Granite is one of the best choices among popular materials for countertops. It’s a natural stone with outstanding composition and natural shine, and with proper care, a granite countertop can last for decades. Granite countertops are exceptionally durable and can withstand extreme conditions better than other materials.
Despite its timeless beauty, a granite countertop can get prematurely damaged if you don’t know how to take care of it. Here are some common problems to avoid with granite countertops and tips on how to solve them.
Staining
One of the most common problems with granite countertops is staining. This problem commonly occurs in areas near stoves and cooktops. If your countertops are unsealed, they’re prone to oil-based stains, and you will see darkening on the surfaces. For this kind of stain, you can use a stain removal solution that you must re-apply several times until the oil stain is gone.
Food stains from spilled wine and fruit juices can also wreak havoc on your countertops. Thus, you must always wipe spills immediately. You can remove organic stains like these by soaking a paper towel in bleach and placing it over the color. You should also use a high-quality sealer to protect your countertop surface.
You should also avoid using harsh chemicals when cleaning your granite countertops. This can cause chemical stains, and your granite will gradually lose its shiny surface. Dull granite surfaces can be re-polished, but this should be done by a professional.
2. Heat Damage
Granite is known to be heat-resistant. However, constant and excessive exposure to heat can still damage your countertops. In addition, placing hot pans and pans directly on the surface can leave dark spots and marks. Heat can also erode the sealant applied to the countertop, making it susceptible to acid damage and stains.
Avoid this by always using trivets or potholders under hot pans and pots. Always use barriers between hot objects and your countertop surfaces. If some black marks are caused by heat, you can try removing them using toothpaste. Replacement is the only solution for significantly damaged granite, so always be extra careful.
3. Chips and Fissures
With immense durability and hard surfaces, granite countertops are not easily cracked. However, there is still a chance that chipping and fissures may appear. These usually happen around the sink and other busy areas on the countertop.
Avoid hitting the granite surface with equally hard materials. When chips and fissures appear, you can apply epoxy materials onto the affected areas; make sure to use matching colors to restore the damaged surface as close to the original state as possible.
5. Dullness and Haziness
When the wrong cleaning items are used on granite countertops, the surface will appear hazy or dull. Thus, you need to avoid dish soap when cleaning your granite as this tends to cause such damage. Instead, you should find a cleaner made especially for granite and safe for natural stone surfaces.
The Bottom Line
Granite is one of the most popular materials for kitchen countertops. And you can make sure that your granite countertop stays beautiful and functional for a long time by caring for it properly. The quality of granite countertops starts with proper installation. Granite au Sommet manufactures, distributes, installs, and repairs granite, quartz, marble, Dekton, and Laminam countertops. Contact us today!