How Stone Sealing Can Help You Avoid Cold Weather Damage on Stone Surfaces During the Harsh Nassau Winter

February 23, 2016

For a lot of people, winter is a beautiful time of the year. In Nassau County, the temperature in the winter months ranges from a freezing 32 degrees to 41 degrees Fahrenheit. While some people take advantage of the weather to go to outdoor ice skating rinks or try cross country skiing, others prefer to stay in the comfort of their homes with a warm beverage, protected from the snow and cold weather. It's safe to say that not everyone loves winter, including homeowner's that are worried about their outdoor surfaces, because it can be tricky to maintain them, especially during winter. Of course, this also depends on the type of surface. Most ceramic and porcelain tiles hold up very well outdoors in the winter. However, natural stone is more delicate because it tends to be more porous and, therefore, more absorbent. This is especially bad news for stone because of the freeze-thaw cycle that occurs during the winter season. This cycle is a chemical process which is detrimental to stone surfaces, causing puddles that can stain them if they aren't properly sealed. Thus, a local Nassau residential stone cleaning and sealing is the best way to protect and prevent natural stone surfaces from absorbing water and getting stained under these conditions.



It's important to know which types of stone are best suited for outdoor spaces. One of the best ways to find out if natural stone can be used outdoors is by checking the absorption rates. Absorption rates are simply a measurement for how porous a material is. If the material has a high absorption rate, then it's more likely to stain and damage the stone in freezing conditions by cracking. This happens because absorbed liquids freeze and expand as the temperature fluctuates. Among natural stones, granite is one of the least porous, thus more resistant to the freeze-thaw cycle and extreme weather changes, while sandstone is the most porous and can stain easily. On the other hand, travertine, limestone and slate are moderately absorbent.

Even though some natural stones are more durable outdoors, it is always recommended that you seal your stone floors to protect them from becoming etched or dull due to slush, salt, and other chemicals that tend to come into contact with outdoor surfaces during winter. When entering the house, snow and dirt may get tracked in on boots, which can cause damage to indoor stone surfaces as well.

Stone sealing is the best bet for protecting outdoor surfaces during winter and avoiding costly staining and etching repairs, and Sir Grout's sealers provide maximum protection. High-quality grout is also an important factor that can help you avoid damage from the cold, as it can resist water absorption and freeze thaw-damage. Sir Grout's ColorSeal gives you the opportunity to recolor your grout while making it stain- and water-resistant, which makes it perfect for winter. Furthermore, some stone surfaces have low levels of friction and can become a slipping hazard during the season due to wet surfaces caused by rain or slush. At Sir Grout, we solve this problem by applying an innovative floor safety technology: Slip Armor. This makes the surface have better traction and helps reduce the risk of dangerous falls.

Don't let winter damage your stone floor! Plan ahead and seal your floors before the winter season starts to make sure your outdoor surfaces are protected. If you live in Nassau County or surrounding areas, don't hesitate to call our local phone number. We will gladly give you a free evaluation. You can also fill out the form below, and don't forget to like our page on Facebook at Sir Grout Nassau New York, and follow us on Instagram @SirGrout and Twitter @SGNassauNY.