Gbenga asked us an interesting remodeling question:
"Does an exterior sealer on a brownstone have any negative effects on the home?"
Masonry sealer can
be extremely beneficial to extending the life of most man-made and quarried
stone. You didn't specify the application, but "brownstone" is typically
a form of sandstone. Sandstone is a quarried stone that
tends to be particularly porous and can deteriorate over time when
exposed to inclement weather conditions. Sealing any porous stone can
only benefit its lifespan.
The only
negative (or perceived negative) that we have dealt with in a masonry
sealer is it can alter the physical appearance of the stone itself. Much
like the difference between a piece of unfinished wood and varnished
wood, sealer can darken and change the sheen of a particular material so
you need to keep that in mind when choosing a sealer. Check out the image below to see what I mean:
If you have the
option, test the sealer on an inconspicuous area of the stone and let it
dry so that you can judge whether or not you like the finish much the
same way you would with testing a paint color before painting a room.
The difference being you can always re-paint a room, removing sealer
isn't as simple.
I would also offer that before
you apply any sealer, make sure the surface is properly prepared. In an
exterior application I recommend pressure washing the surface to help remove
any residues or staining. In an interior installation, I would suggest a mild soap
& water sponging of the surface followed by a clean water rinse. In
either situation, allow the surface to dry completely before sealing.
Always
choose a quality masonry sealer! There are lots on the market and not
every sealer is right for each application so make sure you do some
research and don't swap quality for cost. A decent sealer should provide
years of protection.
Hope that helped and thanks for Asking A Home Improvement Expert!
