After choosing the perfect granite for your home and purchasing it, it’s understandable that you want to keep it perfect. Protect your granite countertops by using the correct products on it and by avoiding other damaging mishaps.
Granite is an exceptionally hard natural stone, but it is possible to damage it if you do not take care of it properly.
Products to Avoid
Keep strong chemicals and cleaners away from granite surfaces. Avoid chlorine bleach, abrasive cleaners, ammonia, vinegar and citrus liquids. Damage could occur to the sealant layer on top of the granite with some chemicals.
Instead of using harsh chemicals, use gentle cleaners to keep granite beautiful. Gentle dishwashing liquid mixed with warm water should clean granite efficiently and safely. Plain water and a microfiber cloth will also remove smudges and soiling.
Special Liquids to Protect Granite
Check with the company from which you purchased the granite for a cleaner recommendation. Special granite cleaners are available which not only clean and shine the granite countertops, but can also replenish the protective sealant.
In this way you are protecting your granite countertops without the worry to remember the sealing schedule. DuPont Stonetech Revitalizer is one good product. It is proven to be very effective and yet is costs only $35 to $ 39 dollars for a gallon container that may last for 2 to 4 years depending on the size of the kitchen. You can use this revitalizer every day, once in few days, or as many times as you want to clean your countertops.
Sealing Granite
Maintenance of granite is basic and straightforward. Expect to reseal the surface once each year to protect the surface from stains that could permeate through the sealant. There are very effective sealants like the Bulletproof sealer, manufactured by DuPont, that can protect up to 3 years as opposed to yearly sealing.
Bulletproof Seal is a very effective product made by DuPont. You can purchase these products from reputable fabricators of your area.
With a strong sealant covering the granite, cleanup will be easier because the sealant layer will release particles and liquids easily.
Test the sealant to see if it’s time to seal again. If a droplet of water stays beaded on the surface of the granite, the existing sealant is still effective. If the water absorbs into the stone and the granite looks darker, reapply a fresh coat of sealant.
Chips or Cracks in the Granite
Typical everyday use of a granite countertop should not damage it. However, granite will break or chip under extreme abuse.
Granite countertops are strong enough to be installed directly over your cabinets. 3 cm granite slabs are ideal for this purpose. When granite is installed with overhangs of more than 8 inches, an adequate support needs to be built. Otherwise there is a possibility of cracking or breaking when heavy items are placed on the granite, or heavy people lean on the overhangs.
Reputable fabricators who follow the Marble Institute of America stone installation standards will take care of this issue by providing the necessary steel braces to support the granite.
Sometimes granite will chip around the edges of the counter. Impact of a ladder, or appliances, or any other sturdy objects while being moved around kitchen area may cause the granite chipping.
Generally these chips are small in size, but they may mar the beauty of your counter. A professional can repair a granite chip by filling the area in with a matching epoxy and filing and buffing it down to match the surrounding counter.
Scratches in Granite
Although it’s difficult to scratch granite, it can happen. Another rough piece of granite could scratch a granite counter. If scratches occur, contact a professional for repair to restore the shine.
Granite does not burn easily. Most pots and pans that you could place on granite would not be hot enough to scorch or damage the stone. Heat over 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit would damage granite.
Common sense usage and care should keep your granite countertops brilliantly beautiful for many years.
Please visit Arch City Granite & Marble if you need any natural stone protection products.