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.

16

Jun

Can You Stand On Quartz Countertops?

Some people term quartz as indestructible as they have impressive compression and tension strength—even better than granite. Due to this, many are tempted to sit or even stand on the countertops.

Can you stand on quartz countertops? While standing on the countertops might seem harmless, it’s not. Plenty of cases have been reported where people stand on the countertops, and they part at the seam where two slabs are sealed together.

Installing or even repairing the countertops isn’t cheap, so you should avoid risking standing on them. In addition to damaging the countertops when you stand on them, you also risk voiding the warranty.

Better options to standing on the countertops

To avoid the risk of standing the countertops, you should try out other ways of going about it. Some of the other things you can do include:

Get a step stool: If you are stepping on the countertops due to lack of a stepping stool, you should get one. Get a small stool and tuck it somewhere in your kitchen such as between the refrigerator and counter. Always keep it in the kitchen, so when you need to reach out for something, you simply grab it and hop on the counter.

Get a ladder: Need more height? Consider getting a ladder from your local store. The ladder will cost you more than the step stool, but still, it will be cheaper than replacing the countertops.

Other things you shouldn’t do to quartz

Other than avoiding standing on the countertops, other things you shouldn’t do to the countertops include:

Don’t ignore spills: When cooking, it’s common for spills to happen. Whether its wine, tea, juice, vinegar, or soda spills, you should get rid of them as soon as you can. This is because the liquids are acidic and corrosive and will damage your countertops if you let them sit there for a long time.

While quartz is tough, the spills will destroy it if you let them sit on the surfaces for a long time. As mentioned above, wipe them with a wet dishcloth as soon as you notice them.

Don’t cut directly on the countertops: Quartz is made from manmade polymers that make it a tough material. While this is the case, you shouldn’t use it as a cutting board as sharp knives can scratch the surface. Whenever you are looking to cut something, get a cutting board, and protect the slab’s smooth shine.

Don’t place heat directly on the counters: Quartz won’t melt or burn when you place a warm plate or pot on it, but you can damage the surfaces. The damage results from the sudden temperature changes that lead to thermal expansion and subsequent cracking of the countertops.

If you have to put anything on the countertops, use a trivet with padded feet. It’s also wise you use pads under the trivet to prevent the trivet feet from scratching the quartz surface.

Don’t use permanent markers near the countertops: It’s common for kids to come to the kitchen and do their school projects there as you are making dinner. As much as you have quality time with them, don’t let them use ink or permanent markers on naked quartz.

This is because the ink adheres to the surface and becomes hard to remove unless you use a harsh chemical that can damage the surfaces. When the kids are on the counters, ensure they aren’t using permanent markers—give them water-based markers instead.

Tips on how to maintain quartz

For you to keep your countertops looking great for a long time, you should take good care of them. Some of the things you can do include:

Clean the countertops daily: Daily cleaning gets rid of dirt and debris. It also helps you catch spills as soon as they happen, so you keep your countertops in top shape all the time. As you are cleaning the countertops, use a soft cloth or sponge. Avoid an abrasive scouring pad as it can scratch the surfaces, and you end up damaging them.

Protect the surfaces from extended, direct sunlight: Extended exposure of quartz kitchen countertops Rockville to direct sunlight can discolor them so you should protect them from the sun by keeping the blinds closed as much as possible.

07

Jun

What Causes Granite Countertops to Crack?

Granite countertops are tough, and the last thing you expect is the countertop developing cracks. Unfortunately, the countertops develop cracks. Some of the cracks are a natural part of the stone, while others are caused by use or wear and tear.

When you notice cracks on the countertops, you must be wondering, what causes granite to crack? The cracks are brought about by many things that include:

Natural fissures

As mentioned above, cracks can be natural. Granite is known to have natural fissure cracks that can turn into actual cracks. Natural fissures give the countertops character, and they are nothing to worry about.

If you hired an experienced professional, he might have already noticed them and ensured they aren’t in sensitive areas such as the seams, cut out, and cooktop.

Hard hit

The countertops will also crack if you hit them with a hard or heavy object.

Carrying it flat

While the countertop is made from natural rock, you shouldn’t carry it flat. Carrying it flat can cause injury to anyone carrying it. It can also cause damage to the floor or furniture. In some cases, it causes hairline cracks that can be problematic later on.

Placing a lot of weight on the countertop

In most cases, granite installers will leave a 12-inch overhang on the countertop bars and islands where you can sit and entertain. These areas are usually protected with ibraces or corbels.

These allow extra weight when appropriately installed, but when you place a lot of weight on the countertops, you put the countertops at the risk of cracking. In certain cases, the entire slab breaks and falls onto someone.

Failing to shim the countertops properly

Granite installers shim areas that aren’t touching cabinets. Unfortunately, floors, walls, and homes aren’t perfectly level. During installation, this can bring about plenty of problems, including cracks.

To ensure the areas don’t develop cracks due to weight issues, ensure that you look eye-level with your countertops so you can see the countertops underneath and notice any areas that aren’t touching the cabinet.

The area should have a shim over one foot and silicone to hold the shims.

Cracks due to natural calamity

If you live in an area prone to tornadoes, floods, and hurricanes, your countertops are bound to crack. Hurricanes and tornadoes can pick debris, creating projectiles or missiles that can smash the countertops.

In most cases, the countertops won’t be damaged by a single impact, but the repeated impact will wear away at the countertops, finally leading to cracks.

Hot pots

Although, granite is naturally heat resistant, having been formed through heat, constant exposure to heat over extended periods can weaken the stone leading to cracks. The damage is extensive, especially if the stone is cold at the time of heat exposure, and the difference in temperatures is large.

How to repair a crack in granite

Depending on the size of the crack, you can repair it. There are plenty of ways you can repair it. Some of these ways include:

Using acrylic or epoxy: You can use acrylic or epoxy to glue the pieces together. Your choice material will be influenced by the nature and severity of the crack. You can do the filling by yourself or hire an expert to help you out.

Polishing the cracks: If the cracks are large, you can make them less conspicuous by polishing them. Polishing the countertops requires skill, so you should avoid doing the work by yourself.

When hiring a granite contractor Potomac, ensure he is certified and has been in the industry for a long time. You don’t want someone that will do a mediocre job, do you?

Do nothing: Did you know doing nothing can be a viable way of fixing cracks in the countertops? If the crack are short and hairlike, they present no real problems, so you have nothing to worry about.

Small cracks don’t pose any cleaning issues, and stains aren’t a problem. If you have tried ignoring the cracks without success, consider applying a little extra sealer over the crack, and it will prevent the cracks from being too conspicuous.