The kitchen is known as the “heart” of the home. With so much life happening in this space, however, your kitchen countertops are bound to experience wear and tear. The good news is that you can prevent damage, like countertop chipping, if you provide your countertops with the proper care. Read on to discover some ways to keep your countertops in tip-top shape.
IS GRANITE INDESTRUCTIBLE?
Although granite is highly durable, it is not indestructible. Just like in nature, the edges of rocks are more susceptible to damage. Scratches, cracks and even chips can happen if the countertop is not maintained correctly and with quality materials. However, with proper cleaning, sealing and a few tips from our countertop experts, your granite countertops will provide you with years of making memories with your family!
HOW CAN I PREVENT COUNTERTOP CHIPPING AND OTHER DAMAGE?
Prevention is the key to giving your countertops a long, beautiful life. Prevention involves regular cleaning and sealing your countertops. Just remember, all countertops do not require sealing. For instance, soapstone does not require sealing, but granite does. So if you have granite countertops and notice marks in the sealer coat, they will need resealing to help protect them against countertop chipping and other types of damage. You can easily do this at home, or our team would be happy to do it for you! Check out some tips here on resealing your countertops from Bad Lizard Co-owner, Johnnie Rominger.
We also encourage you to keep in mind that abrasive cleaners can also severely damage your natural stone countertops. Some harsh cleaners to avoid are Windex, acidic cleaners (vinegar, lemon, lime), cleaners with ammonia and bleach. Instead, our team recommends using hot to warm water with gentle dish soap and a microfiber cloth to clean your countertops for daily cleaning. If you desire a more robust disinfectant option, combine distilled water and alcohol in a 50/50 mixture. Spray on the countertop, let sit for five minutes, then dry until clean.
HOW CAN I KEEP MY COUNTERTOPS IN GOOD CONDITION?
Reminding your family and friends of some basic etiquette when interacting with your countertops will help to extend its life. Temperature changes, chemicals, meal preparation, weight and other factors should be discussed to maximize the durability of your natural stone countertops.
Check out these tips to help keep your countertops in good condition:
- Avoid allowing acidic products to sit on the countertop for long periods (lemon juice, vinegar, etc.)
- Do not slam heavy pots down on countertops
- Do not slide cutting boards and dishes across countertops
- Avoid extreme temperatures when sitting items on countertop
- Use trivets whenever possible to protect surfaces
- Do not chop directly on the countertop during food preparation
- Be mindful of how edges are used (limit leaning or climbing)
DO YOU HAVE A CHIP IN YOUR COUNTERTOP? CONTACT THE COUNTERTOP EXPERTS: BAD LIZARD GRANITE & QUARTZ
If your countertop gets chipped, do not fear! While you may find information online showing you how to fix your countertops, our team at Bad Lizard & Quartz can walk you through the process. Most chips can simply be filled with an ultraviolet reactive resin. These resins can be purchased easily online. For more difficult chips (or even breaks), we may have to send a tech out to do a more professional fix. Give us a call and send us some pictures and we’ll discuss your options.
If you have any questions about repairing or maintaining your countertops, or you would like to learn more about replacing your countertops, please do not hesitate to give us a call at 304-472-6483 or email us at info@badlizard.com. To provide quality assistance to our clients and eliminate wait times, please keep in mind that all clients must schedule an appointment before visiting our facility.