22195 Fisher Hollow Road
Damascus, VA 24236
(276) 475-5774
fax (276) 475-6568
Granite transforms every day bathrooms and kitchens into
one-of-a-kind elegant spaces with timeless beauty. The wide varieties of
colors make granite extremely versatile, allowing it to blend easily with many
different cabinet options and other building materials.
Durability
Granite provides lifelong durability that will continue to
shine brilliantly throughout the life of the house.
Granite is fade, stain, scratch, and burn resistant and will
not harbor bacteria.
Value
Granite countertops will never need to be replaced because
of their amazing durability. When you consider the initial investment,
the easy maintenance, and the durability of the product, the cost of granite is
reasonable. Granite also enhances the value and resale value of your
home.
Depending on color choice, edge detail, and other options
chosen, granite countertops are comfortably priced in a range from 10% lower to
10% higher than other solid surface materials.
Easy Maintenance
Granite retains its natural beauty and is easier to maintain
than most other solid surfaces. Plan-it Granite Cleaner is recommended for
cleaning countertops, however for daily cleaning, polished granite is easily
cleaned with mild, non-abrasive, pH balanced soap and water. Plan-it
Granite and Marble also recommends sealing and polishing your stone countertop
on a regular basis. Plan-it Sealant and Plan-it Polish are available for
purchase at Plan-it Granite and Marble.
Things
to Keep in Mind When Choosing Granite
Granite
is a beautiful stone that is functional and durable. However, it is
important to keep in mind that the stone is all natural so patterns (veining)
and color may vary.
Granite
also contains natural pits and fissures although it varies from stone to
stone. These pits and fissures can be filled with a special
product.
Seams on
large countertops are necessary and unavoidable. Seams are generally
1/16” to 1/8” wide and are filled with a moisture proof silicone caulk.
Incorporating a seam near sinks and cook tops is a good idea because it
minimizes the amount of seam that is seen. Our sales associates will help
you choose the best places for your seams.
Most of the cutting and polishing
of your stone will happen at our shop, however for larger jobs some fabrication
may have to be completed in your home.
What is granite?
Granite is coarse or medium grain igneous rock with an
abundance of quartz and feldspar. Granite is the most generally available
plutonic rock of the Earth's crust.
Granite develops by the cooling of magma (silicate melt) at
depth.
Why
choose granite for your countertops?
Granite is the most durable substance for counter tops.
Unlike laminates and solid-surface materials, granite easily resists scratches,
flames, and heat. Because of its timeless elegance and endurance,
granite will increase the value and satisfaction of your home.
Where
else in my home can I use granite?
Because of its functional durability, granite is ideal for
worktops, islands, bar tops and dining tables.
Granite has a hardness that is second only to a diamond,
which gives this substance its unmatched durability.
Is granite
a challenge to take care of?
Not at all. In fact, granite is the simplest of all
countertop surfaces to keep clean. Warm, soapy water and a soft cloth is all
the cleaning power you will need. Granite is difficult to stain if it has been
treated with a good quality sealant at the time of installation. To maintain
the effectiveness of the sealant, you should be sure to re-seal your granite
about every ten years.
Is
granite comparable in price to other materials?
Most granites are less expensive than comparable
manufactured products when factoring in granite's longevity. Moreover, granite
offers natural beauty and color variety unmatched by synthetic products.
What
should I know before choosing granite?
It is recommended that cutting boards be used when slicing
bread, meats, or vegetables to protect your knifes from becoming dull.
1.
Natural stone and grout should
be sealed with Stone Guard or Aquapel to help prevent staining.
2.
When cleaning the stone, always
use clean rayon mops, sponge mops, towels, or rags.
3.
Make sure to use a fresh
cleaning product
4.
Make sure to remove any loose
debris from surface of the stone to help prevent scratching.
5.
If a spill occurs, clean it
immediately to prevent staining.
6.
Always use coasters under
drinks to help prevent glass rings.
7.
If there is an obvious stain
in the stone, it can be removed with a SCI stain removing powder.
8.
Keep entranceways and mats
swept and clean to prevent scratching.
9.
When mopping stone, change the
water often because dirty water will stain the surface.
10. Be sure to keep stone floor surfaces
dusted.
Caring
for your Stone Installation
The natural stone your have purchased for your
home or office is an investment that will give you many years of beautiful
services. Stone is a natural product and simple care and maintenance will keep
it looking beautiful. Here are some recommendations for routine care and
cleaning.
Precautions
·
Use coasters under all glasses, particularly those containing
alcohol or citrus juices. Many common foods and drinks contain acids that will
etch or dull the stone surface
·
Do not place hot items directly on the stone surface. Use trivets
or mats under hot dishes and placemats under china, ceramics, silver or other
objects that can scratch the surface.
Cleaning Procedures & Recommendations
Floor Surfaces
Dust mop interior floors frequently using a clean
non-treated dry dust mop. Sand dirt and grit do the most damage to natural
stone surfaces due to their abrasiveness. Mats or area rugs inside and outside
an entrance will help to minimize the sand, dirt and grit that will scratch the
stone floor. Be sure that the underside of the mat or rug is a non-slip surface.
Normally, it will take a person about eight steps on a floor surface to remove
sand or dirt from the bottom of their shoes. Do not use vacuum cleaners that
are worn. The metal or plastic attachments or the wheels may scratch the
surface.
Other Surfaces
Clean stone surfaces with a few drops of neutral
cleaner, stone soap (available at hardware stores or from your stone dealer) or
a mild liquid dishwashing detergent and warm water. Use a clean rag mop on
floors and a soft cloth for other surfaces for best results. Too much cleaner
or soap may leave a film and cause streaks. Do not use products that contain
lemon, vinegar or other acids on marble or limestone. Rinse the surface
thoroughly after washing with the soap solution and dry with a soft cloth. Change
the rinse water frequently. Do not use scouring powders or creams; these
products contain abrasives that may scratch the surface.
Bath and Other Wet Areas
In the bath or other wet areas, using a squeegee after
each use can minimize soap scum. To remove soap scum, use a non-acidic soap
scum remover or a solution of ammonia and water (about 1/2 cup ammonia to a
gallon of water). Frequent or over-use of an ammonia solution may eventually
dull the surface of the stone.
Vanity Top Surfaces
Vanity tops may need to have a penetrating sealer
applied. Check with your installer for recommendations. A good quality marble
wax or non-yellowing automobile paste wax can be applied to minimize water
spotting.
Food Preparation Areas
In food preparation areas, the stone may need to
have a penetrating sealer applied. Check with your installer for
recommendations. If a sealer is applied, be sure that it is non-toxic and safe
for use on food preparation surfaces. If there are questions, check with the
sealer manufacturer.
Outdoor Pool & Patio Areas
In outdoor pool, patio or hot tub areas, flush
with clear water and use a mild bleach solution to remove algae or moss.
Do's and Don'ts
·
Do dust mop floors frequently
·
Do clean surfaces with mild detergent or stone soap
·
Do thoroughly rinse and dry the surface after washing
·
Do blot up spills immediately
·
Do protect floor surfaces with non-slip mats or area rugs and
countertop surfaces with coasters, trivets or placemats
·
Don't use vinegar, lemon juice or other cleaners containing acids
on marble, limestone, travertine or onyx surfaces
·
Don't use cleaners that contain acid such as bathroom cleaners,
grout cleaners or tub & tile cleaners
·
Don't use abrasive cleaners such as dry cleansers or soft cleansers
·
Don't mix bleach and ammonia; this combination creates a toxic and
lethal gas
Call your professional stone supplier, installer
or restoration specialist for problems that appear too difficult to treat.
Most commonly asked questions about care and cleaning of natural stone.
·
Question: Should the natural stone we have selected for our home
or workspace be sealed?
·
Answer: Yes, all natural stone should be sealed. This includes granite, marble,
limestone, sandstone, slate, travertine, and onyx
·
Question: What should stone be sealed with?
·
Answer: There are basically two kinds of sealers. Impregnating
sealers are absorbed, leaving an invisible barrier of silicone in the pores of
the material making it difficult to stain. Stone Protect made by Stone Medic is
easy to apply and is a high quality impregnator. Color enhancing sealer can be
used on textured stones (i.e. slate, tumbled stone, sandstone, etc.). The
enhancer will deepen the color of the material, making it look wet but with a
matte finish. SIM Enhancer is easy to apply and maintain.
·
Question: How is sealer applied?
·
Answer: Application is simple, when using Impregnators, a white cotton
cloth or lambs wool applicator should be moistened with the sealer and wiped
evenly over the surface. Streaks or puddles are an indication that the product
is too heavy and should be spread over a larger area. SIM Color Enhancer is
best applied with a disposable paintbrush to allow proper coverage over the
textured surface. For best results, two coats should be applied (three on
limestone) and spaced ten minutes apart. After the final application, the
entire area should be buffed with a clean dry cloth to remove any excess
product from the surface.
·
Question: What cleaning product should be used on natural stone?
·
Answer: Stone Soap (manufactured by Stone Medic) is the best general
purpose cleaner available. It is a liquid concentrate and can be used to damp
mop a floor or spray and wipe a counter top or wall.
·
Question: How often should sealer be reapplied?
·
Answer: Stone Protect will provide about four years protection if stone
soap is the only cleaning product used.
The Marble Institute of America offers a brochure that includes information on treating spills and stains on natural stone surfaces. For a copy, please send $1.00US along with a self-addressed, stamped business size envelope (37 cents) to the Marble Institute of America, 28901 Clemens Road, Suite 100, Cleveland, Ohio 44145 USA.