Granite countertops add a beautiful finish to any home. Granite is durable and doesn’t easily scratch or burn. However, as with any natural stone, wear and tear will occur over time. Daily use in the kitchen can cause chips, stains, cracks, or loss of lustre. No matter the damage, it is always cheaper to restore and refinish, rather than replace granite countertops.
Depending on the level of use and quality of maintenance, granite countertops can usually last anywhere from 10-15 years before needing a replacement. With the proper care, you can extend the lifetime of your granite! The following are some tips for regular care and maintenance.
Regular care and maintenance
Daily cleaning your granite counters with warm water and mild soap will help keep the seal in tact and maintain the stone’s lustre. Alternatively, a PH-neutral cleaner also works well.
Resealing your granite countertops, depends on wear and tear. In general, consider a quick, spot-specific resealing once per month, and an entire surface resealing once every year. We also recommend professionally resealing your countertops every 2-4 years to extend their lifetime. Lighter-coloured stones tend to be more porous than darker one, and may need to be resealed more often.
When exactly is the right time to reseal? Sealants keep any liquids from seeping into your stone’s surface. The easiest way to test whether resealing is required is to drop a few water droplets on your countertop. Wait 5-10 minutes, and observe if the surface dissolved the water. If the droplets have seeped into the granite, it’s time to reseal.
For resealing countertops yourself, we recommend using the 314P Premium Silicone Sealer; the highest quality in stain protection. Make sure to clean the area thoroughly before use. Allow the sealant to dry fully and follow instructions. The entire process can take you less than one hour.
Restoration and refinishing granite countertops will remove stains, scratches, and etch marks and restore the lustre of dulling granite countertops. We recommend leaving this to the professionals as there are a number of options to pursue; depending on what kind of restoration and refinishing your granite countertops need — chip filling, grinding and restoration, polishing or honing?
This is delicate skilled work. Chips and cracks in granite countertops are filled with mixed epoxy compounds, then ground and polished to restore the lustre and hide the damaged area. Refinishing involves sanding the granite, sealing with silicon-based impregnators, and then polishing. Polishing is a process where a high-quality granite polishing compound and buffing pad brings the granite countertop restoration to a beautiful finish.
Smaller polishing jobs are sometimes something you can do yourself with the right products, but it is VERY DIFFICULT to polish granite without the proper equipment and technical know-how. It’s always a good idea to consult and use a professional for the restoration of significant scratches, stains, and cracks on granite countertops.
When is it time to replace granite countertop?
Granite countertops should last you at least 10-15 years if maintained well. While you can take steps daily to prolong the life of your granite; some professional help is needed to restore and refinish in order to ensure your granite surfaces last as long as possible. If the counters are still not to your desired look, it may be time to replace them entirely. Wear and tear from lack of consistent maintenance is usually what spells the end for a granite countertop.
By caring for, restoring and refinishing, you can prolong the life of your granite countertops and maintaining their beauty. The cost of restoration and refinishing is always less than replacement. Consult with some of our professionals at The Marble Clinic for your natural stone needs, leave us a comment or contact us.
When my fiance and I moved into a new home, we noticed that our counter tops were not very well maintained by the last owner. We are thinking that it may be a good idea to get a granite and marble restoration service. This would be great since they could fill any cracks and sand everything back into its original look.
You mentioned that it is suggested doing a spot-specific resealing once a month, and a full surface resealing once a year. Is there a specific product out there that is better then another. I have noticed that the seal is wearing out, and I would hate for it to cause future problems. Would it be best to call in a professional the first time, and they can show me what I need to do?
Hi Shaylee,
The best sealer for granite countertops is one that penetrates the surface, rather than sits on top; any topical coating will cause discoloration. Try 314p as the regular sealer.
I like what you said about cleaning your granite countertops on a daily basis to keep them in good shape. My sister has been telling me about how she wants to get some new countertops installed in the coming weeks. I’ll share this information with her so that she can look into her options for keeping them clean.