From In-Portal Developers Guide

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

The following items of commercial granite folklore have already been taken completely from customer comments and questions, pieces circulating online, and discussions with countless homeowners who graced me using the opportunity to service their commercial granite. For entertainment, I'll provide you with a little background on each, where they came from, and exactly how they were started. In the event you haven't heard a few of these before, you will be prepared once they eventually make their way 'round for you!

You should be aware I prefer the word "commercial granite" throughout this article. This is because we have been referring to 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 chosen Perpetrator) Said My Granite Doesn't Require Sealing - People that have read these work are most likely sick of me harping for this, however (unfortunately) hear this place more others. It does not take most damaging of all granite maintenance malpractices you can commit in the event you count on this unsound advice.

Interestingly, a few couple of Internet "experts" who semi-endorse this fallacy (but will sell you their impregnator in case you ABSOLUTELY, REALLY require having one, and theirs lasts FOREVER... Hilarious!). One even goes as far as to convey that this physical properties of granite dictate it never must be sealed (funny, there is also a "lifetime" sealer available for sale two paragraphs later).

I became in recently in Los Angeles, visiting a property owner who had stains in approximately 1/3 with the 305 commercial granite counters they recently installed in their newly renovated luxury apartments. I wish I possibly could have brought the naysayers beside me so they really could convince the distraught maintenance folks that those oil and wine stains were only figments of the imagination...

From the contractor perspective, back in the bad old days, impregnators were based mostly on silicone derivatives. While fantastic against water, these folks were (and so are) poor performers against oil-based stains. Additionally, should they were over-applied, the impregnator residues on top from the stone would also absorb oil. Double whammy. Here's the logic: Should it be a given that oil stains will be the worst to remove, and if the impregnator won't stop them anyway, why bother? That's inside the late '80s - this is 2007, so we have technology that will stop oil staining dead rolling around in its tracks. Like all misinformation, it has a little root in reality, plus it dies slowly.

The Internet folks have different motivations. Either these are:

A: promoting 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 Said My Granite Isn't Safe Since it Harbors and Grows High Numbers of Bacteria - That one continues to be circulating even though it has been confirmed false numerous times by both government and industry organizations. Please allow me the ability to set the record straight with this one, forever - it's absolute rubbish. Actually, properly maintained commercial granite surfaces are one of the most sanitary you should buy. As with other food prep surfaces, commercial granite must be properly cleaned.

It really is widely held the manufacturers of man-made counter top materials started these rumors, although no solid proof exists. In summary, The nation's Institute for Occupational Protection has given commercial granite a clear bill of health, as gets the Cdc (CDC).

3.) Someone Told Me My Granite Emits Radon Gas and it is Radioactive - Somewhat bent science goes a long way... Minuscule quantities of radon gas are emitted by nearly any sort of stone found where uranium is present, and trace levels of uranium is found nearly anyplace you find stone. Important thing? There are no health or safety risks associated with the relieve radon gas or radioactivity from commercial granite.

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

4.) I Was Told to completely clean My Granite With Water and soap - This includes a handful of variants floating around, including specifically using dish detergent (as well as a special brand, I may add) or plain water. Will carrying this out harm your commercial granite? No, it won't. Can it impact operate looks? Yes, it'll.

If you were to wash your windows with plain "soap and water" (or dish detergent, or plain water) and a sponge, I be certain that you'll not enjoy a their appearance.

Being mindful of this, it is advisable to perform routine cleaning of your respective commercial granite having a product that is specifically made to be used on stone. Using soap, dishwashing detergent, or non stone-specific cleaners will leave your commercial granite looking dull and lifeless.

5.) Somebody Explained the Shine Will Disappear My Granite, and it'll Require Re-Polishing - Unless you are playing roller hockey on your own commercial granite surfaces, it really is highly unlikely you simply must have them re-polished. I have seen very isolated instances (them all http://www.battagliaimports.com on very dark "granite") the location where the surface actually deteriorated under normal use and required re-polishing. In fact, these stones were suspect to start with, because it was unlikely that they can met a 5.5 rating (the minimum hardness allowed) on Mohs's Scale of Hardness. Quality commercial granite, properly maintained, won't permanently lose its shine for a, long, time - even under heavy (but considerate) use.

If your granite continues to be waxed, then a "shiny" will disappear, and you may should re-wax them. Waxing of commercial granite is usually A bad idea, so it only if your surfaces were previously waxed to deliver their final gloss.

Most shine and reflectivity loss is brought on by the application of improper cleaning chemicals, improper cleaning methods, or both. Because i mentioned earlier, should you prefer a type of what soapy water do today to the look off your commercial granite, just wash your windows with (add your chosen "soap" here), water plus a sponge. "Soap and water" leave residues around the stone that may eventually dull the tip.

Fortunately that dulling from surface residue is just not permanent. It is usually removed by using a high alkaline content cleaner suitable for natural stone. Now and again, calcification (vitamins and minerals from evaporated water) will dull surface areas, especially around faucets and fixtures. These deposits are often quickly, easily, and safely removed.

I additionally recommend the weekly (or without notice to) utilization of "vanity" products to boost the gloss and enhance the general appearance of the commercial granite. These products supply the additional important things about reducing water spotting and fingerprints on polished surfaces.

6.) Practices & Products

At the conclusion of the afternoon, everything amounts to this:

- Maintain your commercial granite properly impregnated (sealed). - Clean up spills and contamination on time. - Avoid the use of sharp implements on your commercial granite. - Tend not to place extremely hot items on the granite. - Use quality products, specifically made for commercial granite.