How to make granite slab shower wall more waterproof?

[MichelleH]

Thank you Lou and Huligar for your replies.

Lou, I'm in Sacramento, California.

Huligar, you said 'from the list provided', and I now wonder if there's something else that you feel is more appropriate for the shower walls?

Also, should I put the same thing on the countertop? (I'm thinking yes, if only to make sure that they stay color-matched to each other).

MichelleH, before I can answer your question, can you please tell me how do you plan on maintaining your natural stone?

[MichelleH]

Hi Huligar,

Ideally, and I'm just being honest here, the less maintenance I would have to do, the better.

The reason I went with granite slab was for less maintenance (no grout lines to clean).

I've been told not to use bar soaps in the shower, but use clear (see-thru) gel body washes and shampoo.

Unfortunately, I have very long hair which I wash and condition every day (in our guest shower right now), so I am worrying now about all the goopy white conditioner I use (Dove Brand), and whether it will cause problems with the granite over the long haul. Haven't figured out what to do about that problem either, as yet. (Sheesh. Never had these worries with the old fiberglass shower.)

	grout GROUT The material used to fill in the joints between stone tile. Grout can be cement or plastic resins.

Hi Michele,

One squeegee for your stone and one for your glass, use daily.

If you can, press your fabricator the sealant/impregnator they used.

Michael

[jvcstone]

Michelle,

Once you get the stone sealed--and there are a lot of good ones out there--making sure you follow directions. Several applications are better than one on more porous stone. Then your best maintainence tool will be a "squeege" like for glass. Squeege the walls down after every use, and you should have years of maintainence free showers and hair washing.

seal your stone, and enjoy it.
JVC

[MichelleH]

Hi all,

I called the fabricator/installer to ask what had originally been put on the stone. I was told two coats of Stone Tech pro penetrating sealer.

	sealer Impregnation: This is commonly known as sealers. This is the first stage in preserving and maintaining your investment. This stage should occur ever six to eight months. There are three types of impregnation (solvent, water, silicone based), regardless to brand. This will stop most water base stains from occurring. It also will stop the stone from been damage beyond repair.

Stone tech pro is one of the sealers that I use; this sealer is very user friendly. At this point I would recommend that you continue to use the stone pro. I will also recommend using the Revitalizer as part of your maintains plan.
http://www.stonetechpro.com/products/clean/rv/

MichelleH, you have a great start, you will enjoy this stone for years to come.

	sealer Impregnation: This is commonly known as sealers. This is the first stage in preserving and maintaining your investment. This stage should occur ever six to eight months. There are three types of impregnation (solvent, water, silicone based), regardless to brand. This will stop most water base stains from occurring. It also will stop the stone from been damage beyond repair.

[tenaxusa]

Hi Michelle,
we are the manufacturer of the hydrex and protex.
The best selaer for your excotic material is another one called RESINSIL. It is form the same family of the PROTEX and definetly superior to the hydrex and a lot of the competitors.
it was engineered to work on those material that has been reinied at the factory, and the chemical property is such that it will link to the epoxy resin to create a almost perfect protection.

Now remember also that you are going to appy in a shower, when the water effect is on the stone and the sealer will effictevely remove day after day part, part of the stone (and the sealer of course).

you probably saw the effect of running water on "river washed" stone or glass on the beach.

so what i am trying to tell you is that unfortunately, regardless of the sealer you will choose you will probably have to reaseal the shower every 6-12 months.


Email us if you need more info.

	sealer Impregnation: This is commonly known as sealers. This is the first stage in preserving and maintaining your investment. This stage should occur ever six to eight months. There are three types of impregnation (solvent, water, silicone based), regardless to brand. This will stop most water base stains from occurring. It also will stop the stone from been damage beyond repair.

	epoxy EPOXY A two part resin with superior adhesion properties used for joining and filling stone. Also used for grouting stone and tile.

[Lou Noble]

Hi Michelle, you are right in my backyard, im in Anaheim. I have a two products that will make the seal and the maint very easy. let me know if you still need these products id be happy to take care of you.