Company News Archives - Page 6 of 43 - Granite Craft Direct UK

How to Remove Stains from Stone Worktops

One of the most devastating things that can happen to your beautiful stone worktops is for the surface to become stained. There are a number of foods and beverages that can stain stone surfaces. Some more easily than others. If, despite all your efforts, you notice a stain on your worktops, here are some tips to remove it. Stains versus etching Before you begin the process of removing any stains, make sure that it is indeed a stain and not something else. Stains will always appear darker than the stone surface whereas other types of damage (i.e. etching) will appear lighter. So, if the area is lighter in colour than the surrounding worktop area, it’s not a stain. Removing the stain The most popular DIY approach to stain removal is known as the poulticing method. This method makes use of an absorbent substance that is mixed with a chemical. The

Marble or Granite

When it comes to natural stone worktops and other products, there have been cases where marble was sold as granite. Misidentifying the type of stone means that the end user will have certain expectations that will not necessarily be fulfilled. These two stones might look somewhat similar at a glance but they are vastly different when it comes to their porosity and acid sensitivity. Acid sensitivity and porosity Acidic substances like lemon juice react with the calcium carbonate found in marble. This results in etch damage. There are varying degrees of etching that can occur. The more severe the damage, the rougher the affected surface will feel. Granite, however, is not as sensitive to acidic substance. While you should still always clean up spills right away, these worktops will not prove as prone to etching. As for porosity, marble is not usually as porous as granite. Granite, therefore, will absorb

How to Get Rid of Water Rings on Stone Surfaces

The simple act of not using a coaster can result in water rings. Of course, no matter how careful we are at first, we tend to neglect our stone worktops after several months or years. When you have water rings on your worktops, they might not always be perfectly visible. However, when the light strikes your worktops just right, they are clear as day. Water rings are formed by chemical surface damage known as etching. While this sounds quite harsh, the good news is that there are ways to remedy this problem. How to remove water rings If you are lucky and the etching has not yet penetrated too deep, you might be able to restore your worktops yourself. A good way of testing the depth of the etching is by simply running your finger across the surface. If the etched area feels smooth just like the rest of the

How to Disinfect your Natural Stone Worktops

Given the increased concern regarding disinfecting surfaces, it’s important to remember that it’s not merely a matter of spraying a particular solution on the surface and all is well. If you want to keep your natural worktops safe, clean and prevent damage, here are some steps to follow: Wash with soap Soap and warm water should be used first to remove surface and stubborn dirt. While you want to wash your worktops thoroughly, you do not want to scrub them. You should also not use abrasives since they will damage your worktops. Soap is effective in creating a slippery surface which also makes it difficult for germs to maintain their hold on the surface. In other words, just like larger dirt particles, soap makes germs slip around so that they can be rinsed away. Rinse thoroughly Make sure that you rinse the surface thoroughly with clean, warm water. As you

The Effect of Alkaline Substances on Natural Stone

If you have natural stone worktops or you are considering installing them, then it’s important to understand their strengths and weaknesses. While many people think of acidic substances as harmful, alkaline substances can also cause damage. Here’s what you need to know about alkaline substances and your stone worktops. Alkaline Substances Cause Etching Acid substances like vinegar and tomatoes are known to cause damage to natural stone and they can even stain these surfaces. Alkaline substances can also cause damage in the form of etching. This is why it is so important to take care when preparing food and whenever you clean your worktops. What is Etching Damage? Etching is caused due to a chemical reaction between the substance and the surface. Think about a drinking glass that has just been washed in your dishwasher but it has a persistent white spot that will not go away. This is an

The Effect of Alkaline Substances on Natural Stone

If you have natural stone worktops or you are considering installing them, then it’s important to understand their strengths and weaknesses. While many people think of acidic substances as harmful, alkaline substances can also cause damage. Here’s what you need to know about alkaline substances and your stone worktops. Alkaline substances cause etching Acid substances like vinegar and tomatoes are known to cause damage to natural stone and they can even stain these surfaces. Alkaline substances can also cause damage in the form of etching. This is why it is so important to take care when preparing food and whenever you clean your worktops. What is etching damage? Etching is caused due to a chemical reaction between the substance and the surface. Think about a drinking glass that has just been washed in your dishwasher but it has a persistent white spot that will not go away. This is an

Cracks versus Fissures in Natural Stone

When you take a look at your stone worktops and you notice something that looks like a crack, it can come as quite a shock. Before you panic, it’s important to understand the difference between cracks and fissures. By knowing what you’re looking at, you will better understand the measures that you need to take in order to remedy the situation. The difference Fissures occur naturally due to environmental and geological forces. Cracks, on the other hand, occur from man-made stress such as transport or even during the installation process. While they might look the same at a glance, there are some visual and tactile differences too. Appearance Fissures have a long yet narrow appearance and they occur along the boundaries of crystalline structures in the stone surface. There is a visual separation that can sometimes go all the way through the stone. They are rarely straight and they often

Restore Stone to Improve Property Value

You may already know that natural stone surfaces can help increase the value of your home. This is mostly due to the fact that stone is durable and it has a gorgeous timeless look. Of course, no matter how tough your stone, certain factors can cause damage over time. When this occurs, it’s good to remember that you don’t necessarily have to replace your worktops. Looks Brand New The first benefit of restoring stone worktops is that you will enjoy the look of new surfaces without having to go through the more costly and time-consuming renovation process. Depending on how badly the worktops are damaged, you might be better off having a professional perform the restoration. Removing scratches and etching requires special tools. Enjoy your Home More When your home looks its best, you will feel so much happier and you will enjoy entertaining guests too. Increasing the value of

Do Granite Worktops Release Radon?

When you ask any granite expert about the risk of radon, they will usually provide you with the simple answer. In easy terms, the answer is that quartz and granite worktops do release some amounts of radon gas but the amounts are so small that they are not of any consequence. What is Radon? Radon is a radioactive gas that is produced by the breakdown of Uranium-238 and Thorium-234. This gas can have serious health repercussions if it is inhaled. However, it is important to remember that this is a gas and, therefore, there are a number of ways in which you can prevent such health risks. Radon in UK homes In many cases, homes throughout the UK and Europe already have moderate levels of radon. Radon is more commonly found in areas like basements that are surrounded or built upon natural granite. The large quantity of this rock and

Can Chipped Granite be Repaired?

It can happen to anyone and many homeowners are devastated when they notice something as significant as chipped granite worktops. The good news is that it’s not the end of the world. You do not need to have your worktops replaced and you certainly do not have to live with that unsightly chipped surface. Chips usually occur on the edge of the worktop which might make it tricky for someone without experience to repair. However, a professional can restore your worktops to their once beautiful state without it costing you an arm and a leg. First things first, the area needs to be cleared because you need room to work. So, make sure that there’s nothing that will get in your way. Secondly, you need to clean the surface and the area around the chip to make sure that there’s no dirt or debris that could impede the repair process.

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