27

Feb

How To Polish Granite Countertops

Granite is one of the toughest materials in the market. Unfortunately, with time, it succumbs to scratches and etching. Dull spots also start showing giving the countertops an ugly appeal.

When this happens, you don’t have to replace the granite countertops. Work with granite experts and polish the countertops and restore the factory shine.

For you to do it effectively you should religiously follow a set of steps that include:

Clean the countertops

You can’t polish the countertops while they are still dirty, so you should start with cleaning them. Mix warm water and mild soap and use it to get rid of any spills and stains. Take caution not to use harsh chemicals on the countertops. Avoid products containing ammonia, bleach, lime, vinegar, lemon, and glass cleaners.

Get the granite polish

You can get the polish in two ways: you can make your own or buy already made polish from your local home improvement and kitchen stores. When purchasing the polish, avoid general-purpose polishing products as they have been proven to damage the countertops.

When it comes to making your polish, there are plenty of recipes you can follow. Regardless of the one you follow, ensure that the polish you make isn’t too acidic.

To make your granite polish, begin with three cups of warm water then add ¼ cup of baking soda.

Apply the solution

If your countertops are dull due to superficial scratches and light etching, you can restore the original countertop shine using granite polishing powder.

Make a paste by mixing the polishing powder with water then apply the polishing solution using a soft cloth. If using retail granite polish, spray it lightly on the countertops and let it sit for 2-3 minutes.

You should then buff the countertops with the polish using small, circular motions. Use a very soft cloth to do it as a more abrasive material will scratch the granite.

Once you are done, wipe off the polish with a damp cloth to get a streak-free finish. It’s normal to have excess water on the countertops after wiping the countertops down. If this happens, use another cloth to dry it off.

In most cases, your granite will polish nicely even when you do it by yourself, but if the countertop is profoundly scratched or damaged, the home remedies might not work. In such a case, contact a home restoration professional to professionally polish the countertops so that they look as good as new.

Professionals use wet or dry polishing techniques together with specialty tools. These tools cause irreversible damage, so you should only ensure professionals use them.

Tips on how to preserve your granite countertops

To reduce the frequency you polish the countertops, you should observe a set of tips that include:

  • Clean the spills immediately to prevent marks and stains from coming about. If you leave liquids on the surface for a long time, they cause dark, shadowy marks that give the countertops a cheap, ugly look.
  • Buff the countertops with cooking oil. This will make the countertops shiny and stain-resistant. Apply some cooking oil to the cloth and wipe it across the granite countertop surfaces. When doing it, apply gentle pressure. This will give the granite a nice shine, which also reduces the chances of stains coming about.
  • Although it’s tough and durable, granite is easily damaged when you cut directly on it. To protect it, always use a cutting board. You also shouldn’t leave any sharp objects lying around.
  • Place hot pans, pots, hair straighteners, and curling irons on an insulated mat. This is to protect the surfaces from getting burnt. It also prevents micro-scratches from coming about. According to granite installers Rockville, using an insulated mat also prevents the sealant from eroding quickly.
  • To prevent chemical damage, avoid keeping any cosmetics on the countertops. This is because most of the cosmetic products contain chemicals that can tarnish the countertops and break the sealer. Just like with hot products, place the cosmetics on a mat or tray. You can also lock them in a cabinet.
  • Keep the countertops sealed to protect the stone from everyday use. For peace of mind, do a bead test once in a while to confirm that the sealer is working optimally. Pour a few water drops on the countertops. If beads form, it shows that the seal is working properly. On the other hand, if the water drops get absorbed by the countertops, you should re-seal the countertops.
14

Feb

Quartz Countertops Installation Problems And How To Counter Them

Adding quartz countertops to your kitchen is an excellent way of brightening up your surfaces. The countertops are also tough, so when you install them, you are confident you have a surface that can withstand heavy use.

Are you looking to install the countertops in your home? You should know that plenty of problems can come about during installation. The most common ones being:

Visible seams

Imagine this. You get into a house after the countertop installer has given the green light. The countertop color is perfect as it complements the floor and cabinets, but on a closer look, you notice a long and obvious seam where the counter pieces join together.

Your heart sinks as this isn’t what you wanted. When you began the project, you wanted your new countertops to be visually unmarred, but this isn’t the case. There are large unsightly seams. Your project isn’t a success.

Your countertops will have an unsightly seam when they are poorly installed. Discuss with your installer and agree on how you are going to go about it. They might have to remove the countertops then install them anew, or they can seal the seams, so they are invisible.

Countertop cracks

In most cases, the countertops will crack when there are problems with the cabinets, such as the cabinets not being of the same height.

If this happens during installation, the installation professional should fix it as part of their job, but if the cracks come about after installation, you should get in touch with your contractor and ask them to diagnose the problem and fix it.

Scratches, dents, and other problems due to poor workmanship

When you decide to update your kitchen, you want the project to be perfect, but it’s not always the case. Scratches and dents are a common sign of poor workmanship, and they happen when you hire a cheap, inexperienced contractor.

Accidents are common during installation, but you shouldn’t accept shoddy workmanship.  If the dent or scratch is due to installer’s fault, ask them to fix it immediately.

How can you prevent the problems from coming about?

Luckily, there are several things you can do to prevent the above issues from coming about and leading to loss of money. Some of the things you can do include:

Hire an expert

Many homeowners try to cut costs by hiring the cheapest contractor they find. Quality and low prices don’t go together, so you can’t expect exceptional workmanship from a cheap contractor.

To reduce the chances of countertop problems coming about, hire an experienced professional. While they will come at a premium price, they are worth it as they will expertly install the countertops.

When choosing a contractor, keep your eyes out for scammers that might try to rip you off. If the contractor charges you a price that is way off the standard rates, they are most likely ripping you off, and you should stay away from them.

Protect your cabinets

Contractors join countertops with cabinets using adhesives. Sometimes the adhesive can get on the face of the cabinets giving them an ugly look. To avoid this, protect the cabinets before you start the installation.

Protect the cabinets by applying a strip of painter’s tape to the face of cabinets. This ensures that no dripping adhesive makes contact with the cabinets.

Use supports where necessary

Quartz counters are heavy; thus, not all cabinets can hold them. The surfaces might also have unsupported areas such as desks and overhangs that might require additional support.

If your cabinets aren’t strong enough, place backer boards or plywood under them. If there are unsupported areas greater than 12-inches, use a steel plate, corbels, or any other material to provide support and prevent sagging or even cracking of the surfaces.

Have everything else ready

Before you ask the quartz countertop installer Rockville to begin the installation, ensure everything else is in place. The electrical and plumbing should be roughed, the walls should already be painted and dry, the cabinets should be installed, the flooring should be finished, and the appliances should at least be at hand if not already in place.

This significantly reduces the chances of problems coming about as no other contractor will touch the countertops after installing them.

06

Feb

8 Types Of Granite Countertops

When homeowners visit countertop stores, they want granite countertops. Did you know there are many types of these countertops in the market? The most common ones are:

Tiled granite

Often cheaper than other countertops in the market, tiled granite is made by placing tiles edge to edge then securing them with epoxy.

Although, it’s more affordable, tiled granite isn’t popular with most homeowners. This is because it’s high maintenance. Also, many homeowners don’t like its look so most homeowners opt for other types that are more grandiose.

Slab granite

These are the go-to countertops. When homeowners say they have installed granite in their homes, these are usually what they install.

They are made of a solid piece of granite fabricated off-site then customized to fit the dimensions of the surfaces you are looking to install —whether kitchen or bathroom.

Due to their design, the countertops are expensive. Fortunately, they are elegant to look at.

Since they are heavy and difficult to install, you should only have them installed by a professional. The professional will also ensure they don’t break or crack. After all, you wouldn’t want your countertops you have spent a huge chunk of your cash to get damaged, would you?

Modular granite

These are pre-cut mini slabs that are often already fabricated into standard sizes and shapes to fit most standard kitchens and bathrooms.

If your surfaces don’t meet the standard sizes, you can still install the countertops, but you should be ready to deal with large seams that may be ugly to look at.

Since they are light and easy to install, they are loved by many DIY enthusiasts.

Black

Many homeowners shy away from black granite as it doesn’t show the veining like the lighter slabs. While the veins aren’t as visible as when you have white countertops, black comes with plenty of benefits. One of the benefits is that it sparkles more than the other types.

If considering installing the black color in your home, pair it with white cabinets for a modern classic look.

White granite

This is the go-to color for most homeowners, especially those looking for an elegant look. Some inexperienced homeowners avoid it as they have the impression that it will be plain and featureless.

Since granite is obtained from a natural stone, it doesn’t come in only one color. It has plenty of other minor colors in it that give it more character and make it more interesting.

For a great look, pair it with wooden cabinetry or with white or black cabinets.

Beige granite

Although, it almost resembles white granite, beige is more welcoming to homeowners. This is because it has more colors that give it more character. The countertop tends to have spots of black, gray, and black mixed in.

Due to its color, you can use it in a wide range of applications including traditional, country, and even in classic homes.

Brown granite

A tad darker than beige, brown granite looks excellent when paired with light wooden cabinets. Although, you can use it in different applications, it looks excellent in rustic and country style kitchens where it makes the house feel homey and warm.

Since it doesn’t contrast too strongly, it highlights the woodwork in the room which gives any house an inviting look.

Jewel-toned granite

You won’t find this granite in most homes but it’s excellent when used as a focal point in a toned-down kitchen. Green or red based granite looks excellent in an Asian style kitchen. For an elegant look, go for cabinets that aren’t too bright as they will clash with the countertops.

The secret to finding the right granite

With so many options to choose from, it can be confusing to tell the right one for your home. When making the purchase, you should note the countertops might look perfect in the countertop store but otherwise in your home.

To avoid shelling out a lot of cash for slabs you won’t be proud of, before you place a huge order, granite installers Rockville recommend you first go with a few pieces to your home and see how they blend with your floor, cabinets, appliances, and other parts of the house.