How To Test Your Sealer

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Most people don’t know how a sealer works and with so many opinions flying around the internet, it’s hard to know what to do.
Not to worry! A couple simple tests will tell you what kind of stone you have, how to clean and care for it and if sealing granite countertops is necessary.
Determine Your Stone Type and
Sealing Requirements

Performing The Lemon Juice and Oil Test will tell you both how absorbent your stone is and what type of stone you have: Specifically, is it a silicate-based stone (granite) or a calcite-based stone (marble, travertine and limestone)… or possibly a mix of silicate/calcite.
Why is this important?
It will help you choose the best stone for it’s intended use and/or help determine the characteristics of the stone you have say… if you just purchased a home and don’t really know.

Granite is the stone of choice for use in the kitchen where all kinds of substances will come in contact with the countertop.
Some granites are more absorbent than others (not good) and some “granite” is actually mixed with calcite (like marble) and the surface will corrode or “etch” when exposed to acids like lemon juice, coffee, alcohol, salad dressing, etc. (not good).

Etching has nothing at all to do with sealing granite countertops or marble or travertine. Sealing will not prevent this.
It is a chemical reaction between the acid and the calcite that physically alters the stone, which is especially noticeable on polished surfaces.

All marble, travertine and limestone will etch and most are also prone to staining, which is why these stones are typically not recommended in the kitchen… unless you are willing to let them age naturally… spots and all.
But some of these stones are very dense and won’t absorb a thing or stain at all, especially when polished, which helps decrease absorption rates for any stone.

You want a stone that won’t do either (won’t etch or stain) for the kitchen. That’s granite.
So, this test is most useful to determine the best granite for your kitchen, wet bar or heavily used bathroom were lots of potions and lotions could be a problem.

NOTE: Perform this test on samples chipped off the exact slab you are considering for installation.

Also, this test could damage the surface polish of calcite-based stones, so if you are trying to determine the nature of a stone already installed, perform this test in an inconspicuous spot (in a corner or a spot that is always covered by an appliance, etc.)
Perform The Lemon Juice and Oil Test

Line up all your samples in row.
Drip enough lemon juice to form a dime-sized puddle on the first sample.
Do the same with vegetable/olive oil.
Look at the surface of the stone through the puddles and note the time.
If you see the surface under the puddles darken right away, this stone is very absorbent and should NOT be used in the kitchen.
If the stone does darken, but it takes 4 or 5 minutes, then applying a granite sealer will make this stone manageable in the kitchen… it’ll be reasonably stain resistant.
If the stone never darkens or it takes 30 minutes or more, then you have a winner that really doesn’t even need sealing.
Wipe the sample clean and look at the spot where the lemon juice was… is it dull compared to the shiny polish on the rest of the sample or did you notice the lemon juice fizzing/bubbling when on the surface? If so, it contains calcite and should not be used in the kitchen.
Perform the same test procedure on each of your samples.
The Water Drop Test

If all you are trying to determine is whether sealing granite countertops or any other stone is necessary, you can perform the “Lemon Juice and Oil Test” using water. The reason for the lemon juice is to determine if your stone can handle contact with acidic substances. Of course, if it can’t you don’t want it in the kitchen… and the oil is very noticeable if absorbed.
So, drip a puddle of water on your countertop, note the time and observe.

If the puddle darkens quickly, then sealing granite countertops is required… annually for 3 years is not a bad idea and be quick about wiping up spills.

If it takes 3 or 4 minutes to darken… again a good impregnator/sealer should be applied, but re-sealing every 3-5 years should be fine (possibly longer… re-test when the time comes) and stains won’t be a big issue unless something sits for a few hours.

If the puddle doesn’t darken, then you have a bullet proof stone that is next to impossible to stain. Sealing granite countertops in this category is really not necessary, but for most people a coat of sealer just adds peace of mind.
Client “peace of mind” is the primary reason many/most professionals recommend applying granite sealer when in doubt or even if it really isn’t needed. It’s a fairly easy procedure and not expensive, so why not in most instances.
For most granites, applying a sealer even when not needed won’t present a problem….

However, some dark granites (especially blacks and greens) are very dense and if a sealer is applied, it just sits on the top and can noticeably dull the appearance. If this happens, the sealer must be stripped and possibly the surface re-polished… an expensive pain.

If you have a dark, dense granite and need convincing, let a drop of oil sit on your sample overnight. Wipe it off. No spot? You will never stain this countertop.

If you notice a stain, wash it with a little soap and hot water and dry it. Stain gone? Your tops are essentially impervious to stains, but they will probably take one coat of sealer without issue.
Personally, I wouldn’t bother in this case since the sealer is improving the stain resistance so minimally that it’s not worth even the small chore and expense of sealing.

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By Jason Gluckman

Home remodelers and builders have experienced a boom in the demand for granite countertops in kitchens and bathrooms. The beauty and warmth of granite makes it an ideal material for aesthetic appeal in home design, and the durability and easy care of granite countertops keeps them a favorite for homeowners who are looking into the future. Though adding granite countertops to any kitchen can be quite costly, they remain the premiere choice in upscale homes, as they retain their value better than most other improvements.
Granite, like marble and other popular stones, are as old as the earth. Granite is found all over the world. As a preferred material, granite was used in the construction of temples and other public buildings in ancient societies. In the recent past many builders continued to use granite for pillars and exterior finishes. Stone suppliers didn’t begin experimenting with polished granite until 1831. The preference for polished granite began in 1851, when a finished piece of granite was displayed in London at The Great Exhibition of the Industry of all Nations.

Granite makes an excellent medium for countertops, as it is the most durable of all stones. The hardness of granite is rivaled only by the hardness of diamonds. The durability and versatility of granite countertops makes it a favorite of professional and home chefs. Granite can withstand the placement of a hot pot and serves as an excellent surface for handling doughs and confectionery. The natural beauty of granite countertops complement any tone of wood or style of cabinetry, from French country to sleek modern styles. Granite is an attractive stone that adds color and warmth to any room.

Granite Countertops Have Become Popular
A popular choice of designers for decades, granite countertops have now become popular with the public. There are literately hundreds of colors of granite, from variations of white through browns, reds, greens, blues, and black. Brown and beige tones are the most popular, as they work well with most any kitchen color scheme, allowing greater flexibility in redecorating over the years. Some of the granite colors exhibit ‘movement’ or a design within the natural color. Movement from large patterns can carry the eye quickly over the surface of the countertop, while small patterns have a more sedate appearance. The combination of color and movement means that no two countertops are exactly the same.
While granite countertops are a favorite choice due to their beauty and durability, they are not impervious to damage. Regular care includes proper cleaning and the use of sealers to prevent staining. Although granite is quite hard, it can be easily be chipped. A skilled professional can perform repairs that are nearly invisible.
Cost & Maintenance
Granite countertops can cost more than other countertop materials, with prices starting at $60 a square foot installed. The majority of the cost is not in the stone, but in the quarry work, cutting, transportation, polishing and installations. It is not recommended that the do-it-yourself homeowner to take on this project. Despite the strength of granite, the oversized slab sheets must be precisely cut to fit the counters, and are very delicate when transported. Special care must be taken to reinforce the base cabinets, and the slab must be set perfectly level. Failure to properly set a granite countertop could cause it to break during regular use.

When a homeowner desires the utility of granite countertops, but is unable or unwilling to pay a premium, discounted granite for countertops may be a good option. Retailers maintain groupings or tiers of stone based on popularity of color and movement. Lower tiered cuts of stone maintain the consistent characteristics granite is known for, but the shade of a color may vary according to current fashion trends.

Granite Lasts a Lifetime

Granite countertops will continue to remain a favorite of homeowners, architects and interior designers. The ageless beauty and durability of granite makes it a home improvement treasure to last a lifetime.

MAKE YOUR NATURAL STONE SURFACES LOOK NEW AGAIN.

Is your countertop surface damaged or showing its age? Don’t replace it – repair it! We have restored countertops, sinks, tub surrounds, service bars, and many other surfaces damaged by:
• Cracks
• Chips
• Stains
• Scratches
• Dullness from long term wear.

WHY Choose A NSRA Member?
We understand that your kitchen, bath and work surfaces represent a significant investment in your home or business. We know that you want the repairs to be made quickly and professionally with minimal disruption and mess.

• Specially Trained Techs
Our members specialize in restoring, repairing, and refinishing a wide range of natural stone surfaces, including Granite, Natural Marble, Travertine and many other natural stone products from all over the world. The natural stone restoration specialists of the NSRA are highly trained and experienced.

• State-of-the-Art Equipment
NSRA members are kept up to date on the latest restoration techniques, the use state-of-the-art tools and use the finest materials for repairs.

• Timely Response
We will follow up on your service requests within 24 hours, provide you with realistic estimates and schedules, and make every effort to work quickly and efficiently. We make the extra effort to be timely and customer-friendly.

When you choose NSRA member you can be confident that the technicians will be neat, courteous, professional, and fully qualified to do the job. It is our mission for you to be delighted with our work and our service. We strive to ensure that you are so satisfied with our restoration work that you will recommend us to others for their natural stone repairs.

We also offer scheduled maintenance programs that keep your Natural stone surfaces looking like new.

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.

Natural stone such as marble and granite offer warmth and style to a home, and may even increase the resale value. It is undeniably attractive and won’t break the bank. Many people choose natural stone over other man made materials because it is easy to find the right colors to match the other furnishings in your kitchen, bathroom and floors.

An inexpensive way to get marble counters into your kitchen or bathroom at a decent price is to ask your contractor or kitchen and bath designer if they can find you a deal. They can usually recommend where you can find the best products for a price within your budget. Some people combine marble counter tops with another natural stone counter material such as granite for a unique style to compliment their space.

An alternative to marble or granite as your counter top is soapstone or bluestone. You will still get the prestige of having natural stone counter tops with a more rustic or earthy look.

Cleaning natural stone counter tops is simple. Treat your natural stone with care, using a soft cloth and a ph balanced soap or spray product such as Lustro Italiano. Avoid contact to you counter top with acids such as lemon juice or vinegar because they can etch the shine of the surface almost instantly. Accidents happen, so don’t worry if you etch a natural stone surface. Natural stone restoration specialists such as the professionals of the NSRA can restore your marble, granite as well as many other natural stone to it’s original beauty.

Marble, granite most natural stone can give any home the luxurious feel of living in a lavish mansion. It comes in so many varieties that you are sure to find a style that will compliment the rest of your kitchen or bathroom perfectly.

Kitchen counter tops are one of the most used items in your kitchen. Whether you are preparing the evening meal, storing appliances, or just enjoying that first cup of coffee in the morning, kitchen countertops serve many uses. Aside from multi-uses, kitchen countertops are an important aesthetic element of the kitchen. One of the most popular materials is natural stone. There are a plethora of styles, types, edges and materials for natural stone countertops. Selecting the one that is right for you can prove to be a challenge. An excellent starting point is to research online as well visit your local stone fabricator to determine what style, cost, and material fit your budget.
Granite counter tops are a popular type of natural stone for kitchen counter tops. Even though granite counter tops cost significantly more than the Formica counter tops, granite counter tops are much more durable and scratch resistant than Formica or synthetic materials. Slabs of granite are used for the counter top. They are polished to a variety of finishes from a soft honed finish to a high mirror -like polish and generally available in a variety of edges, such as bull nose, beveled cut, or even chiseled. Granite countertops can offer more variety in the form of looks than compared to a Formica or synthetic material counter top.
Another option for a counter top is the tiled counter top. Similar to tiled floor, it is laid as individual tile and arranged in a number of patterns and color schemes. Installation of this type is more time consuming and difficult than the previously mentioned counter tops. Aside from installation, tiled counter tops can easily show dirt within the grout.
New kitchen counter tops made from natural stone are a great way to make a statement in your kitchen. With a wide range of pricing, materials, finishes, patterns, and more, rest assured you will be able to find a natural stone counter top that is not only functional, but also practical. Be sure to shop around and compare prices when you are looking to make a purchase for a new kitchen counter top. In the end you will not only save money on your purchase, but you will have a new natural stone kitchen counter top to complete your kitchen.

Granite countertops may be costly to implement but they have a certain aesthetic appeal that adds “warmth” to a home. The amazing durability of a pure granite countertop and the ease of maintaining one ensure that there will always be good demand. Factoring in the cost and the returns offered by the durability, it not a surprise to see many upscale homes being furnished with granite countertops.
Granite works very well as a countertop as it is the most durable of stones and its hardness is rivaled only by diamonds. This makes granite an excellent choice for kitchen countertops as it will resist scuffing and scratching when sharp utensils are used to prepare meals. Added to that the stone’s natural ability to withstand high heat and you have a material that is well suited to the kitchen top environment.
In the color spectrum, granite comes in various shades of colors ranging from white to black, brown, red, blue, brown and green. The popular color tones are brown and beige as these colors blend well with most surroundings. Granite countertops also come in many grains ranging from large ones that stand out to small grains that give a more sedate look. Polished granite countertops are also another option where the polishing will give the countertop a shinier look.
Although granite is quite hard, it can be chipped. A professional can be called in to repair a chipped granite countertop. The stone restoration services such as stone restoration specialists of the NSRA provided with today’s technology will ensure that the repair is not noticeable. Being a natural stone also means that the granite countertop can stain. A sealant is applied to the surface of the granite countertop to resist staining. Regular cleaning will help preserve the integrity of the sealant to continue resisting stains. It is a good idea to reapply the sealant after a year to the granite surface to maintain the quality of the countertop.
The granite countertop carries with it an ageless beauty that will last for a long time under proper care – much like a good pair of leather shoes or fine wood antique furniture.

With the advent of most service companies going “green” one of the interesting components of real stone restoration is that most work is done merely with honing\polishing pads made of diamonds embedded in a resin and a little bit of water to keep the slurry or dust down. There are other methods that are utilized in the polishing of marble that are considered to be faster especially among commercial service companies called vitrification that utilize acids and flurosilicates.In the eyes of most true stone restorationists, this not only destroys the stone but is considered a quick fix.For those of us that care in the business,(for the stone, your health and the environment) a true stone restoration professional can fix most problems of a stone surface with nothing more than the tools and water!

Here’s a salute to the NSRA for all the help. I’m happy that I spent the time finding this group of professionals.

There was report circulating that granite countertops are unsafe, harbor bacteria and can produce disease. This is absolutely FALSE, NIOSH and the CDC have no reports of granite or any other stone used as a countertop as being unsafe. These rumors are being circulated by the Solid Surface Industry in an attempt to compete with the stone industry. Think about this for a moment, if stone was unsafe and unsanitary why would there be cutting boards sold made of stone. Why would stone be used in food laboratories. There has been no known proof of any illness caused by using stone as a countertop.

Hydrochem Systems Corp.
129 S. Eldridge Way
Golden, Colorado 80401

THE REDUCTION OF E
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Date: September 1, 1995
To: Marble Institute of America
From: Donald Langmuir, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Geochemistry, Colorado School of Mines, & President, Hydrochem Systems Corp.
Subject: The article ‘Granite and Radon’ published in Solid Surface

I am appalled and dismayed that any journal would accept a pseudo-science article such as this for publication. If this article had been submitted to a reputable scientific journal, the editors and reviewers would have demanded that the author supply scientific evidence to support his/her many unfounded and unsupported assertions and conclusions. Lacking such evidence they would have rejected it for publication. As a separate point, I am very suspicious of a paper that has no named author. Who is responsible for this attack on granite countertops? Is it someone who stands to benefit economically?

Two of the scientific experts who the author (or authors?) cites repeatedly in the bibliography as sources of the arguments have become aware of the ‘Granite and Radon’ paper. They agree with me that the author’s conclusion that a granite countertop could emit a high and dangerous concentration of radon to a home is both totally fallacious and ludicrous. In fact, as you will see below, the amount of radon released from a typical granite countertop is certain to be completely negligible and well below detection by any known method of radioactive analysis. I would be delighted to have a granite countertop in my home!

As to my credentials to evaluate and refute ‘Granite and Radon’, I have been conducting funded university research and publishing in peer reviewed journals on the geochemistry of radioactive elements for nearly 20 years at Penn State University and the Colorado School of Mines. In recognition of this expertise, I was nominated by the National Academy of Sciences and appointed to serve as a member of the U.S. Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board by President Reagan in 1989, and reappointed to that position for a second four-year term by President Bush in 1992.

It is worth noting that the stone industry, whether advertising countertops, building materials or monuments, terms many stones ‘granites’ that are not true granites to a geologist. A true granite, which is often grey or pink, is chiefly comprised of a potassium aluminum silicate mineral (K-feldspar or potassium feldspar) and quartz (silica or SiO2). Rocks called granites by the industry also include magnesium silicates (e.g. peridotites and serpentines) and a host of other chemically different rock-types, most of which contain much less uranium than does true granite.

As admitted by the author of ‘Granite and Radon’, there have been no direct measurements of radon release from granite countertops. Model calculations suggested by Dr. Richard Wanty, using a standard, scientifically accepted approach and conservative assumptions, indicate that the radon release from a granite countertop is orders of magnitude below detection by any known analytical method. Incidentally, Dr. Wanty, who is a geochemist with the U.S. Geological Survey, co-authored or co-edited four of the expert references cited in the author’s bibliography. He has performed research and published on the geochemistry of radioactive elements for sixteen years, and studied radon as apublic health issue since 1986. Dr. Wanty’s worksheet reproduced below may be used to calculate the concentration of radon that would be released from a granite countertop. The worksheet is shown with an example calculation, assuming a ten-foot by seven-foot granite countertop.

The EPA standard, which is not to be exceeded in indoor air, is 4 picoCuries per liter of air (4 pCi/L). Eisenbud 1 indicates that the average contributions of radon from various sources to indoor air are 1.5 pCi/L from the soil (under and around the house), 0.01 pCi/L from public water supplies (0.4 pCi/L) from private wells), 0.05 pCi/L from building materials, and 0.2 pCi/L from outdoor air. These values are for the average house which is ventilated such that over one hour the air is changed 0.5 to 1.5 times. The vanishingly small amount of radon in household air that might be released from a granite countertop (0.00000074 pCi/L) as computed below, has been calculated assuming no exchange of indoor and outdoor air, which would further trivialize its significance. Note also that the radon content of outside air is 270,000 times greater than that released by the countertop.

There are certain properties of rocks that can increase their radon emanation efficiency, or in other words increase the release of radon from a given weight of rock. These are rock properties that maximize the exposure of internal or external rock surfaces to water or air, allowing any radon gas to escape. The author of ‘Granite and Radon’ argues that such properties, which include rock porosity, fissuring and mylonitization, will increase radon releases. This is probably true, however, a granite with such properties would be too brittle to make into a countertop, and too open to take a polish, and so would not be marketable as a countertop - unless the rock pores were first filled with a chemical sealant. Such sealing would also eliminate any possible radon release problems.

In summary, to show how laughable are the concerns expressed in ‘Granite and Radon’, the typical granite countertop in our example will release 7.4 x 10 -7 pCi/L of air. This corresponds to 2.7 x 10 -8 atom decays per second (dps). This represents 0.85 decays per year. In other words, less than one atom of radon is produced by the countertop in one year. This is hardly worth getting excited about. I would suggest that a good way to reduce our exposure to the radon present in outdoor air, would be to build an air-tight house out of granite countertops!
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To provide quality natural stone care, restoration and maintenance through a network of qualified natural stone professionals.