When we discuss sealing a surface we generally signify an impenetrable barrier is painted on or applied for some reason. For instance tiled floors tend to be made to give them added security and make them shine. Visit Our Site contains further about the purpose of it. To do this some layers of emulsion shine are applied to the top and allowed to dry. … There would seem based my own experience that there is plenty of confusion amongst the public and some contractors about what sealing natural stone actually means. We generally mean that an impenetrable barrier is painted on or used in some manner when we talk about securing a surface. Like tiled floors tend to be made to make them shine and give them additional security. To do that a number of applications of emulsion shine are applied to the top and allowed to dry. This gives it protection and seals the-floor. Other surfaces such as wood tend to be made with a coating of a polyurethane solution. This adds strength-to the surface and protects it. A great many other usually porous surfaces can be covered with a layer that sits on top acting as a obstacle to penetrative agencies and provides security also. The sealing of natural stone such as granite, marble, limestone and slate is very different. Natural stone consists of deposits that interlock together. The actual nutrients which are present as crystals in the rock give it its colour and striations. Nevertheless there are spaces between the smaller and the crystal these spaces are and the more the deposits have been squeezed together the less porous the rock is. Therefore these spaces may determine the porosity of the stone. A variety of pore size and nutrient content of the stone will also determine its longevity its hardness and hence. These spots in-the stone are air filled once the stone is dry and water once the stone is wet filled. Bacteria occupy these places and these are often vital for the preservation of the stone. Hardly any research has been carried out in to these bacteria but what has been done would suggest they are crucial in maintaining the integrity of-the rock. Therefore we’ve the image of rock as a serious complex mixture of nutrients, bacteria and areas. You should imagine the rock to be some thing similar to an extremely difficult sponge! If you drop a liquid onto the stone it’ll be absorbed and spread through the spaces. This is why what initially appeared as if a tiny spillage may end up being a significant large stain in the rock. To eliminate the stain it has to be flushed from these areas. All a rock sealer does it refill these rooms. Many of the rock sealants used derive from fatty acids in place of synthetic sealants. These normal sealants are better simply because they do not destroy the bacteria but usually enhance them. Artificial sealants can destroy these bacteria that’s longer-term effects to the rocks makeup. Sealants based on fat nevertheless possess a shorter lifespan and has to be replaced periodically. What-ever sealant is used it just fills up the spaces between the crystals it doesn’t cover the surface of the rock. Their purpose is merely to delay the penetration of liquids into the rock. So if corrosive materials get onto the rock then it will be broken. Stone sealants do not form a protective seal on the floor of the rock. Consequently stone is protected from absorbing beverages. It is perhaps not protected from surface damage..Cold Stone Creamery 315 S. MacArthur Blvd. Oklahoma City OK 73128 (405) 782-0738