While pitting is typically due to changes in the stone's composite during polishing, it can also be caused by improper care and maintenance of the stone over time.
Natural stone countertops like granite and marble often come with “pits” on the surface. These small imperfections are the result of the stone's porous texture, and sometimes, they cannot be avoided. Even after tedious polishing and finishing, some pitting still remains no matter what.
"Pitting" occurs because of the crystalline composition of granite. As granite was formed and cooled deep beneath the earth's surface small empty pockets developed between the various mineral crystals in the stone. Over time these voids were filled with softer minerals.
Is a Rough Granite Countertop Surface Normal? If grit is present on your granite countertop, it is likely due to poor quality granite – an issue which cannot be solved readily without countertop replacement. In some instances, grout particles may flake off from newly grouted backsplash, although this is less common.
The most common method for repairing cracks and chips in granite countertops is to fill them in with epoxy, acrylic, or other kind of colorless resin or adhesive. You can easily find products designed to make these kinds of repair online, and they are quite affordable.
Can they be fixed? The short answer is yes, most pitting can be filled with epoxy. However, very shallow pitting may not be able to be filled properly as there is not enough surface area for the epoxy to adhere.
Before applying a new coat of sealant, take the "water test." Take 1/4 cup of water and pour it on the countertops. If the water stays "beaded" on top, your counters should not need sealant. However, if the water appears to seep into the surface or you notice a dark spot, you should seal the granite.
Fissures are elongated but extremely narrow openings along the boundaries of crystalline structures in the stone. The visible separation usually remains within the depth of the stone, although it sometimes can go entirely through. Fissures often appear in more than one place on the slab and are rarely straight.
Unsealed granite counters are susceptible to stains from food, drinks, and other spills. Since granite is porous, is can quickly absorb food and liquids, which is then hard to get up. Sealing your countertops is the best way to avoid stains like this.
Typically, granite should be resealed every 12 to 18 months. Nevertheless, there are some other factors that come into play when determining how often to reseal granite countertops. For example, a lighter colored granite will need to be resealed more often because it is typically more porous.
Gritty or sandy granite is usually just a slab that was not well-formed geologically and the grains are constantly coming loose. Finishing / polishing the slab does not magically hold the grains in place. It just smoothes the surface. The only potential solution to this is to apply a permanent topical coating.
This natural stone is extremely hard and durable and it definitely can't be stained easily. That's not to say granite can't be stained at all. Granite can still suffer from water stains, so we're going to discuss how to remove it. Under some circumstances water stains, or worse, hard water stains can happen.
This means liquids have a very difficult time penetrating its surface. Now, is granite 100% water-resistant? The answer is no. Water can seep through the surface over time.
Simple water stains typically occur from condensation and be easily wiped away with a microfiber cloth; hard water stains on granite are more nefarious — they contain minerals like calcium, magnesium, and other elements that can react with soap and mar your countertop over time.
Another way to tell if you have a crack or fissure is by looking at the stone from a low angle, a crack will have two points of reflection whereas a fissure will have one. Fissures are naturally occurring in stone and help to add character to your countertop, considering this, nothing should be done about them.
Small pores and pits in granite are a natural flaw. But some granite products may be more porous. In cheaper granites, deeper pits are common and they can be filled with sealants.
A fissure is natural while a crack occurs from an outside force such as fabrication, transpiration, or installation. A test to determine the difference is to look at the crack or fissure from a low angle. A crack has two points of reflection while a fissure has only one.
Clorox and Lysol sprays and wipes are convenient, but they are not safe for granite countertops. They rarely contain bleach, but they do generally contain citric acid to help remove soap scum. Avoid using bleach as well.
It is like any other natural material. Wood has its grain, and stone has its pores. Fortunately, it's easy to seal a granite countertop. It takes just a few minutes and requires little more than a granite sealer and a clean pad.
The answer is yes, you can permanently seal your granite and that will give you a completely maintenance-free countertop.
Buy a polishing powder designed for natural stone countertops. You'll generally have to mix the powder with water to form a paste. Then “polish” problem areas with a soft cloth. Some products require you to leave the paste on overnight (mostly for stain removal).
A: If you want to fix this yourself, you should pry out all the loose filler, then refill with two-part epoxy tinted to match the stone as closely as possible. Tape along both sides of the seam first so the epoxy doesn't smear over the stone surface.
Q: Why does my quartz countertop have tiny holes? A: Quartz surface is not glass smooth, and may have minor pitting – spaces between the various mineral crystals. These pits are not structural defects and are a naturally occurring result of the formation of the quartz particles.