Granite FAQs

Bob's Wood Specialties and Credit River Granite

FAQs

Granite

Granite has a crystalline, granular structure, with a range of colors and consisting mostly of quartz, feldspars and minerals. Due to the fact the granite was formed over millions of years it has plenty of strength, permanence, solidity, quality and hardness. This of course makes it a great choice for a counter top surface. Most granite used for countertops is polished to a high gloss finish, however most granites have certain natural characteristics such as “pitting”, “fissures” or “dull spots.” To fully appreciate the beauty of the rock you must first understand the geology behind it.

Pits: “Pitting” is normally due to the fact that granite is a natural product that has crystalline structure, sometimes resulting in small spaces between the varying mineral crystals. In some cases, certain tiny crystals may also be removed during the polishing process causing the pits to become more visible. Therefore this “pitting” cannot be avoided in all granite types. The good news, however, is that the pitting will not become worse with regular use or with the passage of time.

Fissures/ Hairline Cracks: Like pitting, fissures/hairline cracks may also be noticeable in some granite colors. These are usually more visible in the larger quartz crystals. These surface fissures should not be confused with structural cracks that permeate the entire slab. Fissures are a natural result of the heating and cooling of the stone during its formation millions of years ago. Fissures will not grow or expand over time.

Dull Spots: The composition of quartz, feldspars and other minerals will determine the final appearance of the polished granite surface. While the overall appearance will be that of a high gloss finish, some components within the granite may not accept the same level of polish as the rest of the crystals, which can result in “dull spots” or “water marks.” Often these spots are visible on the crystals which are present in some granite.

Some granites exhibit more pits, fissures and dull spots than others, and they may also be more or less visible depending on the lighting conditions present in a room. Pits, fissures and dull spots do not compromise the integrity of the granite in any way; they are natural characteristics and will not impair the function or durability of the material. They are an expression of nature.room

Basic Stone Care Do's and Don'ts
• DO use coasters under glasses, especially if they contain alcohol or citrus juices.
• DO use trivets or mats under hot dishes or cookware.
• DO blot up spills immediately to minimize damage to the stone.
• DO clean surfaces regularly with cleaners designed for natural stone.
• DON’T use abrasive cleaners such as dry cleansers or soft cleansers.
• DON’T use alkaline cleaners not specifically formulated for stone.
• DON’T used abrasive cleaning pads such as green Scotch-Brite

Daily Cleaning
Daily cleaning can be accomplished with clean, warm water. A mild dishwashing soap can be added for more stubborn spills. Products designed for natural stone are always best as they clean and protect the stone. When using dish soap, avoid products with citrus or dyes. Window cleaning products should also be avoided. Some chemicals in household products will reduce the effectiveness of sealers. Countertops should always be wiped dry after cleaning to avoid clouding, spotting and streaking. Mineral deposits can also form on your granite countertops, (even from softened water) most commonly around faucet fixtures. Wipe up standing water to minimize this. To remove, use a natural stone cleaner and #0000 steel wool. Fine steel wool does not contain any minerals or abrasive characteristics that would damage the stone.

Sealing
Granite sealers are designed to help make cleaning countertops easier and to help prevent stains by slowing the rate that liquids and oils can penetrate into stone. Sealed granite does not mean you can't stain it.
Technically almost any granite can stain due to its physical characteristics. Most industry providers would say that lighter colored granites would stain easier than darker ones. The more accurate way to look at it is, the lighter the stone the more likely you will see a stain, (similar to white carpet versus brown carpet). On average darker stones do tend to be more dense than lighter ones, but it's the actual mineral make up that determines the porosity of the stone. Sealers do not fill pits, fissures or any other natural inclusionin granite. Once applied anf dried it leave no physical characteristics to the feel or coloring of the stone. All countertops are sealed during the fabrication process or at the time of installation. Frequency of sealing depends on the stones mineral make up and products used for daily cleaning. A sign that countertops may need to be re-sealed is when water soaks into stone without beading up first.

Stain remediation
There are products called "poultice" designed to remove most common stains. Typically a poultice is applied, left to dry and then cleaned up. Actual methods can vary with manufactures, so read and follow instruction carefully. Deep stains may require more than one application. Re-seal is necessary anytime a poultice is used.
For any further question please contact us.

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