30

Jun

Common Types Of Granite Countertops Damage

Like any other countertop material, granite countertops suffer different forms of damage. Some are simple, and you can easily fix them on your own while others are complex, and you have to ask a professional to take a look at them. In some cases the damage is so extensive you have to replace the entire countertop slab.

Some of the damage your countertops can have include:

Separating seam joints

This happens when the adhesive is falling apart. If the seams are coming apart several years after installation, it could be due to old age, but if you recently installed the countertops and they are coming apart, it might be due to improper installation.

Seams come apart if they are too large, the contractor used the wrong epoxy, or the contractor didn’t put enough work into them.

To fix the problem, you need to contact a reputable professional and ask them to inspect the countertops and find out what they can do to fix the problem.

Chips along the countertop edges

Countertops will develop chips along the edges, especially where most of the cooking happens. The chips come about due to constant contact of the cooking utensils with the countertops.

To fix this issue, ask a professional store technician to inspect the chipped surfaces carefully. The contractor should then prepare the area and apply a color matching epoxy material. An experienced professional won’t have a problem fixing the area and hiding the etched surfaces.

Dullness around the sink

It’s normal for countertops to dull around the sink area due to the activities that take place there. Since the surfaces are in constant contact with water and exposed to cutting activities, granite tends to dull and even wear and tear out fast.

Luckily, you can restore the dullness with a diamond refinishing system. Ask a professional technician to help you out, and you will restore your countertops to as good as new.

Cracks

Cracks completely spoil the aesthetic appeal of the house. Luckily, if the cracks are small, you can fix them, but if they are large, you have no way out other than to replace the entire countertop slab.

Cracks on the countertops come about due to plenty of reasons that include:

  • Poorly glued joints
  • Installation of the countertops on uneven surfaces
  • Failing to give glue enough time to settle
  • Putting a lot of weight at the center of the countertop

If the cracks are small, you can easily fix them with adhesives; however, if they are deeper, you may have to remove the damaged portion, then replace it with a better one. Countertop installers sometimes use special fillers when they feel the cracks aren’t too large to warrant replacement.

When choosing filler, choose one that sticks effectively to your countertops.

Staining

You will have your countertops staining around stoves and cooktops. If you haven’t sealed your counters, the surfaces will absorb oil-based stains and darken. To restore your countertops to their former glory, you need to use Poultice.

Apply the material on the stained area and cover it with a plastic seal. Over time, the solution will dry and turn to powder that will absorb the oil stain. If you find the stain isn’t going away, you can reapply Poultice as many times as you want until all the stains are gone.

Water damage

They say water is life, but did you know it can be deadly to your countertops? The effect is worse if you have a small kitchen. If you haven’t sealed your countertops, water will get to the inner layers and stain your surfaces

Luckily, in most cases, the stain goes away when water evaporates. If water was stained (such as in juice), you have to ask a professional technician to help you out.

High-temperature effect

Granite counters are known for their toughness and ability to withstand high temperatures; however, when you introduce extremely high temperatures at once, the counters are bound to get damaged.

For example, when you carelessly place a hot pan (straight from a flame), directly on the surfaces, you will damage the countertops. Granite companies Potomac recommend you try salvaging the ugly spots using toothpaste. If this doesn’t remove the spots, replace the countertops.

15

May

How Far Can Granite Countertops Span Without Support?

When you are installing granite countertops, it’s common to wonder, how far can granite span without support? This depends on the thickness of the granite slab that you have. If your slab is 10” thick, you can get away with an overhang that is 1-1/4”.

The thicker the slab, the longer the overhang you can have without worrying about the countertop being unbalanced.

In addition to adding the supports at the right places, there are plenty of other tips you need to consider:

Rod the countertops

Rodding aims at reinforcing the countertops to prevent cracking and breaking of the countertops in areas where the stone could be more susceptible to pressure. One of the most effective ways of reinforcing the countertops is by using fiber rodding.

If you don’t know how to do it, there are plenty of guides online that you can follow. You can do the reinforcement by yourself or hire an expert to help you out.

Work at hiding the granite seams

When you bring two slabs together, you are bound to have seams. The big issue is, how can you make the seams less noticeable? Luckily, there are plenty of tricks you can use:

One of the ways is ensuring that the edges of the stone are clean. When they are clean, you are more than likely to have a cleaner seam. As you are bonding two slabs, pull the stones together. This way, you narrow the gap between the stone edges, making the seams less noticeable.

Another highly effective technique is dressing the edges, so they are as straight as possible. When choosing the adhesive color, go for one that closely matches that of the stone.

One of the highly effective ways of hiding the seam is putting it on a 45° edge. When you combine the edge lamination with clean edges, color-matched adhesive, and tight seams, you are bound to have excellent results.

Invest in high-quality slabs

Granite is a natural stone that varies greatly in color, veining, and patterns. It also comes in a variety of grades that include: commercial, builder, standard, and premium. For you to get the most from the stone you are installing, you should invest in a high-quality stone.

When you are shopping, be on the lookout for a stone selling at meager prices as it’s most likely of cheap quality. For you to buy a high-quality stone, only shop at reputable stores with a proven record.

Work with a reputable granite company.

Unless you are an expert, you should refrain from installing the countertops by yourself. Instead, hire an expert countertop company to help you out. One of the prime mistakes homeowners make is being in a hurry when hiring the contractors. Don’t do this.

Take your time to visit as many contractors as possible. As you are interviewing them, ask them for their past work. You also should visit review sites and see what other customers have to say about their experience with the countertop installation company.

For excellent results, ensure that the company is using the latest and properly maintained equipment. This ensures that the cuts are clean and accurate. This way, you are sure that the contractor will get the work done fast and accurately.

Consider granite remnants

If you are looking to install the countertops on a small countertop and you don’t have a large budget, you shouldn’t stress yourself over it. Instead, get granite remnants from friends and family. You also can ask a granite company whether it has any granite leftovers that you can use.

Most of the companies will sell you the remnants at meager prices. If you have a good relationship, the company can even give them to you.

Take good care of the countertops.

Installing the countertops isn’t enough—you have to take good care of them. In addition to protecting the countertops from the heat by placing pans and trivets when cooking, granite installers Rockville recommends that you also regularly seal the countertops so that spills don’t stain the countertops.

Also, regularly clean the countertops. When doing it, take care not to use abrasive materials that can etch the surfaces.

09

May

Can You Put Hot Pans On Granite Countertops?

If you know the history of granite countertops, you know that they are made from igneous rock through a process involving high temperatures and pressure. Due to this, you must be asking, can you put hot pans on granite?

Since it’s made from igneous rock, granite can withstand the heat, so a brief encounter with a hot pot won’t hurt them. While this is the case, regular exposure of the countertops to the heat will weaken the sealant putting the countertops at the risk of getting damaged.

To answer your question, yes, you can put hot pans on granite, but you shouldn’t do it too often as you will end up causing damage.

Protecting the countertops from damage

As we have seen, the countertops will get damaged if you place hot pans on them. So to protect them from damage, avoid placing the hot pots and pans directly on the surfaces. Instead, have a trivet or countertop cover in place.

If you have to place the pots and pans on the countertops, let them first cool down. Letting them cool for a few minutes is enough. Before placing them on the surfaces, wipe the underside to remove any black or burn marks that might be present.

Even if you are using an electric stove, wipe the surfaces to remove any materials that might have spilled or boiled over.

Restoring damaged countertops

In the event you destroy the countertops, you shouldn’t worry much as you can restore the damaged pieces. You do this using pastes and liquids. Buy the products from a local store and apply them by yourself—you don’t need to hire a professional to help you out.

If there are burn marks from the hot pans, you can easily rub them away with cleaning creams and solutions. You should note that while the products will remove the top marks, they aren’t effective at removing deeper marks.

In such a case, you don’t have a way out other than to consult a granite contractor. The contractor will advise you whether to apply a sealer or simply replace the countertops.

Other ways of keeping your countertops in top shape

Other than using trivets and pads when placing hot items on the countertops, there are plenty of other things you can do to keep the countertops in top shape. Some of these things include:

Don’t cut meat directly on the countertops.

The meat won’t destroy granite, but what is left behind is what is harmful. The meat might be containing salmonella and other bacteria that might find its way into the microscopic crevices of the countertops.

Also, when many homeowners handle meat, they have the urge to cleanse the countertop surfaces. Sometimes they use harsh chemicals that end up damaging the surfaces.

Get rid of the spills as soon as they happen.

When you are preparing food, it’s common for accidents to happen. Oils and acids can splatter all over the countertops, putting them at the risk of staining. To avoid this, you should clean the spills as soon as they happen.

When you notice spillage, use a mild cleanser or hot, soapy water and get rid of it as soon as possible. You should never let the spill sit on the countertops for long as it can etch the seal and stain the countertop.

Don’t sit or stand on the countertops.

Since the countertops are known to be tough, some homeowners have the impression that they can stand or sit on the countertops without any repercussions. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case.

Granite has plenty of fissures and striations that are vulnerable to cracking when you apply a lot of force on them. To keep your countertops free of damage, don’t climb or stand on them when reaching out to things, changing bulbs, painting, or engaging in any other activity.

Instead, use a sturdy stool or ladder to get the work done.

Conclusion

To reiterate, you can place hot pans on granite, but don’t make it a habit as you will damage the seal or even the countertops themselves. Granite installers Rockville recommend you always use trivets, hot pads, potholders, and other protective materials to keep the countertops in top shape.

06

Jan

7 Things To Consider When Buying Granite Countertops

Granite countertops are elegant to look at and extremely easy to maintain. Unfortunately, you can’t buy any slab you come across. You need to take your time and find the right one. What should you consider when buying the countertops?

Your taste

Everything begins here. You want a slab that you will be proud of when you get in the house. The slab you go for depends on what you like and how you live. Before you buy the granite, ask yourself these questions:

  • Do you want straight lines or right angles?
  • Are you looking to install a top-mount, under-mount, or drop-in sink?
  • Do you prefer countertops with details on them?
  • Are you into light or dark colors?
  • Do you want the countertop to be stable or moving?
  • What type of vein style do you like?

Your preferences and the look you want to create will come in handy at helping you choose the right material from the thousands that will be thrown at you by the fabricator.

Size of your kitchen

Do you have a large or small kitchen? The size of the kitchen will help you determine the right granite slab and its pattern. If you have a small kitchen, go for light-colored granite such as Giallo ornamental. The countertop will make the kitchen look larger and more appealing.

If you like dark colors, go with dark granites with light veins. They will also give your kitchen a large look.

Do you have a large kitchen? Experiment with dark colors. You also should try out different patterns depending on the size of the kitchen.

Three of the best patterns are: marbled, solid, and speckled.

Amount of lighting

The lighting in the house will also greatly determine the type of countertops that you will install in your home. If your kitchen doesn’t have any natural light, go with gold or white countertops.

Does your kitchen have substantial light? Darker colors such as black, mahogany, and deep blue will give the kitchen the look you want.

You should note that you can add more light to the kitchen by installing more lights. So, before you head to the stores to make a purchase, consider the chances of adding more lights to the kitchen to improve its look.

Color

You can’t buy a countertop of any color—it has to match the cabinets, floor, and other parts of the kitchen. You can carry a sample to your home or bring the cabinet door with you into the showroom so that you can see how it will look with your cabinets in place.

The color of the cabinets depends on the look you want and the lighting in your home.

Countertop edges

In addition to the look they give to your kitchen, the countertop edges also affect how people interact with surfaces. If you have small children, you want round corners other than sharp edges that will hurt the little ones.

Type of sink

The sink you install in your kitchen or bathroom needs to be stylish and functional. The type of countertops you are looking to install depends on the type of sink you are interested in.

For you to buy the right design, size, and color of granite, work with your contractor, who will guide you.

Finish

How would you like the countertops to look like once you have installed them? Are you looking for a honed, polish, or leather look?

The honed finish is also known as matte finish, and when appropriately done, it leaves the surfaces smooth and feeling like satin. You need to reseal the countertops regularly. This finish is ideal when installing the countertops in a casual, low traffic area.

The polish finish is meant to hide smudges and fingerprints. When done right, the polish reveals the true character and color of the countertops.

Finally, there is a leather finish. It’s much more effective at hiding smudges and imperfections than any other material. The finish looks much better in dark granite. For you to maintain a great look, countertop contractors Potomac recommend you clean the surfaces daily with a microfiber cloth and cleaner.