Any Granite experts here? Need advice.

[Paper Roses]

Prior to moving into their new house, the seller, per agreement, had installed new granite counter tops. My daughter, who never had granite before, chose the granite and an independent contractor did the work. The work itself is beautiful but he left no instructions about care.

The move was two days ago. I was there to check off the items as they were removed in from the truck. No problems in that regard. Humbolt movers did a great job! Especially at 95 degrees.

What did happen several times during the very hot day was upsetting.

I placed my glass of water or others left cold drinks on the counter for a few minutes. When we picked them up again, there were condensation marks on the granite. Seems to me that this should not happen, even thought the marks rubbed out and dried. What would ever happen in something greasy was placed on the surface?

I am wondering if there should be some kind of a sealer on the surface and if so, was this done?


Is granite a material that should be sealed? Is this a constant problem? The family will not be here until next week and I told them I'd try and find some answers. They will go to the installer armed with some information if you can relay your experiences.

The color is a light, mottled grey/green.

Thanks for any advice.

PR

[Stinky The Clown]

1. The granite *must* be sealed

Granite *will* stain.

Fortunately, sealing it is easy and quite cheap. Go to any big box home improvement store, or better yet a tile specialty store, and get some sealer made for natural stone and apply per directions.

Plan to reseal in 6 months, and then annually after that (every 6 months if you're especially a careful person).

[Warpy]

2. I'd suggest the every six months application if the kitchen is used for cooking

Granite is fairly porous and will collect food particles and those food particles will grow bugs if you're not meticulous about keeping it well sealed.

Here's how: http://www.wikihow.com/Seal-Granite-Countertops

This is why, plus everything you ever needed to know about sealers: http://www.askthebuilder.com/664_Granite_Sealer.shtml

[Wash. state Desk Jet]

3. Great link Warpy !

It seems to me they may want to contact the installer or the place of manufacture/the supplier about sealing. Here we buy the granite in slabs that come direct from the quarry. you buy a slab or half slab so on. you go direct to the fabrication shop to see how it's done. And at the show room their people fill you in on just what you are getting . Literature on maintaining your counter tops comes with the deal .That is always the first question.
Also they do the install,as a contractor I prepare the new or existing cabinets to except the material. I also set up the deal between the client and the manufacturer.

Now it seems to me the contractor will have sealed the granite if it were necessary or left instructions. Or that could be a over site. And of course the quality of the material and how it was fabricated in the shop is the determining factor. Granite shines because it is buffed out.

I would contact the contractor and find out just where he got those counter tops. Than call that place and find out just what you got . Do those two things before you do anything. If the contractor is good, he will bring you the how to maintain your counter top literature direct from the manufacturer.Unless of course it is China granite. If thats the case there may not be any literature. Seriously though, granite is granite.It is by the way customary for the manufacturer to supply what will appear to be cutting boards made out of the excess material. There is where you put pans and hot cups and so fourth. Personally I have never had to go back to a project to seal granite if that tells you anything. Not even the tops on each side of the stove actually a gas stove in one location.

Great link Warpy. !

[Paper Roses]

5. My daughter bought 3 huge sheets of marble from a huge

selection offered by one company. It was delivered, then installed by another.
It looks great but the issue of sealing still bothers her. She contracted the installer(grumpy old man!) and he told her it was sealed. None of us believes it. My granddaughter placed a glass of milk on the counter for a few minutes and now there is a half circle mark from either a dribble or from condensation and it will not wipe out. They feel they cannot use the counter now for fear of further marks, Everything is done at the kitchen table. What a pain.

She has bought a seal-it-yourself product and will be doing it soon. There is a lot of surface to cover and since this stuff costs so much, she is understandably nervous.

I forwarded this thread to her and she thanks you all for your comments.

[MajorChode]

4. Do NOT use most household cleaning products on granite

Most household cleaning products are either acid or alkaline. You should use a PH neutral cleaner always to prevent etching. You may wish to invest in an ozone water generator like this one:
http://www.amazon.com/Tersano-lotus-LBU100-Sanitizing-System/dp/B000P9MC2K/

Ozone water is a very effective cleaner and it is a great antiseptic. After half an hour or so, the water reverts back to just plain old tap water. You can also use the above ozone generator for fruits and vegetables. It has an antiseptic effect and it neutralizes any pesticides still present, and it's one of the most safe and effective means to do so.

Some granite sealers work longer than others. As they can be very expensive, it's best to just follow the manufacturers' recommendations regarding application frequency. Also remember that a sealer won't prevent a stain, it just slows it down. So clean up spills ASAP even if your granite is well sealed.