Granite with a 25 year warranty?

While doing research for a client's upcoming project we discovered that a local company is offering a 25 year warranty on their granite. How is this possible, I wondered? Once we dug a little deeper we realized that their warranty isn't on the granite itself, it's only on the sealer that they use to seal and finish the stone after installation.

All granite should be sealed either after fabrication or after installation. Every piece of granite we install is sealed with a commercial grade sealer after installation, and we recommend that it be sealed once a year afterwards. This may seem like a nuisance, but it is a job that can be completed in a couple of hours, with minimal effort, for pennies on the dollar.

The cost of applying this special "warrantied" sealer this company is offering

can be very high ($300-$500+), and according to my research, it is practically impossible to file a claim on this warranty to receive any compensation for damages. What good is a 25 year warranty when the company won't return your emails or phone calls?

Unfortunately, this seems to be a common problem with the company that produces this sealer.

All natural stone has microscopic holes and fissures that liquids can seep into and create stains. Even water, if left to sit on the stone for long enough, will seep through and darken the stone underneath. Here are some simple instructions on how to test your granite, to determine if sealing is necessary:

Pour a bit of water on the counter. 1/4 cup should be enough.

1. Note the time that you placed the water on the counter and time the water to see how long it takes to absorb (the granite will darken).

2. Now use this chart to determine how often (if at all!) you need to seal your granite countertop:

• Immediate absorption: Apply a couple layers of sealer annually and wipe spills quickly.

• 4-5 minutes: Multiple layers of sealer needed, but only redo every 3-5 years. Use this water test again before reapplying.

• 10 minutes: Apply a single layer of sealer; may be many years before reapplication is needed.

• 30 minutes (or doesn’t absorb): No need for sealer!

Now, I'll let you in on a little secret. You can seal your granite yourself. There are several products available at The Home Depot and Lowe's that are specifically for that job and produce wonderful results, and are as easy as wipe on - wipe off.