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Granite Tales - Myths, Urban Legends, and Fabrications (Of the Other Kind)

The following bits of commercial granite folklore happen to be taken directly from customer opinions and questions, pieces circulating on the internet, and discussions with a huge selection of homeowners who graced me while using opportunity to service their commercial granite. For celebration, I'll provide you with a little background on each, where they came from, and the way they were given started. If you happen to haven't heard some of these before, you will end up prepared when they eventually make their way 'round to you personally!

Take note I use the definition of "commercial granite" throughout this short article. It is because were discussing stones which are sold commercially as granite, rather than the (very) narrow subset of stones that match the scientific definition.

1.) My Contractor / Granite Salesperson / Internet Guru (Pick Your Favorite Perpetrator) Said My Granite Doesn't Require Sealing - People that have read my previous work are likely sick of me harping on this, but I (unfortunately) hear that one more often than everybody else. Oahu is the most damaging of all granite maintenance malpractices it is possible to commit if you depend upon this unsound advice.  

Interestingly, there is a handful of Internet "experts" who semi-endorse this fallacy (and can sell you their impregnator should you ABSOLUTELY, REALLY insist upon having one, and theirs lasts FOREVER... Hilarious!). One even goes as far as to state the physical properties of granite dictate it never should be sealed (funny, they likewise have a "lifetime" sealer for sale two paragraphs later). 

I became in recently in Chicago, visiting a property manager who had stains in approximately 1/3 from the 305 commercial granite counters they recently installed in their newly renovated luxury apartments. I wish I possibly could have brought the naysayers when camping so that they could convince the distraught maintenance people who those oil and wine stains were only figments of the imagination...

In the contractor perspective, back in the bad days of the past, impregnators were centered on silicone derivatives. While fantastic against water, these were (and they are) poor performers against oil-based stains. Additionally, if they were over-applied, the impregnator residues on top of the stone would also absorb oil. Double whammy. Here's the logic: Whether it's confirmed that oil stains would be the worst to take out, of course, if the impregnator won't stop them anyway, why bother? Which was in the late '80s - that is 2007, so we have technology that may stop oil staining dead in their tracks. Like every misinformation, it provides a little root in fact, plus it dies slowly.

The web everyone has different motivations. Either they may be:

A: trying to sell you granite slabs by disavowing any faults commercial granite has, or

B: using reverse psychology sales techniques (poorly, I would add) to offer you their impregnator.

2.) My Neighbor Told Me My Granite Isn't Safe Since it Harbors and Grows High Amounts of Bacteria - That one remains to be circulating though it is proven false numerous times by both government and industry organizations. Please allow me the opportunity set the record straight about this one, once and for all - it's absolute rubbish. Actually, properly maintained commercial granite surfaces are one of the most sanitary you can buy. Like all other food prep surfaces, commercial granite must be properly cleaned.

It's widely held how the manufacturers of man-made counter materials started these rumors, although no solid proof exists. In summary, The National Institute for Occupational Safety has given commercial granite a clear bill of health, as has got the Centers for disease control (CDC).

3.) Someone Explained My Granite Emits Radon Gas and is also Radioactive - Somewhat bent science goes a long way... Minuscule amounts of radon gas are emitted by nearly any type of stone found where uranium is found, and trace levels of uranium can be found nearly anyplace you discover stone. Important thing? There won't be any health or safety risks associated with the relieve radon gas or radioactivity from commercial granite. 

Goods note, concrete, cement, and gypsum all release as much radon gas than commercial granite, and there's no health risk related to them, either. It is usually belief that a manufacturer of man-made countertop materials started this rumor.

4.) I became Told to wash My Granite With Just Soapy water - This place features a few variants skating, including specifically using dish detergent (and a special brand, I will add) or plain water. Will doing this harm your commercial granite? No, it will not. Does it impact operate looks? Yes, it is going to. 

If you were to wash your windows with plain "soap and water" (or dish detergent,  or plain water) and a sponge, I guarantee that you do not be pleased with the look of them.

Being mindful of this, it is advisable to perform routine cleaning of your commercial granite which has a merchandise that is specifically designed to use on gemstone. Using soap, dishwashing detergent, or non stone-specific cleaners leaves your commercial granite looking dull and lifeless.

5.) Somebody Explained the Shine Will Disappear My Granite, and it'll Require Re-Polishing - If you aren't playing roller hockey on the commercial granite surfaces, it is highly unlikely you will have to have them re-polished. I have come across very isolated instances (them all [http://www.battagliaimports.com battagliaimports] on very dark "granite") the location where the surface actually deteriorated under normal use and required re-polishing. Actually, these stones were suspect to start with, mainly because it was unlikely that they met a 5.5 rating (the minimum hardness allowed) on Mohs's Scale of Hardness. High quality commercial granite, properly maintained, is not going to permanently lose its shine for a, long, time - even under heavy (but considerate) use. 

If the granite continues to be waxed, then the "shiny" will wear off, and you will probably should re-wax them. Waxing of commercial granite is usually A bad idea, techniques it only if the surfaces were previously waxed to supply their final gloss.

Most shine and reflectivity loss is due to the application of improper cleaning chemicals, improper cleaning methods, or both. When i mentioned earlier, should you prefer a type of what soap and water do today to the look of your commercial granite, just wash your windows with (complete your chosen "soap" here), water along with a sponge. "Soap and water" leave residues around the stone which will eventually dull the finish.

The good thing is that dulling from surface residue is not permanent. It can be removed by using a high alkaline content cleaner made for stone. Now and again, calcification (vitamins from evaporated water) will dull surface areas, especially around faucets and fixtures. These deposits are often quickly, easily, and safely removed.

I also recommend the weekly (or anytime to) usage of "vanity" products to boost the gloss and improve the general appearance of the commercial granite. These products give you the additional important things about reducing water spotting and fingerprints on polished surfaces. 

6.) Practices & Products

At the end of the afternoon, all of it boils down to this:

- Maintain your commercial granite properly impregnated (sealed). 
- Tidy up spills and contamination promptly. 
- Avoid the use of sharp implements on your own commercial granite. 
- Don't place extremely hot items on your granite.  
- Use quality products, specifically designed for commercial granite.