Updated at: 05-07-2022 - By: cnbusinessnews

It’s not difficult to learn how to repair granite that has been damaged by water. This is a popular choice for floors, countertops, and other surfaces that need to be both smooth and beautiful. With its simple yet exquisite coarse-grained pattern, granite elevates whatever space it’s used in.

Water stains can emerge on the surface, despite the material’s longevity and clean appearance. To your relief, there are numerous methods and techniques that you can use to bring it back.

What Are Granite Countertops?

The name “granite” says it all: these surfaces are made entirely of granite. Nothing artificial has been added to them. Large blocks of granite are extracted from quarries throughout the world and then cut into sheets and shaped to match your kitchen. Granite countertops have both advantages and disadvantages.

Pros

  • Granite countertops are more resistant to heat and scratch damage than almost any other countertop material, making them ideal for kitchens and bathrooms. Also, they’ll endure longer than most.
  • When it comes time to put your property on the market, you may expect to get back around a quarter of the cost of your granite countertops.
  • Granite is as natural a product as one can find, apart from the necessary post-installation sealing treatments.
  • Since there is no other granite countertop that is exactly like yours, you will never have to worry about it being stolen.

Cons

  • Cost: High-quality building materials are rarely inexpensive. Certainly granite countertops are no exception.
  • It is important to seal granite countertops every year to prevent them from becoming stained. This can also assist to reduce the growth of bacteria in the environment.
  • Professional installation is required in all but the simplest and most straightforward of installations.
  • Repair alternatives are few and far between. Granite is extremely hard to break. However, if it is seriously damaged, repairs may be prohibitively expensive, time consuming, or even impossible. Professionals are frequently called in for repairs.

Cost

Granite is a high-end countertop, and as such, it has a premium price tag. Installing new countertops can cost anywhere from $80 to $180 per square foot, which means a significant amount of your remodeling budget will go toward them.

How to Remove Water Stains From Granite? - Eagle Stones Granite & Marble

As far as costs go, you can’t argue with granite countertops. True cost prices may be difficult to estimate when taking into account their high resale value and long lifespan, as well as their sumptuous beauty and prestige.

It’s important to keep in mind that the price of a product or service might change dramatically in a short period of time. A large number of granite countertops come from far-flung locations. Granite’s price might be affected in unforeseen ways by market conditions in various nations at the same time.

Maintenance and Care

Granite countertops require minimum upkeep, but it isn’t zero. It’s fairly resistant to discoloration from daily use. For this reason, every year, the tops of the containers need to be coated in an easily accessible sealing substance. In order to avoid irreversible damage to the granite’s beauty due to deep stains, this protection is necessary.

Besides that, the hard surface of granite is resistant to chipping and scratching, so no additional care is needed. To maintain it looking its best, all that is required is a simple daily wipe down with mild soap and water. To prevent surface browning or etching, avoid using strong cleansers.

If your granite counters do get chipped, a specific epoxy resin in a similar hue can typically be used to restore them. When in doubt, consult with a professional. Using professional granite countertop cleaners, some stains can also be removed. Repairing large fractures and chips, on the other hand, can be difficult, if not impossible.

Design Options

Granite is abundant in our world. As we speak, it’s churning out more. A broad variety of colors and designs are available for countertop use as a result of this fact. In terms of color and pattern, some granite tops are more modest while others are vibrant, bold, and busy.

It’s best to buy granite countertops rather than make them yourself. An understatement would be to suggest there are numerous options. If you want to find the perfect sample, be prepared to look at a lot of them. It doesn’t matter what you choose; it will be unique.

Installation

With a pre-cut vanity top in your bathroom, you may be able to install it yourself if that is all you are doing. Unless you’re doing a simple DIY installation at home, you’ll need a professional. Granite counters are tough to install because of their weight and mass. They necessitate accurate cutting and seam-sealing with the use of specialized instruments. Installation professionals have undergone many hours of training to be able to achieve the best results possible.

Lifespan

A well-cared-for granite counter can last a lifetime with proper maintenance. Experts believe that a 100-year lifespan is possible. Probably even more time. It’s inevitable that a lack of care will have a negative impact on a product’s lifespan. Granite countertops are expected to last far longer than the time you’ll be living in your home.

Top Brands

The business you employ to cut and install your granite countertops normally buys them for you. Brand names of granite suppliers offer nothing to the average consumer when compared to the reputation and product choices of the installation. There are a large number of installers who work inside a specific geographic area. There are three well-known granite suppliers: Daltile, AGM Imports, and Leventina.

How Does Water Damage Look On Granite

Water stains are the most common kind of water damage on granite. Stains can be difficult to remove, especially when they’ve sunk into the surface and are difficult to remove. Given that granite sits on the countertop, other liquids, such as cooking oils, juices, wine, and more, can also cause stains.

Your Guide To Granite Countertop Cleaning and Maintenance — Stonelink Marble & Granite

A sealant can be applied to the surface to prevent water from penetrating the material’s pores, but if the sealer is applied incorrectly, moisture can still get in.

Hazing is another type of granite deterioration, in which the material’s surface takes on a cloudy or hazy appearance. Using the improper cleaning chemicals is the most common source of this problem, but a good cleaner can repair it.

How To Restore Water Damaged Granite

When it comes to water damage on granite, it’s difficult, if not impossible, to get it all out. Here are a few things you may do at home to get rid of the stain and prevent it from occuring again.

What you’ll need to get started:

  • Gentle dish soap
  • Towels made of microfiber
  • Sponge
  • Soda phosphate
  • peroxide of hydrogen
  • Bowl
  • Spoon
  • Wrap in plastic
  • This is a stone polisher.
  • Sealant for Granite

Tip #1. Keep the granite dry

Using granite in areas where water is present, like the kitchen and bathroom, makes it nearly impossible to keep it dry. However, frequent granite cleaning can help you avoid costly water damage repairs.

Use a clean sponge and light soap to accomplish this. After that, use a microfiber towel to clean the surface.

Remove any soap residue from the granite before using it on a daily basis. An off-white stain or sheen can be left behind by the residue.

Stains are more difficult to remove if they are left in place for a long time or if they dry on the surface. Make sure to wipe and dry any spills or splashes on granite counters and walls as soon as possible.

Tip #2. Use a stone cleaner

Because granite is a natural stone, using stone cleansers is an excellent method to maintain it looking its best. While the sealant is protected from scratches, the stone is left with a brilliant finish thanks to the unique formulation of this solvent.

Tip #3. Make a paste

To remove a water stain from a granite surface that has hardened, a more powerful cleaner would be needed. However, abrasive cleaners should not be used, as they can exacerbate the problem. Here’s how you can make a paste:

To begin, mix one part water with one part baking soda to form a paste.

2. Apply the paste and scrub gently with a soft-bristled brush on the troubled area.

Step 3: Clean the area by rinsing with water and drying with a clean cloth.

Tip #4. Use a poultice

The most common application for a poultice is to reduce swelling and inflammation in the body, although it can also be used externally. Stores and supermarkets have a variety of stone-care poultices that are readily available for purchase. As an alternative, you can simply use the ingredients you already have in your pantry and cupboards to produce your own concoctions.

Here are the steps of cleaning granite using a poultice:

Tie one part baking soda to three parts hydrogen peroxide in a bowl and stir well.

This is step #2. Concentrate the paste/poultice on the afflicted surfaces and water spots.

Next, wrap the poultice with plastic wrap and let it on for up to 24 hours before removing it. Poultices are more effective if they are covered.

Remove the paste by wiping it away with a moist towel. In order to remove the remaining water spots, repeat the process as necessary with a soft bristled brush. Do not forget to thoroughly dry the area.

Tip #5. Use a razor blade

To avoid damaging the sealant, you should only use this procedure to remove stubborn water stains. Remove the stains by scraping them off the surface. Avoid harming the granite surface by using only slight movements during sanding.

How To Protect Granite From Water Damage

It’s difficult to keep your granite dry, so it’s best to find techniques to guard it against water damage. Sealing is a simple process that doesn’t necessitate the services of a professional. It prevents water and other liquids from penetrating the surface and causing haze and discoloration by filling in the stone’s pores.

In order to establish the suggested resealing interval, you must first know the type of granite stone in your home. Only once a year should a granite countertop be resealed.

FAQs

Can damaged granite be repaired?

Pieces of granite can be chipped off if they are hit by heavy objects. If you see a large chip, save it and contact a specialist to fix it. After they reattach it, they will be able to smooth down the rough edges from where the chip came loose. For smaller chips, repair kits are available to fix the issue with epoxy.

How long does it take for granite to dry out?

There are times when hefty objects can cause granite to chip. Unless the chip is little, save it and have an expert repair it. Repairing the chip and smoothing down the edges will be possible. For smaller chips, repair kits are available to address the issue with epoxy.

How do you bring granite back to life?

Granite can be chipped if it is struck by heavy objects. Call an expert to repair a large chip if it has broken off. After they reattach it, they will be able to smooth down the rough edges left by the chip’s separation. Repair kits are available for tiny chips that can be fixed with epoxy.

Does vinegar ruin granite?

Using vinegar, Windex, or bleach on a regular basis will wear down the sealant and dull the granite. Granite can be scratched by abrasive pads, so be careful.

How do you restore granite to original color?

How to Remove the Spots: Using a fresh white rag, dab a small amount of baby oil over the affected area. Rub it over the lighter area (or a portion thereof). Stone Color Enhancer can be used to permanently darken the counter if you like the effect of the oil. To begin, make sure the area is free of dust, trash, and other buildup.

How do you know if granite needs to be resealed?

Is it necessary to seal my granite? The water should be left on the counter for around 10-15 minutes. Using a dry cloth, remove any remaining water. Is the stone becoming darker? If your counters appear to have darkened, you may want to seal them. It is sealed if the stone’s color hasn’t changed.

Does sealer darken granite?

In fact, a normal impregnating granite sealer such as these recommended marble & granite sealers should not darken or modify the color of the granite countertop at all, even if water absorbs or is applied immediately afterward.

Can you dry granite with a hair dryer?

For wet stones, wait for them to completely dry before trying the hair dryer trick, or use it to see if the area gets lighter. Precaution: Granite, in particular, should not be subjected to excessive heat, since this could cause the crystals to expand and spall or break.

Can you put too much sealer on granite?

For wet stones, wait for them to completely dry before trying the hair dryer trick, or use it to see if the area gets lighter. Precaution: Granite, in particular, should not be subjected to excessive heat, since this could cause the crystals to expand and spall or break.

Will granite dry out?

It’s possible that the streaky-hazy residue is the result of the sealer being improperly allowed to cure on the granite countertops’ surface. Remove all extra sealer and residue from the granite countertop surface prior to applying sealer on the granite countertop.

How to Remove Water Stains From Granite | HowStuffWorks

How much does it cost to resurface granite?

Polishing and sealing granite resurfaces can cost anywhere from $200 to $1,200, depending on the degree of damage and the scope of the work required. DIY granite epoxy resin repair kits can be purchased for $35 to $100 and can be used to repair tiny chips and cracks.

Can you recolor granite countertops?

You can, but you’ll need to plan ahead of time for your painting job. With the right primer, paint, and sealer, you can liven up any area in your house, including bathrooms and kitchens, by painting granite countertops, backsplashes, fireplace surrounds, coffee bars, and more.

Conclusion

Water-damaged granite can be repaired in a variety of ways, from countertops to floors to walls. In order to keep the attractiveness of this material, seal it at least once a year with the right product. As long as you know how to care for it, it’s not a difficult fixture to keep.