Will bacteria grow on granite?
Bacteria, like any other living organism, needs something to eat in order to live. Bacteria cannot eat granite. Unclean, unkempt countertops can harbor bacteria regardless of what countertop material is used. Granite has performed extremely well in testing; performing second only to stainless steel in its ability to resist bacterial growth.

How do I care for my granite countertop?
For everyday use, clean your countertops with a ph balanced cleaner such as Lustro Italiano and a cloth towel. To check if you need to seal your granite, put a small amount of water on the countertop in a space that it will not be disturbed. Let it sit for 15 minutes. If the water is absorbed, you need to re-seal your granite countertops.

What is the difference between “cast stone” and natural stone?
Cast stone is made up of finely ground stone mixed with resins or cement-based products, then poured into a mold to create either a slab of cast stone or to create sinks, mantels, etc. Natural stone is strictly cut from the earth then cut and polished in its original, natural form.

Are engineered quartz surfaces natural?
Marketers contend that quartz surfaces contain 93% quartz. However, this number is calculated by mass, not volume. Therefore the true ratio of quartz is approximately 67 - 73%. It is also important to note that “quartz” refers not only to natural quartz but glass and mirror particles as well.

Is granite more expensive than man-made materials?
It depends on the granite. Availability, color, and country of origin are major factors that affect the price of granite. If the supply of a particular stone is short and demand for it is high, the price will reflect that. Given that stone is a natural product imported from all over the world, the price spectrum is wide. However, many granite colors are offered at the same price and more often less than man-made products.

What is a “pit”? Will I have them in my countertops?
Most granite has some degree of pitting, whether microscopic or visible to the naked eye. With todays advanced processing, the natural pitting or tiny craters in granite are greatly reduced. These natural pits pose no maintenance or wear issues. The depth of these pits is virtually immeasurable.

Are veins weak spots in the stone?
Not necessarily. Some veins are strictly color variations in the stone. However in some materials natural flaws can exist within the vein, which enhances the color and is characteristic of that stone. Structurally, with today’s processing, these materials do meet the strength requirements for countertop use.

How often do my granite countertops need to be re-sealed?
We recommend that you re-seal your countertops once a year to maintain maximum protection.

Is it difficult to re-seal my granite countertops?
The process can seem daunting but it is relatively simple. Making sure you use the correct sealer for your countertop is important. Contact your local NSRA member or inquire online at www.nsraweb.com

Can I hire www.countertop-repair.com? to re-seal my countertops?
Absolutely. Call or contact us today for a free estimate. Be prepared to provide: 1) square footage of countertops, 2) job location, 3) stone color & type, 4) original date of install.

I heard that Quartz Surfacing products won’t stain and that Natural Stone will. Can you clarify?
No surface is stainproof. Be very careful with anything acidic, oily, red wines, fruit juices or food coloring. These items will also stain laminate, Corona® and other solid surface brands, as well as Silestone® and other quartz countertops. Rest assured most stains can be removed.

Will the polish on my countertops wear off over time?
That depends on whether you have granite or marble. Granite, with normal wear and tear will not lose its polish. Most things that could scratch granite are typically not found in the kitchen. Marble, on the other hand, is a calcite which will react with acidic liquids, etching the polish. Proper sealing and maintenance is more crucial with marble countertops.

What is “Antiqued” Granite?
Instead of the normal process of polishing granite, the polishing bricks are replaced with abrasive brushes which leave a satin textured finish.

Help! I have a stain in my granite!
Many stains can be removed from your granite countertops. You can purchase poultice products designed to remove a variety of stains from yourdomain.com. It is important that you follow the directions exactly as they are written on the package. You can also call or contact us today and we will give you a free estimate to remove the stain(s) for you.

Can granite crack or chip?
Yes, granite can crack or chip. However this is usually caused by severe settling, excessive impact or abuse. Most minor cracks or chipping in natural stone can be repaired by a stone restoration specialist .

What do I do if my countertop chips?
Most chips are repairable in granite and quartz surfacing countertops. If you happen to get a chip, save the pieces and contact us for a service consultation. A stone restoration specialist will come out and repair the chipped area using the pieces you saved. Many times, after the repair is complete, you can’t tell a chip ever happened.

Does granite scratch easily? Can I cut directly on my granite top?
In order to scratch granite you would need to use something as hard as it or harder. While cutting on your granite top won’t scratch the surface, it will dull your knife. Because of this we recommend always using a cutting board. Should a scratch occur, it can be repaired without resurfacing the entire area. In the event of a scratch, contact us and we’ll send out a stone restoration specialist.