had his money and is now not very interested.

 

I'm not even sure if any products are even available ?

 

Any help appreciated.

[kamalabob2]

Check out the HG line of products sold at many Homepro Stores. I've bought HG to seal granite counter tops. 

[eyecatcher]

In an external situation its not normally necessary unless you are bothered by stains.

 

Those HG products they sell are very expensive for a half litre and i think more geared towards sealing a kitchen worktop or bathroom travertines and the like.

 

For a large external area you are probably best spraying with a water repellent or silicone sealer which will hold "some" of the water until it evaporates.

 

Also some brush on applications.

Go to a global you will literally spend an hour just looking at all the sealing products by Lanko,sika,crocodile,sista and much better priced

[peterb17]

Thanks - I will have a look- yes the HG stuff is expensive- think we should have had some ceramic tiles- better idea

[kamalabob2]

I did not seal the granite floor in my home. I did buy and use HG products  at Homepro for the Granite counters in a couple of kitchens and all the bathroom granite counters. I believe the Thai granite I had installed on the entire ground floor helps to keep the home cool.  I did install ceramic tactile tile in the bathroom floors.  Long after you forget the price of granite floors you will be enjoying the advantages of granite. 

[bankruatsteve]

Wouldn't the water "stains" from granite in outdoor setting be from water coming in from the unfinished bottom surface?  We never have problem with stains on granite counter top and which will have standing water for periods of time around the sink.

[eyecatcher]

On 6/27/2017 at 3:27 PM, bankruatsteve said:

Wouldn't the water "stains" from granite in outdoor setting be from water coming in from the unfinished bottom surface?  We never have problem with stains on granite counter top and which will have standing water for periods of time around the sink.

Thats very plausible Steve, but did you see Thais lay tiles....on a 3 inch strong mortar bed hahaha.

 

I first assumed the OP was getting stains from the rain and as the sun evapourates the waters it tends to leave a salts stain where the puddles were.

 

in your suggestion that could also happen I suppose.

[eyecatcher]

On 6/27/2017 at 3:27 PM, bankruatsteve said:

 We never have problem with stains on granite counter top and which will have standing water for periods of time around the sink.

Dont ever tempt fate though and let a bag of frozen liver defrost over night on it...you will wish you had left it in the sink or on a dish. (been there...done that)

 

you should really seal your granite tops every couple of years to be safe.

 

the test is to place a globule of water (half a teaspoonfull) on your granite and leave it for 5 minutes.

if its disappeared you should seal it, if still there its good!

[peterb17]

I did not seal the granite floor in my home. I did buy and use HG products  at Homepro for the Granite counters in a couple of kitchens and all the bathroom granite counters. I believe the Thai granite I had installed on the entire ground floor helps to keep the home cool.  I did install ceramic tactile tile in the bathroom floors.  Long after you forget the price of granite floors you will be enjoying the advantages of granite. 

Thanks- trouble is a drop of water turns the grey granite black- it just soaks in- dries out in a few hours.
It's OK if we don't get heavy rain- but if it really rains the central courtyard is running with water- not exactly the best house design- but I do like the sunshine/ fresh air and the fountain is nice . Yes the floors are cool- there is not a square inch that is not marble or granite- bathrooms, showers, etc etc

[bankruatsteve]

2 minutes ago, peterb17 said:

 

Thanks- trouble is a drop of water turns the grey granite black- it just soaks in- dries out in a few hours.
It's OK if we don't get heavy rain- but if it really rains the central courtyard is running with water- not exactly the best house design- but I do like the sunshine/ fresh air and the fountain is nice . Yes the floors are cool- there is not a square inch that is not marble or granite- bathrooms, showers, etc etc

 

That should not happen with granite bought from a quality vendor.  Are you sure it's granite?