If homeowners are lax in their maintenance, the porous granite can suck up oils, juice, and wine, which will be impossible to remove. Bacteria can also harbor inside granite if not sealed properly. As Americans utilize their kitchens more, there are more chances for accidents to happen.
Granite, like any other stone, may contain veins of naturally occurring radioactive elements like uranium, thorium, and their radioactive decay products. These trace concentrations may vary from stone to stone, or even within a single slab of granite.
Reasons to be Cautious about Granite Countertops
Granite is porous. This means that unsealed or poorly sealed counters can absorb wine, juice or oil, producing a stain that might be impossible to remove. A poorly-sealed countertop can also harbor bacteria in its pores.
It is possible for any granite sample to contain varying concentrations of uranium and other naturally occurring radioactive elements. These elements can emit radiation and produce radon gas, a source of alpha and beta particles and gamma rays (see www.epa.gov/radiation/radiation-terms-and-units).
While granite and other decorative stone can contain some trace natural radioactivity, granite countertops are not considered to be a key contributor to radiation in the average home.
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.
Granite is Heat Resistant
Placing a hot pan on a well-maintained granite slab will not cause it to crack or weaken. Just remember that repeatedly placing a very hot pan on the same spot may cause granite to discolor.
If the granite surface immediately takes in most of the water and develops a dark mark or ring, you need to seal it once every few months. If it takes a few minutes for your stone countertop to soak up all the water, you only need to seal it once every year or two.
The Disadvantages of Granite
One of the biggest problems with granite stones is its high price and high cost of installation, which is very high compared to other products. The speed of implementing granite is low due to behind the stone mortaring operation and time-consuming mortar adhesion and takes a long time.
Jokes apart, it is expected that with proper care, the lifespan of a granite countertop can be up to 30 years or more. In fact, it can even outlive your house. However, that is just an arbitrary number that can increase or decrease depending on how you maintain granite.
Quartz is actually harder than granite and thus, more durable. In fact, quartz is nearly indestructible, and because it isn't porous like granite, it's easy to keep your countertops relatively bacteria-free. Be careful with cooking pans though: Quartz can be damaged by excessive heat, so use heating pads at all times.
Granite is naturally resistant to bacteria, but this does not mean it is impervious to germs. Regularly sealing the stone helps the surface resist liquids that can harbor bacteria. Sealing granite closes the tiny crevices and pores where bacteria can thrive.
Generally, quartz is less expensive than granite, but many factors influence the total price of a project. In this article, we'll look at the differences between natural granite stone and engineered quartz stone and the factors that affect pricing so you can determine which material is best for your design project.
Granite is tough, resistant to staining, etching, and won't scorch if you happen to place a hot pan on it. Homeowners, who want an extra level of protection, can quickly seal their countertops in about 10 minutes and have a lifetime warranty against staining.
Note: Some experts will recommend sealing granite countertops every “6-12 months” or “3-5 years”, but there is no hard and fast rule.
For regular granite cleaning, the best cleaner is nothing more sophisticated than mild dish soap diluted with water. (You can also make a homemade granite cleaner made with a base of rubbing alcohol.) Wet a sponge with water from the tap and squirt dish soap into its center. Bear in mind that granite scratches easily.
Frequent use of vinegar, Windex or bleach will dull the granite and weaken the sealant. Instead, a little soap and water should do the trick. Add dish soap and warm water to a sponge, get a good lather and begin cleaning. Avoid using abrasive pads, as granite can be scratched.
As good as a cleaner for windows and other glass surfaces, Windex has some elements on its compositions that can permanently damage granite when used for a long time. For that reason, you should never use Windex on granite.
However, vinegar should never be used on your granite countertops. Vinegar is made up of acids that can severely harm your granite. Even if it is diluted, vinegar may still leave acids on your granite countertops. This can cause your natural stone countertops to etch.
Windex contains ingredients that can permanently damage the granite. While the most common damage done by Windex is dulling the shine of the countertops, it can also cause pitting.
All granite, and most earthen materials, contain trace amounts of uranium and radium, emit gamma radiation and release radon gas.
The Reality: Some granite countertops have been found to give off trace amounts of radon, and reporters cited a few kitchens with radon levels as high as 25 times the EPA's safety limit of 4 picocuries per liter of air.
Although quartz countertops will have less to zero radon, it does not preclude granite as a “less safe” choice in kitchen countertops.