granite hat ™ Services
Description of the most common issues and projects of natural and engineered stone countertops.
Slide < left and right > arrows to see before and after pictures of the projects we have successfully completed.
Chips and nicks
The most common type of damage to natural stone countertops as well as engineered stone are chips at edges and corners. Just the right amount of force and angle can easily chip away from small to larger size chunk of material.
Cracks and fractures
Cracks are also a common type of damage to countertops. Cracks can occur by physical forces such as large about of pressure to affected area, temperature differentiation between hot and cold or simply uneven installation of the countertop where one side is pulling on the other causing stress fractures.
Fallen undermout sink remounting
Most of the the time due to older way of sink installation such as various epoxies and glues or absence of the proprietary mounting clips kitchen as well as bathroom sinks tend to unexpectedly separate from countertop falling into sink opening.*
Etching on surface
Natural stone such as granite, marble and travertine as well as manmade solid surface like quartz, Silestone® and HanStone® are susceptible to various degrees of etching mostly caused by different chemicals or natural foods. Cleaning supplies and citrus based foods are the most common cause for surface etching.
Upgrading sink
New kitchen styles and people expectations are here but older homes most of the time have smaller sinks. Depending on the available space of counter and cabinets it is possible to remove, modify sink opening to fit and install new and larger style kitchen as well as bathroom sinks.
Separated seams
Most common location of seams in countertops are by the sink, by the cooktop and at the L shape where countertop makes a turn along the wall. With time epoxy deteriorates by loosing its adhesive power letting two countertop pieces come apart. It is considered normal wear and tear.
We encourage you to ask how we repair your countertop project.
Every damage to countertop has a proper way of repair. The most important are proprietary tools and experience. Secondly, even if it is the same issue like a chip or a crack there still many ways to approach it. Finally, we are ready to educate you about the essentials on your specific case. Go ahead and send us pictures of the project and we will let you know the estimate and how we will repair it.
Sealing
Sealing is highly recommended extra layer of protection for some natural stone. The denser natural stone the less it is absorbent as a result requiring less maintenance. Some granite does not need sealing at all and will last a lifetime without sealing. Solid surface material such as quartz and Silestone® are not porous; therefore, sealing should not be applied.
Cleaning
Natural stone like granite and marble as well as solid surface such as quartz tend to get dirty overtime. This happens as a result of the natural pores collecting food grime and dust in natural stone. In the case of engineered stone and type of finish it has the more three dimensional patterns present throughout the surface the more likelihood of dirt being stuck in the micro creases.
Modifications
After granite, marble, quartz or similar countertops are fabricated and installed time to time homeowners’ vision change. Depending on the set up it is a possibility to modify existing countertop by cutting, trimming, polishing to a new shape. Depending on the set up it is a possibility to modify existing countertop by cutting, trimming, polishing to a new shape to accommodate new style and look of countertop.
Scratch repairs
Natural stone like granite, marble, travertine as well as engenders stone such as quartz, Silestone® and others are not scratch proof. It takes very little effort to scratch the surface. The scratches might not be visible at first but over time the wear and ear will show either as prominent scratches or cloudy areas.
Cooktop and range opening adjustment
New appliances such as cooktop, slide in stoves and ranges are larger in size and won’t fit into existing opening. Depending on the set up it is a possibility to adjust the opening by cutting and trimming countertop to accommodate new appliance.
Natural fissures
Natural stone fissures by definition are collection of different minerals within the stone that solidified during formation of the stone. Most of the time natural stone fissures look like cracks as well as feel like cracks when felt with hand. Fissures are purely aesthetic and represent no fault in stone. Some homeowners love the natural features of stone some want it visually improve it.
Solid surface defects
During the manufacturing process of engineered solid surface countertops such as quartz, Silestone® and HanStone® some visual defects are possible in the form of trapped specks of dust and other dark and mismatched materials. Depending on the size and other aspects of the defect it is possible to remove the defect and replaced it with color matching specialty fill specifically designed for these repairs.
Silicon and Caulk replacement
Countertops are installed against backsplash and in between there is a color matched silicon or caulk depending on the set up. As it is a wear and rear item with time this seal tends to either crack, get contaminated with dirt or both. In either case this this part needs to get removed and replaced with a new color matched product such as silicon or caulk for a new and fresh look of the kitchen. Details matter so check the condition of the seal.
Hole drilling in granite and quartz countertops
If you are adding reverse osmosis faucet filtration system, hot water dispenser, air switch for garbage disposal or simply changing the arrangement of kitchen or bathroom faucets it is possible to add extra holes by drilling existing countertop utilizing specialty tools and technician experience.
granite hat ™ formally provides one year warranty on labor from the date of performed service.
*granite hat ™ does not provide plumbing services; therefore, homeowner and/or representative must arrange and pay for plumbing specialist to finish the plumbing set up.