Although granite countertops are incredibly durable and tough, they are not entirely impervious to damage as several things can destroy them. These things include:

Stains

Granite is highly resistant to stains, but when you allow oils, wine, and fruit juice to penetrate the stone, they leave stains. For you to keep the countertops looking great, you need to get rid of the stains as soon as possible.

If your countertops have oil stains, you can easily lift them using a homemade paste made from baking soda and acetone. If the countertops are having organic stains, you can remove them by soaking a paper towel in bleach, then placing it on the affected area.

For you to reduce the chances of the stains coming about, seal the countertops with high-quality granite sealer. The sealer prevents the liquids from getting into the countertops. For ideal results, apply the sealer when you install the countertops then once a year after that.

Even if the countertops are sealed, they will develop stains if you allow the stains to sit on the countertops for a long time. To prevent this from happening, wipe up the spills as soon as they happen.

Trauma

When you hit the countertops, the impact from the heavy object can cause the countertops to chip. In most cases, the impact damage comes about around the sink or at the edges of the countertops. How you repair the damage depends on the color of the countertops.

If the chips are visible from the countertops, you should go ahead and repair them, but if the damage isn’t visible, you don’t have to worry about repairing it.

For you to prevent the damage from coming about in the first place, be cautious when lifting heavy objects above the countertops.

Etching

The etching is a chemical reaction that results when granite is exposed to an acid such as vinegar, soda, ammonia, fruit juice, and wine. If you have never seen etching, it’s a dulling of the countertop surfaces that looks like a stain.

For you to prevent etching, seal, and polish the countertops. This is to provide the countertops with a guard against etching. You also should avoid using common household cleaning products on the countertops.

Just like when preventing stains from coming about, wipe the spills as soon as they happen.

Heat damage

Granite is heat resistant, but the countertops can still get damaged by pans and hot pots. The reason why the countertops get damaged by heat is because the sealant and finish on granite aren’t as heat resistant as the stone itself.

This means that when you repeatedly place hot items on the countertops, they leave black marks that give the surfaces an ugly look.

For you to keep the countertops looking great, avoid placing hot pots and pans directly on the countertops. To be safe, use trivets or hot pads all the time.

Cracks

It’s extremely difficult for granite to crack during normal use. Most of the cracks result from the stress that comes about during handling, fabrication, and installation of the surfaces. You can also crack the surfaces by standing on them.

Some homeowners have also reported cracks when they place extremely hot objects on the surfaces.

Cracks give the countertops a cheap look; therefore, you should replace them as soon as they happen.

For you to prevent the cracks from coming about, ensure experienced granite installers Rockville install your countertops.

Hazing

A cloudy or hazy appearance of the countertops isn’t due to damage, but as a result of using the wrong cleaning products. When you use abrasive or acidic products, they eat into the countertop surfaces, leaving a film behind.

For you to prevent hazing, clean the countertops regularly. When cleaning, use a high-quality stone-safe granite cleaner.