[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Granite is often considered to be the “king of countertops”; one of the hardest and heaviest natural stones available, granite has established itself as a crossroads of beauty, durability, and affordability that no other stone can match. It’s not an exaggeration to say that a set of granite countertops can last for several lifetimes without seeing any maintenance, but that doesn’t mean that they’ll look brand-new after even one year of regular use without proper upkeep. Whether you own granite countertops or you’re interested in owning them down the road, this guide covers the highlights of granite maintenance and repair so that your countertops can continue to look like they did on installation day, for years to come.

Cleaning Your Counters

Cleaning your granite countertops is an easy, low-intensity process, but there are some points that you should be aware of before you break out the cleaning pad.

• Granite is incredibly resistant to etching, or physical damage caused to a countertop by acidic substances that are allowed to set for extended periods; with that being said, it’s still important for you to clean up acidic substances like wine or juice quickly after a spill to prevent damage to the sealant coat and possible staining.
• Never use an abrasive cleaning pad on a granite countertop; a soft cloth or sponge is all that’s necessary to clean your counters without damaging them in the process. Specialty countertop cleaner or hot water can both be used to clean up messes; don’t use soap, as it will leave behind a dull, unpleasant film on your countertops.
• While granite is highly resistant to heat, it’s still advisable to use trivets with pots and pans; like other natural stones, granite can experience “thermal shock” when exposed to high temperatures in a concentrated spot, which causes cracking.

Combatting Wear and Tear

Maintaining granite countertops is actually a very easy process, and most standard maintenance processes can be performed by a homeowner with inexpensive supplies.

• It’s very difficult to scratch granite, even with sharpened knives; that being said, it’s not impossible to do, and cutting directly on granite will damage your knives very quickly. We recommend the use of a cutting board on any natural stone surface.
• A good, high-grade stone sealant will go a long way to protect your granite from wear; at AA Marble & Granite, we seal every one of our stones before installation, and reapplying a sealant annually is a quick process that you can do yourself.
• Minor damage to your granite countertops can be repaired by the homeowner with a do-it-yourself kit; more extensive damage can be repaired by a specialist in-house. Granite is also easy to professionally refurbish, so no amount of damage will necessitate having it torn out and thrown away.

Stopping Stains and Reversing Dulling

Because granite is porous, your countertops may begin to absorb stains or dull as the sealant coat experiences wear; hundreds of remedies exist online for stained granite, but very few of them work as advertised. Here are a few time-proven tips from a professional that are guaranteed to help you keep your granite is top condition.

• Before you get into the details of granite stain removal, it’s important to know that different types of granite handle liquids different ways. Generally, darker granites are less porous than light granites, and also hide stains better; if you have white or gray granite countertops, then it’s especially important that you’re vigilant when it comes to regular sealant application.
• Contrary to what you might have heard, there’s no catch-all approach to granite countertop stain removal; the first step to take is to figure out exactly what caused the stain. Once you know what you’re up against, it shouldn’t be hard to find a specialized poultice or product to help you get the stain out.
• The dulling of your granite countertops is the result of a damaged or unmaintained sealant coat; assuming that your countertops hasn’t suffered any damage due to the lack of a strong coat of sealant, resealing granite is a simple process that you can perform in under an hour.

It’s important to remember that while your granite countertops are made of some of the strongest stone on the market, they’re not immune to wear and tear. Whether you’re shopping around for countertops in Norcross, or you need help bringing life back to granite already in your home, the professionals at AA Marble & Granite are more than happy to help. To get in touch with us and schedule your complimentary countertop design consultation, call us at (770) 872-4066, email us at info@andrewsassociates.net, or fill out our Quick Contact Form to get started.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]