31

Mar

Water On Granite Countertops: Can You Leave Water On Granite Countertops?

If you are asking, can you leave water on granite countertops? Yes, you can, but it comes with repercussions.

If your countertops are properly sealed, you can get away with having water on the surfaces for some time, as the countertops won’t absorb water, but when you leave the water on the surfaces for a long time, there is the risk of it getting to the deeper layers of the countertops and staining them.

The situation is worse when you have hard water on your premises as the hard water leaves a white, filmy residue that is hard to remove.

What should you do about water stains?

To restore your countertops, you need to remove the water stains. How you go about it depends on the type of stains you have. To help you out, here are ways to remove these stains:

Removing light stains on a daily basis

You need to use a mild detergent and water on a sponge to remove these stains. If you have the budget, use a commercial cleaning product designed specially for granite cleaning.

When buying the commercial cleaner, ensure that it’s suitable for granite and it’s not acidic, as this can damage the sealant and stone.

Buying the best sealer is one thing and an entire animal using it. To be on the safe side and get perfect results, use the product as per the directions given by the manufacturer.

To have an easy time, clean the stains as soon as you notice them, which means less work on your part.

Light hard water stains

Have you noticed light spots around your sink or basin? These are light hard water stains, and you should move with haste and remove them. For the best outcome, remove them using a mild detergent and brush them with soft bristles. You can also use a toothbrush.

To lift the mineral deposits, put a cleanser on the stain, then gently scrub it with a brush. Once you are done, rinse it off with clean water and dry it with a towel.

You can also use a designated cleaning agent and let it sit on the stain for about 30 minutes to loosen the minerals. After this, scrub the surfaces gently with a soft brush and rinse it dry once the stain is gone.

Slightly stubborn hard water stains.

If the detergent and brush aren’t removing the water stains, use a home remedy such as baking soda. Start with creating a paste by mixing baking soda with a small amount of water until you form a paste. You should then apply the paste to the hard water stain then gently scrub it with a soft bristle brush, then once you are done, rinse the fresh water and dry with a towel.

Removing water rings around the base of your faucet

If you have got hard water running through your system, you will sometimes have water rings around the base. These rings are often hard to remove, so you need to use tough removal products, often plastic scraper or razor blade.

To remove the water ring using a plastic putty knife, ensure that the edge is flat against your granite surface. You should then remove the mineral deposits by pushing the blade against them by applying gentle pressure.

If doing it correctly, the buildup should start flaking off, and you should wipe it off with a sponge, rinse it with clean water, and dry it with a towel.

If you try using the putty knife, but it doesn’t remove the deposits, use a sharp, clean razor blade. Keep the razor blade level with the granite surface, then slowly and gently loosen the mineral deposits.

Of course, take care not to cut your fingers or the granite surface as you are doing the cleaning.

There you have it

You can leave water on your countertops, but it will come with repercussions. To prevent the stains from resulting, move with haste and remove the water as soon as you notice it.

To reduce the absorption rate of the countertops, work with your granite contractor Rockville and install a high-quality sealant on the surface of the stone.

29

Nov

How Much Weight Can You Put On Granite Countertops?

If you are asking, how much weight can you put on granite countertops? You must be thinking about standing or sitting on your countertops and unsure whether your countertops will take the weight, right?

Granite is fairly thick, often at the very least ¾ of an inch. If the weight is evenly distributed over a large area, the countertops can hold up to 1000 pounds.

If you are planning on standing on the countertops either to change the lights or reach to the top shelf, you most likely won’t have your weight evenly distributed, which increases the chances of damaging the countertops, especially if your countertops have a weak point or small fissures.

While granite is tough and can handle a lot of weight, granite technicians highly discourage sitting or standing on them. If you have to stand or sit on the countertops, place sturdy plywood on the counters where you will now stand or sit on.

The plywood will help distribute the weight over a large area reducing the chances of caving in the countertops with your weight. To avoid splinters, wear shoes.

Besides sitting or standing on the countertops, there are plenty of other things you should avoid doing to maintain your countertops in top shape. They include:

Placing kids in the sink

If you have a double sink, it might seem cute having your little one there as you are cleaning the dishes but don’t do it. Sinks are often the countertops’ weakest areas, and having your three or four-year-old there you will be damaging your precious countertops.

If you enjoy cleaning the dishes or preparing your meals with the kids in the kitchen, bring them seats to sit on the kitchen island as you go about your duties.

Allowing a lot of sun in the kitchen

Every homeowner wants a well-lit kitchen, and there is nothing wrong with this, but allowing a lot of direct sunlight in the kitchen can cause your countertops to fade. Sunlight can also fade some of the sealants you used on your countertops, giving your surfaces a cheap look.

To avoid this, pull down the shades during the peak daylight hours.

Preparing food in the same area

Do you prepare food in the same spot all the time? Over time, the area suffers from etches, scratches, and other signs of wear and tear.

It’s normal to have a favorite food preparation area, but don’t be too attached to it.

Now and then, prepare your food in different areas of the counter. Who knows, you might even discover a new favorite area you never knew existed?

Placing hot pots and pans on the countertop

Granite is a natural stone, so it has a tough look but don’t fall for it. Placing a hot pan directly on it will cause cracking and discoloration. In some cases, you destroy the granite slab to the extent you have to replace it.

To keep your surfaces in good condition, make it a habit to use potholders and trivets to serve as barriers to avoid burning the surfaces.

Leaning on the edges

What happens when you are preparing your meals with your better half in the kitchen? If there are no chairs in the room, they often lean on the edges, isn’t it? This is wrong as, just like standing or sitting, you put extra pressure on the counters, increasing their chances of getting damaged especially if there are fault lines.

As you should avoid sitting, you should definitely avoid opening a beer bottle on the counters.

Dicing directly on the countertops

The same way homeowners think they can place hot items on the countertops and get away with it is the same way they think they can chop directly on the granite kitchen countertops Rockville and cause no harm.

Oh boy, how wrong are they? When you cut directly on the surfaces, you cause fine scratches that can disrupt the waterproof sealant on the countertops, making them more susceptible to damage.

To maintain your countertops in top condition, always use a cutting board whenever you are chopping, slicing, or dicing.

06

Dec

9 Things You Shouldn’t Place On Your Granite Countertops

While granite countertops are tough, certain things can destroy them hence you shouldn’t place them on the countertop surfaces. These things include:

Raw meat

No. Raw meat won’t damage your countertops. When you place the meat on the countertops, salmonella and other bacteria are left on the surface, and they can spread to the other food you place on the countertops.

If you have ever placed meat on the countertops, you always have the urge to cleanse the surfaces with harsh disinfectants, right? This happens with most homeowners.

The disinfectants and cleansers dull and damage the countertop sealant. In some cases, the products are too tough that they discolor the granite.

For you to keep your countertops in top shape for a long time, never place raw meat on the surfaces. When cutting the meat, put it on a cutting board.

Knives

Due to their look, the countertops might seem like the perfect areas to chop your food. Unfortunately, the surfaces are prone to chips, cuts, and scratches that can dull them.

When you cut on the surfaces, you can also dull the knives, which increases your risk of lacerations.

For you to protect your countertops and knives, avoid chopping directly on the granite surfaces. Just like with meat, have a cutting board in place. When placing the blades on the countertops, keep them inside a protective knife block.

Spills

It’s hard to avoid water spills on the kitchen countertops, but you can stay away from juice and wine spills. You can do this by avoiding placing the products on the countertops. When the spills happen by mistake, clean the countertops immediately.

The reason for this is because the spills leave a dark shadowy spot that gives the surfaces a cheap, ugly look. Of significant importance, avoid wine and cranberry juice spills as they leave light-colored stains that are hard to remove.

Acids

Soft drinks, citrus fruits, vinegar, lotions, perfumes, nail polishes, and soaps are acidic, and can etch the surfaces and damage the granite seal, making the countertops stain more easily.

In the kitchen, keep the acidic products in a drawer where they can’t get into contact with the countertops. When cooking, be cautious that you don’t spill them.

In the bathroom, put the personal care products in a cabinet or basket with a secure base that won’t leak in the event of a spill.

Impact damage

It’s true granite is extremely hard, but the impact of a heavy object can cause it to chip. Chipping is common around the sink and edges. The visibility of the chips depends on the color of the countertops.

For you to prevent the damage from coming about, be cautious when lifting heavy objects above the countertops.

Oil

When cooking, it’s common for oil used in cooking to leak down the bottle. The oil can stain the countertops leaving ugly stains. For you to prevent stains resulting from the oil, keep the oil bottles and oily sauces in the cupboard.

Hot pans

Granite is an igneous rock that can handle a lot of heat; thus, a brief encounter with a hot pot won’t hurt the countertops. While this is the case, exposing the countertops to excessive heat weakens the sealants, which not only means that the liquids directly flow into the countertops, it also gives the countertops an ugly look.

For you to prevent the countertops from getting damaged, always have trivets and potholders nearby when cooking. When spills happen when cooking, wipe them immediately.

A lot of weight

The countertops are tough and can take a lot of weight, but this is no reason to stand or sit on them. When you place a lot of weight on the edges, the countertops can easily crack, forcing you to replace them, which is expensive.

Keep heavy loads off the countertops. If you can’t, place the load at the center (not at the edges where it can easily crack the surfaces).

Soap

If you are like other homeowners, you use soap to clean your countertops. While there is nothing wrong with this, regular use of soap leads to soap accumulation. According to granite installers Rockville, excessive soap gives the countertops a murky look.

To keep the countertops in top shape, use the soap in moderation. After using it, clean all of it off.

01

Nov

6 Granite Countertops Problems And How To Fix Them

Many homeowners install granite countertops as they are durable. Unfortunately, the countertops aren’t impervious to damage. Here are six common problems with granite kitchen countertops and how to fix or prevent them:

Ruptured countertop surfaces

A ruptured countertop gives the kitchen a cheap and unmaintained look. Many homeowners are scared of the rupture as they think they have to replace the entire countertop surfaces. This isn’t the case. If the damage is isolated, you can fix the damaged slab without touching the other areas.

Countertops rupture due to many reasons:

  • Poorly crafted joints
  • Countertops installed over uneven surfaces
  • Failure to give glue enough time to dry during the installation
  • Placing a lot of weight in one area

How you fix the damaged area depends on the extent of the damage. For small cracks, use an adhesive. For deeper cracks or damage brought about by excessive weight, remove the damaged slab using a drill then apply special filler.

To maintain a uniform look, choose a filer that blends seamlessly with the countertops.

Separating seam joints

If you notice the countertops moving and the joints separating after applying pressure on them, the adhesive might have weakened. Hire a professional stone technician to make the right adjustments to the countertops. The expert should remove the existing adhesive and replace it with a better, more durable option.

Avoid doing the replacement by yourself as you risk causing more damage than was originally there.

Dull surfaces

If your countertops are slowly losing their shine, it’s because you are exposing them to harsh cleaning products. Don’t rush to replace the countertops as there are plenty of solutions you can use without having to replace the surfaces.

Hire a professional from your local store to fix the dull granite countertops. He/she can do this by buffing and re-polishing the countertops. Don’t try fixing this problem on your own as you risk making it worse.

To prevent the problem from coming about in the future, watch the type and quality of cleaners you are using. Most cleaners are too harsh for the surfaces; therefore, stay away from them.

For everyday cleaning, go with soap and warm water. Avoid products with chemicals. When in the store, read the ingredients and ensure none can damage the surfaces.

For peace of mind, choose products designed specifically for granite countertops.

Countertop stains

Properly sealed countertops are highly resistant to stains, but when you allow even water to soak in, the countertops easily stain.

Oils, wine, and even fruit juice can penetrate the surfaces leaving stains. Don’t remove the countertops when stains happen. Remove oil stains with a homemade paste made from acetone and baking soda.

When it comes to organic stains, remove them by soaking a paper towel in bleach, then placing it on the affected area.

To prevent the stains from coming about, seal the granite regularly with a high-quality granite sealer. You also should make a habit of wiping the spills as soon as they happen.

Heat damage

Just as granite is resistant to water damage, it’s also resistant to heat damage. Unfortunately, it can be damaged by hot pots and pans. This is because the sealant and finish aren’t as heat resistant as the rest of the stone.

When you repeatedly place hot dishes on the countertops, you leave black marks on the surfaces bringing about thermal shock and even cracks. Extreme heat can also damage the sealer making granite susceptible to stains and acid damage.

For you to prevent the damage, avoid placing hot pots and pans directly on the countertops. Always use hot pads, pot holders, trivets, and other barriers.

If the damage has already happened, how you repair it depends on the extent of the damage. If minor, remove the stain using toothpaste. You can also re-polish the surface. Only consider replacing the countertops if the damage is extensive.

Scratches

Only materials harder than granite can cause scratches. Scratches aren’t a major problem with the countertops, but to avoid them, granite installers Rockville recommend you avoid sliding rings with precious stones across the surfaces.

If they have already happened, applying a thin layer of polish on the surfaces will get rid of most of them. If you have the skills, you can apply the layer, but if you have never done it before, let an expert handle it.