NO! It must be sealed for countertop use. Radon gas has been found to penetrate up to six feet of solid rock.
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Granite is not completely impermeable, as it can absorb liquid and stain if not properly sealed. However, its low porosity makes it more resistant to water and staining compared to other natural stones. Regular sealing can help maintain its durability and resistance to liquids.
Permeable rocks: sandstone, limestone, and conglomerate. These rocks have interconnected pores that allow water and other fluids to flow through them. Impermeable rocks: granite, basalt, and shale. These rocks have very few or no pores, making them resistant to the movement of water and fluids.
Granite is a low-porosity rock, with porosity typically ranging from less than 1% to around 1-2%. This low porosity makes granite relatively impermeable to water and other fluids.
Impermeable layers typically include materials such as clay, shale, and waterproof membranes. These layers do not allow the movement of water or other fluids through them, providing barriers to prevent seepage or leakage. Layers that are impermeable are commonly used in construction for purposes such as waterproofing foundations or containment of liquids.
Granite is typically impermeable to water due to its dense and compact structure. To enable water to pass through granite, the rock needs to undergo weathering processes, such as fracturing or chemical breakdown, that create fractures, joints, or pores in the rock that allow water to infiltrate. This can happen through natural weathering over time or through human activities like drilling or blasting.
Permeability is a measure of how well a porous media transmits a fluid. It has nothing to do with the fluid itself. It is measure in (length)2. The Hydraulic Conductivity is a measure of how easily water moves through the porous media. It depends on the permeability of the matrix, but also is a function of the fluid. It is a measure of (length)/(time)