Granite is an exceptionally durable material capable of withstanding some of the most extreme conditions many countertop materials aren’t able to. Thanks to their outstandingly tough composition and shine, countertops fashioned with this natural stone can last for decades when properly cared for.
Very few countertop materials can match their unparalleled alluring appeal as well as their appearance. Due to the natural essence of this stone, granite countertops tend to incorporate the same timeless and classic charm, which is why they’re one of the most sought-after types of countertops.
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Six granite countertop problems and their causes
Although granite counters have some outstanding qualities, they aren’t without flaws. In this article, we’ll outline some common problems associated with granite countertops and the best ways to care for them to help maintain their shine and keep them in tip-top shape for many years to come. Read on to discover some useful information concerning granite and how to maintain these stones properly.
1. Heat Damage
Although granite countertops are heat resistant, their high tolerance doesn’t mean that they can’t be damaged by long-term excessive heat from pans and pots. Repeatedly placing hot cooking items and objects on them has a tendency of leaving dark spots and marks, some of which become permanent.
To ensure your granite countertops stay nice and shiny, try as much as you can to avoid placing blazing hot items on them all the time.
2. Chips and fissures
You’re probably already aware of the fact that granite is a purely natural stone extracted from the earth. This of course means that it doesn’t necessarily have the same smooth surface and texture as glass and some other synthetic and fabricated materials. However, granite countertops have relatively hard surfaces and aren’t as easily cracked or damaged.
While they are immensely durable, there’s still a chance of chipping and fissures occurring during transportation and installation. As hard as they are, they aren’t immune to impact from similarly hard materials. Fissures usually occur around the edges of the sink and are often quite noticeable.
3. Hazing
This is simply when countertops begin to appear a bit hazy or clouded. A major factor responsible for this is as a result of using the wrong cleaning items. To prevent this from happening, you need to steer clear of dish soap when cleaning because it tends to cause these countertops to appear dull or faded, instead find stone-safe cleaners to use for this purpose.
4. Etching can occur from contact with acidic liquids
This is actually one of the most frequent causes of deterioration in this natural stone. Acidic liquids from fruits and beverages such as lemon juice, orange juice, coffee, wine, and soft drinks could lead to etching on granite surfaces, especially when left for extended periods.
While the signs might not be easily noticed, etching can and will dull the appearance of granite countertops if acidic liquids aren’t wiped away from their surfaces in due time. A great way to prevent etching is to ensure the surface of your kitchen countertops remains properly sealed.
Also, refrain from experimenting with unknown household cleaning agents because many of them tend to be corrosive or acidic. Whenever your granite countertops come into contact with any of the aforementioned liquids, ensure to wipe the spills off immediately.
Although it’s rather difficult for the surfaces of granite counters to etch or get discolored it’s best to avoid this possibility entirely by avoiding wine, fruit, juice, and oil spills as much as possible. If you notice any organic stains on their surfaces make a baking soda paste mixed with acetone to wipe the affected areas.
5. Cracks
Granite kitchen countertops aren’t susceptible to cracking under normal circumstances. However, there’s a high chance they’ll crack under the weight of extremely heavy objects. They can also get damaged during heavy stress handling and even during installation.
You might also begin to notice crack marks and stress fractures on your countertops if you constantly stand on them to reach certain items in the kitchen or for any other reason.
6. Harsh cleaning chemicals make granite countertops susceptible to stains
Granite counters aren’t likely to retain stains unless harsh cleaning agents are constantly used on them. While they generally have a very high resistance to stains, using harmful cleaning chemicals will inevitably wear off their stain resistance in the long run.
For this reason, it’s best to keep things simple when choosing from the many stain removal products out there; use some mildly warm water, a soft sponge, and some soap for occasional cleaning.
Rather than buying random cleaning products, instead, search for cleaners specifically intended for granite countertops, such products are often free of bleach and ammonia which are quite detrimental to the age appearance of granite kitchen countertops.
This is why, as a granite countertops supplier ourselves, we have carefully and specially created cleaning agents specifically to care for your countertops and prevent any form of wear and tear that could lead to depreciation of value.
In case you start to notice your countertops aren’t looking as shiny and as they used to, this might be a sign that they’re being exposed to the wrong cleaning products.
You don’t need to hurry down to your dealer to have them replaced since there are several ways to solve this problem without replacing them entirely. One of the ways around this problem is to hire a professional to take a look at the countertop material preferably someone from your local store with the expertise to handle the job.
The repairer can solve this problem by re-polishing or buffing the surfaces of your granite or quartz countertops. It’s essential that you don’t attempt to solve this problem on your own or you risk worsening the look and color of the material even more.
That’s not all! We have compiled a list of 10 of the most terrible mistakes you should avoid making if you own a granite countertop.
How to avoid all potential granite counter problems
Granite is undoubtedly one of the world’s toughest and most durable igneous rocks and naturally, we’d expect it to endure any kind of physical damage and always come out unscathed, unfortunately, this isn’t the case. While they may be as tough as nails, they aren’t anywhere near indestructible.
However, we have come to realize that the quality of your granite countertop may help to reduce the damage. This is why we have created an article to guide you on finding the perfect granite countertops supplier in Cleveland, and anywhere else.
Read on for some important things to avoid in order to keep your countertops in good condition.
1. Refrain from cutting raw meat on granite countertops
There should be no room for bacteria to work their way into a perfectly sealed granite counter. However, there’s still a chance that they might make their way into the microscopic crevices too small for the eye to see, and of course, there’s absolutely no reason to take such a risk.
Whether or not the meat would have any damaging effect on the counter, there’s still a good chance that the residue on the counter could be a health risk if they wind up in another food item.
Another reason to avoid working with raw meat on granite kitchen countertops is that oftentimes after handling meat or fish, most homeowners feel that they have to clean their countertops with extremely potent cleaning solutions and therefore resort to harsh disinfectants that end up doing more harm than good.
The occurrence of this issue can be avoided entirely by simply using cutting boards and then cleaning up the countertop’s surface with some soapy water and a soft microfiber cloth afterward.
2. Avoid storing acidic items on your granite countertops
Acidic liquids can eat away at the surfaces of granite counters which will, in turn, cause them to stain a lot easier. This is why you have to take extra care when bringing common acidic items anywhere near your granite kitchen countertop, especially white granite and quartz countertops as stains and cracks are much more visible on them.
3. Clean up stains on your granite kitchen countertop as quickly as possible
There’s nothing unusual about accidentally spilling liquids all over your white granite countertop, these kinds of things tend to happen no matter how cautious we try to be. In that case, it’s essential to spring into action immediately with some soapy water and a mild cleanser, letting the spill sit for too long will cause the seal to etch gradually, giving room for permanent stains.
4. Don’t cut directly on granite kitchen countertops
We all know how tough granite counters are and that they are perfectly capable of withstanding even direct knife cuts. However, this is something you should avoid doing as your granite countertop will eventually develop scratch marks which will dull its appearance considerably as the years go by, this is also true for quartz and marble.
Not only will this damage your countertops, but continually cutting food on the surface of granite will inevitably dull your knife’s blade. Although not many people realize this, a dull knife is a lot riskier to use than a sharp one as the use of excessive force can lead to accidental cuts. Save yourself the trouble and use a cutting board instead.
5. Try to avoid dropping heavy objects on your kitchen countertops
Repeatedly dropping heavy items on your granite counters will certainly result in unsightly chips and scratches that will damage its overall look. The most vulnerable areas of a granite countertop are the cutout near the sink and their edges, these parts are most susceptible to damage from high impact.
The best way to minimize the risk of ruining your granite countertop is by simply storing large kitchen items and heavy cookware within your lower cabinets. This is one of the best ways to prevent damage as it’s less likely for you to drop a sizable or hot kitchen item when picking it from below even if you happen to be in a hurry.
To maintain the appearance of your granite countertops, always take care when lifting heavy items onto your countertops to prevent scratches.
Final words
Granite remains the gold standard as far as countertop materials are concerned. Simply adhere to the guidelines above and you won’t be needing a countertop update for a very long time.
Send us a message today and we will help you create your dream home, using some of the most affordable, yet super-gorgeous kitchen counters you have ever seen.
