07

Jan

How Do You Make Granite Countertops Look Good?

Granite countertops look magnificent in any home, and this is one of the primary reasons many homeowners go for them. If you have had your countertops for a long time and they have started losing their original exquisite look, you must be wondering, how do you make granite countertops look good, right?

Well, there are plenty of ways you can do it. Some of these ways include:

Shine the countertops

When you installed the countertops for the first time, you must have noticed an inviting natural shine. The shine is largely due to the high quartz content in granite.

While the shine is inviting when new, over time, it fades off, giving your countertops an old, cheap look.

To make your countertops look good, you need to maintain this shine. Besides cleaning the countertops regularly, you also should regularly polish the surfaces.

Thankfully, there are plenty of polishing products in the market you can use. All you need to do is find those that match your countertops and give your surfaces a perfect look you are looking for.

When polishing the countertops, take care not to use rough cleaning tools that scratch the surface. As a rule of thumb, use a soft cloth, precisely a microfiber cloth, that won’t cause any harm to the surface.

Use the same soft cloth to buff the surfaces and buff in a circular motion to don’t cause any harm and reach the entire surface.

Other ways to keep your granite looking good

Besides polishing the countertops, there are many other ways to keep your granite looking good. Some of these other ways include:

Take good care of the countertops

Like your car, clothes, appliances, or any other thing, if you want your countertops to look good, you have to take good care of them.

The beauty is there are plenty of ways to take care of them. Some of these ways include:

Clean spills immediately: As soon as spills happen, you should clean them to avoid hard-to-remove stains from forming.

Use coasters: Coasters come in handy at preventing the hot pots placed on the countertops from coming into direct contact with the countertops. As a rule of thumb, use high-quality coasters that will provide the countertops with maximum protection and last for a long time.

Use cutting boards: The same way you should use coasters and hot pads is the same way you should use cutting boards when cutting meat, vegetables, and other food items. As a rule of thumb, never cut directly on granite surfaces.

Don’t sit on the countertops: It’s normal for most homeowners to sit on the countertops as they wait for food to cook. Others will come to the kitchen and sit there as they chat. This is wrong.

To avoid cracking your countertops, avoid sitting on them, especially on the edges. You also should avoid standing on them to reach the top shelves or replace a burnt bulb.

Clean the countertops regularly

As mentioned above, cleaning the countertops goes a long way towards keeping them looking good. When doing the cleaning, use the right cleaning products.

In most cases, water and soap are enough to keep the surfaces in top shape, but you can use commercial cleaning products when looking for that extra shine. When buying the cleaner, use one specifically designed for granite surfaces.

Never use ammonia, citrus, or vinegar to clean the surfaces as they are highly acidic cleaners, and using them will dull the surfaces.

The right way to clean the countertops is to spray or mist the cleaner across the entire surface, then let it sit for a minute, after which you wipe it with a soft microfiber cloth until it’s dry.

Seal the countertop

The final thing you should do is seal the countertops to lock out any materials that might try to find their way into the countertops. You can seal the countertops or hire granite countertop installers Rockville to help.

When sealing the surfaces, work in small sections to don’t spray the same area more than once. After applying the sealant, wipe the surfaces with a soft cotton cloth until completely dry.

20

Dec

Can You Paint Granite Countertops?

If your countertops are old or you don’t like their current look, instead of removing them, one of the ways to improve their look is to paint them. So to answer your question, can you paint granite countertops? Yes, you can do it.

To get the most from painting your countertops, you need to do several things that include:

Properly prepare the surface

There is no way the paint will properly adhere to the surface if you don’t properly prepare it. For the paint to adhere properly, you need to rough up the surface by sanding it. The surface also needs to be clean, so after sanding the area, you should clean it so no dust or dirt particles might make their way into the paint, primer, or sealer during the project.

Apply the right primer

For the paint to adhere well without chipping or rubbing off, you should apply the right primer. If this is the first time doing it, take your time to find the right primer for your surfaces. You can apply the primer by yourself, but let it be done by an experienced professional who knows what they are doing for the best outcome.

Choose the right color scheme and paint.

There is no way your countertops will look good if you choose the wrong color scheme or use the wrong paint, so you should be cautious when making your choice.

As a rule of thumb, choose a paint color that goes along with the rest of the house. For example, if you are going for the marble look or any other color palette, choose multiple colors to complete the design.

If you have a small room, go for lighter colors to give the impression of space. And if you are one of the lucky people and have a large room, there is no harm in going for darker colors that will absorb light and make the room look and feel smaller and cozy.

If you aren’t sure about the right color or color combinations to go with, get the input of a professional.

When it comes to the type of paint, you should go for epoxy, latex, or acrylic that is known to be durable.

The best paint type to choose is acrylic latex paint that holds up well against heat and water, so you are sure that it will last for a long time when you apply it.

Don’t rush

When many homeowners decide to paint their countertops, they rush to find granite colors, and paints. While this is good as it gets you into doing rather than pondering, it often results in more mistakes.

To avoid mistakes, take your time and fully understand what you need before beginning your project. It’s always wise to consult a professional so that you understand your project better and find out whether you can handle it by yourself or you have to hire an expert.

For the best outcome, be patient throughout the countertop painting process. Carefully sand the surfaces, patiently prime them, paint them with precision, and you will have the surfaces of your dreams.

Seal the surfaces

After painting the surfaces and giving them enough time to dry, the next thing you should do is seal them. The purpose of sealing the countertops is to lock in the paint and protect the beautiful work underneath.

Like the paint and other materials, you used before, ensure that you use a high-quality primer that will last for a long time and give your surfaces the top-notch protection they deserve.

While there are many sealers you can apply, the best to go for is the masonry sealer that works the best on granite and other natural stones.

You can apply the sealer yourself or ask a granite contractor Rockville to help out. When making the application, you can use a roller or paintbrush.

Once you are done with sealing, give the countertops at least 24 hours to completely dry before placing items on them.

11

Dec

Tips to Keep Your Kitchen Granite Countertop Sparkling Clean

When every homeowner installs granite countertops, they want them to look clean and sparkling all the time. The good news is that this is possible. How do you do it? Here are tips to keep your kitchen granite countertop sparkling clean:

Clean the countertops properly

It goes without saying that if you want to keep your countertops sparkling, you have to clean them properly. To help you out, here are the cleaning steps to follow:

Begin with clearing any items from your kitchen countertops. These include cooking appliances such as crockery and blenders. You should then follow it up by getting rid of dust and debris using a sponge or microfiber.

Granite surfaces are sensitive to abrasive scrubbing techniques, so use soft brushes when cleaning. You should also avoid acidic chemicals, including vinegar, as they are known to destroy the sealants, weakening the countertops’ stain-resistant qualities.

Use warm water, soap, and a cleaning cloth for the best outcome.

After getting rid of the dust, dampen your microfiber cloth with warm water, then wipe your countertops gently. To prevent a lot of grime from accumulating on the countertop, rinse your cloth in fresh water periodically.

You should thoroughly wipe down your countertops from one end to the other until you cover the entire area.

For maximum cleaning effect, do the cleaning in an “S” pattern. If there are stubborn stains on the surfaces, you may have to intensify your scrubbing to remove the stubborn stains.

Once you are done with the cleaning, disinfect the countertop surfaces using a mixture of alcohol and water. A cup of each of these ingredients is enough, but add a few drops of cooking oil for better results.

Spray the mixture evenly on the surface, then after five minutes, wipe the surfaces gently with a dry cloth.

Get rid of tough stains.

Although daily cleaning with warm water and soap is enough to keep your countertops clean, sometimes you will have tough-to-remove stains. As you can tell, you can’t have clean, shiny countertops when there are ugly stains on the surfaces, can you?

To get rid of these stains, you should use baking soda, known to have excellent stain removal capabilities. To do the cleaning, you need to mix baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and warm water in a bowl until they form a thick paste.

Although it’s commonly used as a wound disinfectant, hydrogen peroxide is highly effective at getting rid of stains without bleaching or discoloring the countertops.

Carefully spread the thick paste over the countertops, then cover them with plastic wrap, ensuring you reach over the edges. Let the mixture do its magic overnight, then the following morning, rinse it thoroughly with water and wipe it down to reveal a stain-free kitchen top.

Prevent stains from forming

Instead of struggling to remove stains, you should prevent them from coming about in the first place. How do you do this?

The first thing to do is ensure that spills don’t stay on the countertops for a long time. As soon as spills happen, get rid of them. If you aren’t in the house when the spills happen, get rid of them as soon as you notice them.

When cleaning the countertops, don’t use abrasive chemicals to get rid of the spills. A simple piece of cloth is enough.

The other thing you should do is seal the countertops. Granite countertops are porous, so when you don’t seal them, there is the risk of the spills seeping deeper into the countertops resulting in tough to remove stains.

Seal the countertops the first time you install them, then once a year thereafter.

For the best outcome, use the highest quality sealer. You also should ensure that the sealing is done by experienced granite contractors Montgomery County MD.

The final thing you should do to stay away from stains is to avoid placing hot items directly on the countertops. Even if granite is tough and can take a lot of abuse, placing hot items on the counters is bound to cause burn stains that are often difficult to remove.

To ensure this doesn’t happen, always have trivets and hot pads on your counters at all times.

06

Dec

How Do You Measure A Countertop For Replacement?

When you are looking to undertake countertop replacement, you can go at it in two ways—do the work yourself or hire countertop replacement services.

If doing the work yourself, you have to measure the countertops so that you know how much to buy. Are you wondering, how do you measure a countertop for replacement? Here is how to go about it:

Get the measuring tools

You can’t measure the countertops without the right tools, can you? Some of the measuring tools you need for the work include:

Tape measure: You should use retractable tape with a steel blade. When using the blade, ensure that you can read the fractions of an inch. The tape should read in total inches and break into foot increments. For the best experience, stay away from cloth tape measures as they flex and stretch, giving you inaccurate results.

Pencil: You use a pencil to jot down figures. A pencil is better than a pen because you can correct any mistake you make. Use one with a hard lead that won’t break when using a pencil.

Graph paper: Although you can record your shapes and measurements on plain paper, graph paper provides a better and more accurate surface. When plotting, use a formula such as one square equals two inches.

Calculator: Unless you are a math whiz, you need a calculator to multiply, add and even divide the large figures. The beauty is that your calculator doesn’t have to be complicated—a regular calculator that can convert fractions to decimals then do some multiplication and division is enough.

Helper: Although not a tool, an extra pair of hands and eyes will go a long way towards helping you make correct measurements. The helper will help hold the tape end solid while stretching and recording. Ensure that you are on the reading end while the helper holds the tape at zero to avoid mistakes.

Draw a rough drawing of the countertop

Begin with making scale drawings of your countertop layouts. Remember to keep the countertop drawings complete where the sections join, such as in an L-shape or U-shape design.

You should note that you don’t have to be concerned about scaling the aisle separations when it comes to the galley kitchens or island situations. You only need to focus on the actual countertop surface you are dealing with.

Breakdown the countertop parts into blocks

To avoid overlaps, experts recommend you take measurements in rectangular blocks. Even the rounded or oval island, you should treat it’s a square.

Measure the countertops

You deal with two main dimensions when taking the measurements: length and width. The length is the lateral run across the counter surface, and width is the depth from the back of the wall to the front face. Make length your longest measurement and width the shortest one for the island and peninsula designs.

Take measurements of all the countertop areas from the sinks, backsplashes, faucet locations, and cooktops. Remember also to include the counter overhangs such as eating bars and nosings.

Transfer the measurements to the graph paper

After taking the measurements, transfer them to your graph paper and label each rectangle with a letter such as “A,” “B,” and so on. The purpose of doing this is to keep track of each zone, and at the same time, it makes it easier to describe the layout of your countertop supplier.

At this point, write the fractions as ¼, ½, ¾, etc. Don’t worry about converting them to decimals at this time—you will do this when you start calculating the final square footage.

Add all the rectangles and squares.

To get the total area in square inches, you need to add all the separate sections. To convert the area to square feet, divide the area in square inches by 144. You can alternatively plug the figures into a free online calculator or convertor.

Work with an experienced contractor.

Countertop installation is tough and requires extra care to get it right. You can also easily mess up, which ends up being too expensive. To minimize losses and ensure the work turns out perfect, work with experienced granite countertop installers Rockville or other professionals that know what they are doing.

29

Nov

What to Do With Granite Countertops

When buying granite for the first time, all you hear is what you shouldn’t do to it. For example, you are told that you shouldn’t sit on it, you shouldn’t place hot items on it, you shouldn’t wash it with harsh products, and so on.

If you are a granite fan, you must be wondering what you can do with it, right? Well, here is what to do with granite countertops:

Clean them with soap and a rag

Soap and rag are all you need to leave your countertops spotless. To clean the surfaces, wet a rag and apply a bit of soap to the countertop or your rug. You should then wipe the entire surface once to clean it.

To avoid spreading food, grease, and dirt, wring the rag with fresh water and once you are done, rinse the rag and wipe it down the counter with fresh water to remove any soap residues.

Follow it with drying the countertop with a microfiber cloth.

If the soap isn’t getting your countertops clean enough or you want to get better results, use a special countertop cleaner.

You can also make your special granite cleaner. To make the cleaner, you need to mix 50/50 rubbing alcohol with water, then add 20 drops of your favorite essential oils. This mixture will not only clean the countertops, but also disinfect them.

Remove granite stains

The other thing you can do is remove granite stains. Regular daily cleaning is enough to leave your countertops spotless, but sometimes you spill something, and you don’t remove it on time. In such a case, you have to think about removing the stains without damaging the natural stone.

One of the ways to do it is to apply baking soda paste. Regardless of the nature of the stain, the chances are high that baking soda will remove it. To get rid of an oil-based stain, make a baking soda paste with water and if you are dealing with a water-based stain, mix the baking soda with hydrogen peroxide.

Apply the paste over the stained areas, gently scrub the counter with a soft cloth and rinse it thoroughly. If the stain doesn’t come off the first time, repeat it.

If you repeatedly scrub the surface and the stain doesn’t come off, cover the area with plastic wrap and tape the edges down. Leave the homemade stain remover in place overnight or after a few days, then rinse and wipe the granite with a soft cloth and this will hopefully reveal the stain-free surface.

Seal the countertops

Most granite countertops come with a seal coat, but this isn’t enough—you need to add an extra layer to keep your countertops in top shape. You can do the sealing by yourself if you have the skills, but let an expert do the work for the best outcome.

You have two options with sealants—water and solvent-based sealants. Water-based sealants are environmentally friendly, while solvent-based sealants go deeper into the soil.

Regardless of what you settle on, when making the purchase, be on the lookout for the active ingredient “fluorocarbon aliphatic resin.” This product provides over 10 years of protection and repels oil from your surfaces, so you don’t have to worry about oils on your surfaces.

Begin with cleaning the countertops to remove dirt, dust, and other materials that might be present. One of the best ways to clean is to mix one teaspoon of dishwashing detergent and two tablespoons of isopropyl alcohol in a pint spray bottle and fill it with cool water.

You should then generously apply it on the countertops and wipe it clean with polishing using a microfiber cloth. Give the countertops 24 hours to completely dry out before applying the sealer.

Proceed and apply your desired sealer. To prevent the sealer from coming off, it’s recommended you leave it at least 24 hours before using the countertops.

Parting shot

These are some of the things you can do with your granite counters. If you can’t do something to your counters, let granite companies Rockville or any other professionals help you out—you don’t want to do something you can’t, and you ruin your precious surfaces, do you?

08

Nov

What Is A Cheaper Alternative To Granite Countertops?

Every homeowner dreams about installing granite in their homes. Unfortunately, the countertops don’t come cheap. If you have always wanted to install granite in your home, but the price is out of your reach, you must be wondering, what is a cheaper alternative to granite countertops, right? Well, there are many of them, with the common ones being:

Quartz

Also known as engineered stone, quartz is one of the most affordable alternatives you can go with. Contractors recommend it when you are looking to achieve simple luxury. The good thing about it is that it comes in different shades and colors, so you will find one that fits your style.

Quartz is also non-porous, meaning that it’s easy to clean and doesn’t stain easily.

Since the countertop is an engineered stone, you can modify it to a glossy or matte surface. And the presence of resin means you don’t need to keep sealing it, which makes it even easier to maintain.

While quartz is an excellent alternative to granite, it has its drawbacks. One of the drawbacks being that it’s easily damaged by heat. This means that if you place hot pots and pans on it, the countertop is bound to melt and burn, leaving a blackened indentation.

Marble countertops

Yes, some marble varieties are cheaper than granite. To avoid spending too much money on the countertops, avoid rare and exotic varieties.

The beauty of marble is that it has a timeless beauty, and when properly installed, it’s one of the most aesthetically pleasing countertops you can have. The countertop also comes in a variety of colors and veining patterns.

While it comes in a variety of inviting colors, it’s relatively soft and porous which means that it will chip and scratch easily when put under pressure and hard wear. The porosity also puts the stone at the risk of staining.

It will also absorb any foods, liquids, and cleaning chemicals that you put on it, making it difficult to clean.

Quartzite

If you want a countertop that looks like marble but is more durable and heat resistant, you should consider quartzite. Quartzite forms when sandstone shifts deeper into the earth’s mantle, raising the sandstone’s temperature and forcing it to crystallize.

The good thing is that, unlike marble, quartzite is exceptionally durable and doesn’t scratch easily. The countertop is also heat and stain-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about scratching or burning it.

While the countertop is great and might look like marble, it’s limited in the color area where it doesn’t have as many color varieties as marble.

Sintered stone

Sintered stone is engineered stone made from quartz and ceramic particles. The particles that make up sintered stone are treated with high pressure and heat to form a crystallized stone in the lab.

Sintered stone can be made from different materials, which gives it different color varieties and patterns.

With a hardened level of 7/10 on the Mohs hardness scale, sintered stone is one of the hardest and durable materials you can have. It’s even less porous, making it easy to maintain as you don’t have to worry about sealing it.

It’s heat resistant, so you can place hot pots and pans on it without worrying about causing cracks and damage.

While the stone is great, its made in the laboratory which makes it less environmentally friendly than natural stone materials.

Wood

Wooden countertops can be made from different materials such as oak, maple, cherry, bamboo, and walnut.

Since it’s soft and more forgiving, when you drop a glass on a wooden countertop, it will never break like it’s the case with granite.

While this softness is good, it can sometimes result in chips, cut marks, and cracks.

To keep your wooden countertops looking great, you need to treat them monthly with mineral oils. You also should seal the countertops to keep them clean and stain-free.

There you go

These are some of the best and cheapest granite alternatives. If you aren’t sure about the right one to go for, get the input of a professional. They will advise whether to go for wood or quartz countertops Potomac depending on the look you want to achieve and your budget.

29

Oct

What Is The Cheapest Color Of Granite?

If you have been shopping for granite countertops, you must have noticed that the color of the countertop has a significant impact on the price, where the uniform, rare colors tend to go at a higher price.

If you are operating on a budget, you must be wondering, what is the cheapest color of granite, right? The cheapest countertops are those with speckled and busy designs. The most common ones being:

Azul Platino

Azul Platino is quarried near Vigo, Spain, and it has been around for hundreds of years. This granite features an off-white background with small bluish-gray specks, and in some cases, it will have black spots scattered throughout the slab.

It’s also common to have the countertops with white or black veining. On closer examination, the countertops will have green, brown, or even pink flecks. The countertops will also have amethyst quartz crystals that provide brilliant violet flecks throughout the slab.

Azul Platino slab is usually large, making it an excellent choice for kitchen islands and other large-sized countertop needs.

New Caledonia

New Caledonia is quarried in Espirito Santo, Brazil, and the granite features a uniform appearance meaning that it’s common to find two almost identical slabs, which is not common with most other natural granite slabs.

The granite slab features a white background with gray and brown speckles that run uniformly throughout the slab.

When you look at the slab from a distance, it appears to be comprised of shades of gray ranging from light gray to deep charcoal with black and white patches throughout the slab, but on closer examination, you will notice hues of brown and sparkling crystals running throughout.

The beauty with New Caledonia is that it’s highly versatile and looks great in both contemporary and traditional kitchens and bathrooms.

You can pair it with dark wood-stained cabinetry or with light cabinetry for the charcoal flecking to stand out.

Dallas white

Dallas white granite is quarried in Aguia Branca, Brazil, and the granite has low water absorption and low porosity, making it an excellent choice for kitchens and bathrooms.

The slab has a white background with dark crystals scattered throughout, and in some cases, it might have slight veining.

The countertop’s uniform flecking works perfectly in traditional kitchens where the granite’s brown, golden cream veins and lavender flecks blend perfectly, giving your kitchen a beautiful look.

For the perfect look, pair the countertops with white or dark wood cabinetry such as walnut.

The unique thing about Dallas White granite is that, unlike other granites in the market, it doesn’t need face resin due to the tight grain structure found in the stone.

The lack of resin means that you can place hot pots on the countertops without worrying about damaging the granite surface.

Uba tuba granite

Also known as Ubatuba, Uba tuba is mined near Ubatuba, Sao Paolo, Brazil. The granite features a dark green background with consistent green, gold, and brown flecks scattered across the slab.

It also has a tight granite pattern with a few veins running throughout the stone. The veins present are usually small and gold, white, or turquoise.

The minerals in the granite vary in size from as little as an apple seed to as large as half a dollar, which significantly adds visual interest to the stone.

If you have a traditional kitchen, pair Ubatuba with dark cabinetry but if looking to create a contemporary space, pair the countertops with white cabinetry.

If you aren’t sure about the look you want to create, you don’t have to worry, as the various colors found in the Uba Tuba slab create a sophisticated yet simple look that works for every home.

Don’t buy poor-quality granite.

While you are looking for the cheapest color, you shouldn’t buy the cheapest quality countertop as it’s a matter of time before the countertop starts breaking apart and they end up being too expensive in the long run. Instead of cutting the cost on the quality of the slab, stay away from fancy edges, and instead, opt for a standard sink and choose granite remnants for the small areas instead of buying an entire slab.

To avoid getting ripped off, walk with experienced granite countertop installers Rockville to these stores.

30

Sep

Do Granite Countertops Chip Easily?

If you are wondering, do granite countertops chip easily? No, they don’t. Granite is one of the toughest countertop materials in the market, and as long as you install counters that are thick enough and you take good care of them, you don’t have to worry about them chipping.

While the countertops are tough, they will chip when you exact a lot of pressure on them. For example, if you sit or hit them. They will also chip if you place a weighty material on the edges.

What should you do when you have a chip on your countertops?

The logical thing to do is to fix the chip to prevent your countertops from staining or giving your surfaces an ugly look. While any chip on granite can be fixed, you should note that there is no way the granite surface will look as it used before.

You can fix the chip by yourself if you have the skills, but let a professional handle it for the best outcome.

When you contact a professional, they will come to your home and fill the spot with Epoxy. The unfortunate thing is that while Epoxy makes the surface flat and even, it doesn’t look exactly as granite you are replacing.

Epoxy’s sheen is different from granite, and it doesn’t match the granite pattern. This means that anyone can easily tell that you fixed the countertop.

Since there is no way to fix the countertop and it retains its original look, if the chip is small or in a hidden corner, you are better off leaving it the way it is.

How do you prevent chips on your granite countertop?

There are plenty of tricks you can use to prevent the chips from coming about in the first place. These tricks include:

Seal the countertop

Most homeowners seal their granite countertops to prevent stains from coming about. Sealing the countertops not only prevents stains, but also prevents chipping of the surfaces.

To protect your surfaces, seal the countertops with a quality sealer. Apply the sealer in layers a few times a year.

If you aren’t sure when to do the sealing, do a water test. Here you pour ¼ cup of water on the countertop surface and make a note of the time you placed the water on the surfaces.

If it takes more than 30 minutes, and the surface hasn’t darkened, the sealant is still in good shape, and you don’t need to reapply it. On the other hand, if the surface darkens, it’s time to apply a sealant. If the water gets absorbed immediately, apply several layers of the sealant.

Clean the countertops

You might wonder how cleaning the countertops will protect them from damage, but it comes in handy. When the countertops are clean, you not only have an easy time noticing the damage on the surfaces, but you also get rid of items that could lead to etching and staining.

While there are many cleaners in the market, few are right for you. As a rule of thumb, use a quality cleaner that will clean and shine the granite while offering a protective layer.

For the best results, ensure that the cleaner you go with is specially designed for granite counters. To be even sure that the cleaner isn’t causing any damage to your counters, go for one recommended for your specific color and brand.

Make use of bendable trivets.

Instead of placing your hot pots and pans directly on the countertops, place them on trivets, and as a consequence, you protect your surfaces. For peace of mind, make a habit of placing your pots on the heating pads and trivets at all times—regardless of whether they are hot or cold.

The reason for this is because some cold pots and pans might be having a vinegar base, and when you place them on the countertops, they leave the vinegar on the countertops. When the temperatures change, the vinegar begins to react with the sealant, which exposes your surfaces to stains and other forms of damage.

So, do granite countertops chip easily?

As mentioned, granite is tough and doesn’t chip easily. While this is the case, ensure that your countertops are installed by experienced granite installers Rockville. This way, you are sure the contractor won’t install countertops with a large edge that easily chips.

24

Sep

Can You Mess Up Granite Countertops?

Due to its tough nature, many homeowners have the impression that granite is indestructible. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case.

Can you mess up granite countertops? Yes, you can do it. Some of the ways you can mess your countertops include:

Cleaning the countertops with the wrong materials

To keep the countertop surfaces smooth and bacteria-free, you have to clean them regularly, but you need to use the right cleaning products as using the wrong ones will mess them up.

As a rule of thumb, never use these products to clean your granite:

  • Glass cleaner
  • Ammonia
  • Vinegar
  • Bleach
  • Generic cleaning supplies with strong acids and alkalis
  • Bathtub, bathroom, and tile cleaners

The reason for this is because the acidic and abrasive ingredients in many household cleaners will eat away at your countertop’s sealant, making it more susceptible to staining and extensive damage.

To keep your countertops clean with as minor damage as possible, clean the countertops using a soft washcloth, warm water, and mild soap.

Regardless of how clean you want the countertops, don’t use abrasive products.

Having poor food preparation practices

Did you know how you prepare the food can mess up your countertops? Due to the perception that granite is tough, some homeowners chop their onions, tomatoes, and even meat directly on the granite surfaces. This is wrong as it leaves large scratches on the surfaces giving your countertops a cheap, unkempt look.

To protect your countertops, always have a cutting board in a place where you do your cutting. Regardless of how minor the cutting you are doing, do it on a cutting board.

On the same breath, don’t place a hot pot or pan directly on the countertops as they will burn the surfaces leaving ugly stains that force you to replace the countertops. You might get away with placing the hot pots and pans directly on the surfaces, but you will be in trouble when you repeatedly do it.

Always let the pans and pots cool on the even and only place them on the countertops when they are fully cold and harmless to the countertop surfaces. The same thing applies to hot plates and cups.

If you have to have them on hot surfaces, place them on hot pads and trivets.

When preparing meat, don’t leave it sitting directly on the countertops. This is because it will leave a mess, and if you don’t clean it early enough, it will stain the surfaces.

Meat also allows bacteria to work their way into the countertops and, over time, get into other foods, which can lead to food spoilage and even food poisoning when you take the food.

Being careless with what you place on the countertops

Granite countertops can handle plenty of items, but how you place them goes a long way towards determining how long the countertops last. Placing uncovered lotions, cooking oils, bottled liquids, and other materials will, over time, leave a layer of grease and oil on the countertops.

While the layer won’t erode the sealant, the oil will seep through it and stain the countertops, forcing you to replace the countertop.

Ensure that the oils and greases you place on the surfaces are fully covered to prevent this from happening. You will even be better off if you can keep the bottles in the cupboards under the countertops. You can also use a tray and keep the bottles in an elevated area.

Standing and sitting on the countertops.

Granite is tough, and due to this, many homeowners stand on their surfaces when reaching the top shelf or sit on them when preparing their meals. While the countertops can withstand the pressure, repeatedly exposing the countertops to a lot of weight can cause the slab to crack or split, and you don’t want this to happen, do you?

To protect your surfaces and maintain the sanity of your countertops for as long as possible, don’t sit or stand on your countertops. If you have to reach the top floor, granite countertop installers Rockville recommend using a ladder or stool.

Always have a chair in the kitchen for people to sit on instead of sitting on the countertops.

16

Sep

Do Granite Countertops Need Special Care?

Granite countertops are one of the most popular countertop materials in the market. Due to their popularity and high-end perception, you might have the impression that they require specialized care.

Do granite countertops need special care? Absolutely not. In fact, they are one of the easiest countertops to maintain.

To keep your counters in top shape, you need to:

Seal them

Granite is porous, meaning that when you pour water and other liquids on it, the water will get into the inner layers, where it puts the countertops at the risk of staining.

To protect your countertops, you should seal them the first thing after installing them.

If you have a busy kitchen, it’s common for the sealant to wear off after a few months or a year, so it’s wise that you test the countertops and confirm that they are ready for resealing.

How do you do it? One of the most effective tests you can do is the water absorption test. Here you pour water on the countertops and let the puddle stay there for at least 10 minutes. If the water gets absorbed and the countertop turns a shade dark, the sealer has most likely worn off, and it’s time to reapply it.

Whether sealing or resealing the countertops, ensure that you use a high-quality sealant that will provide your countertops with the protection they need and at the same time last for a long time.

Clean the countertops daily

The last thing you want are countertops caked with dust and debris. Such countertops are not only unpleasant to look at, but they also tend to be hygienic, which puts you at the risk of suffering from a myriad of diseases.

To clean the countertops, you need a lint-free cloth or paper towel and water. Remove all the dirt and debris on the countertops, then dry the surface with a clean cloth or paper towel.

You might be tempted to clean the surfaces with abrasive cleaners such as ammonia to get the perfect look, but don’t. These cleaners will destroy the protective sealant on the countertops, so you are forced to reseal the surfaces.

Get rid of spills as soon as they happen.

Spills are one of the biggest granite enemies, so you should remove them as soon as they happen. You might argue that the sealant will prevent the water from getting into the deeper layers, but this isn’t the case.

It’s true that the sealant will prevent the water from absorbing fast, but when you leave the liquids on the surfaces for too long, they will soon get to the inner layers and stain the countertops. You don’t want this, do you?

To ensure that it doesn’t happen, don’t take chances. Even if the sealant halts the liquids from getting absorbed, failing to wipe off the liquids will be as good as if you hadn’t sealed the countertops in the first place so, when a spill happens, move with haste and remove it.

Protect the surfaces from heat

Like with many other countertop materials, heat will damage your granite surfaces, so you should protect them as much as possible.

One of the things you should do is to never place hot pots and pans directly on the countertops. This is because hot cooking items give the countertops ugly stains that you have to replace them.

To protect the surfaces, always have heat pads and trivets in place at all times. Even with these in place, let the pot cool for a little bit before placing it on the countertops.

Besides protecting your countertops from heat, you also should protect them from knife scratches. This calls for you to never cut anything directly on the countertops. Instead, use a cutting board.

Install the countertops properly

You can put all the maintenance measures in place, but it’s all useless if you haven’t properly installed the countertops. So, the first thing you should do is have the countertops expertly installed by experienced and certified granite contractors Rockville.

When hiring the contractors, take your time and ensure that the contractor has installed similar countertops before and know what they are doing.