Granite Cleaning and Restoration

Granite is a naturally beautiful stone. Coming in a wide range of colours, patterns, markings, swirls and veins. Typically chosen for its marble like appearance, stones in the granite family are sturdier than marble with higher levels of scratch resistances, heat resistance and is significantly easier to maintain.

Not only practical but many homeowners find that having granite surfaces installed in their home not only adds an immediate touch of class but if you are looking to sell your property, well maintained granite adds significant value to your homes resell value.

Though granite is easier to maintain than other stone surfaces like marble and limestone, it does have some of its own unique problems. As granite is often naturally mixed with other stones like quartz, the varying levels of stone in the final piece chosen for your worksurface or floor can alter the care it requires to keep it in tip top shape.

Issues You May Face with Granite Surfaces

Superficially mixed stones, like terrazzo, can be somewhat easier to predict in relation to their care requirements, as the individual who mixed the stones know the exact proportions of stone to cement ratio.

If this occurs naturally, like it does with granite and quartz, care needs are harder to predict, making caring for your granite surface a real headache.

At MK Marble, our stone specialists are trained to be able to visually identify the granite to quartz ratio of your work surface or flooring and can repair it accordingly. But this is not the only problem you may encounter with a granite flooring or kitchen countertop.

Incorrect or Old Sealing (yearly)

If your new home has a granite surface, it is advisable for your own benefit to ask the homeowners or landlord when it was last sealed.

Granite needs yearly sealing to keep it in top shape and incorrect or irregular sealing can cause it to become damaged. Typically, if your granite surface has set in stains or appears dirty, chances are it has not been sealed in over a year or the incorrect sealant was used.

Chemical Damages and Staining

Though it is hardy, like most natural stones used in decorating, granite is naturally quite porous; therefore, it is prone to absorbing liquids (causing deep, in set stains) and even breaking down if those liquids are highly acidic.  

As granite is typically used as a kitchen countertop, this creates a real issue with commonly consumed beverages like coffee or orange juice being spilled.

Your granite surface is also prone to damages from store bough cleaners. If you have accidently splashed some bleach or window cleaner on to your granite surface, you may notice that is now looks dull or the area has become weaker, making scratches and breaks more likely.

Dulling

Renowned for its shine that rivals’ marble, well maintained granite has an almost reflective quality. If your granite appears dull, it is likely it needs some restoration to help it look as good as new.

Remember, dulling can also be due to issues in the granite below the surface (like chemical damage) so it is unwise to try and restore its shine by yourself.

Matching

As previously mentioned, one of the things that makes granite desirable is it naturally forming swirls, marking and wide array of colours. It really is exceedingly beautiful.

However, if your granite countertop has a large chip or one of your granite floor tiles needs replacing, you will invariably become quite frustrated in finding an exact match to set the damage.

Services We Offer

At MK Marble, we want you to take pride in your granite flooring or countertop and so, we offer a wide range of professional services to fit your restoration and cleaning needs.

Cleaning, Sealing and Polishing

Typically completed if your granite has dulled or is stained, the technique we use to clean your granite will vary depending on how deeply set the stains are; we may use either a rotary mechanical brush, a slow grinder, our special detergents or all three. In the instance that a very deep clean is required, we may also use restoration techniques to keep the surface level.

Granite need sealing regularly to keep it looking stunning and to protect it against staining. If we have cleaned your granite (regardless of the method(s) used), we will seal it. We will often use a specialist epoxy-based resin to complete this task, which we will mix to match your surfaces individual quartz and granite proportions.

Despite what many DIY experts proclaim, there is a huge difference in polished and unpolished granite. Not only in appearance but in overall functionality. Unpolished granite is more porous, allowing stains and damages to occur with relative ease. A professional polish reduces the porous nature of the surface and makes it hardier; complimenting the earlier cleaning and sealing work.

Restoration of Cracks, Chips and Scratches

Regardless of the size of the crack, dent or chips in your granite surface, we can repair it.

Minor cracks or chips are typically corrected with a mixture of grinding and invisible sealing. Larger damage requires more extensive grinding and polishing.

If the worst case should happen, we will replace any exceedingly damaged tiles with a new one, matched to fit in with the surrounding ones by our trained experts. You won’t be able to see the difference; we will match the unique patterning, colours and qualities using a mixture of specialised dyes, granite chips, quartz chips and resin.  We will always ensure that you are happy with the finished look of any replacement piece before installing it; we know you want everything to be perfect, so your satisfaction is important to us.

Remember, if you think you need a granite relate restoration technique that you do not see listed here, feel free to contact our team at MK Marble for an assessment via telephone or email. We will typically arrange a home or workplace visit to assess the damage.

We are more than happy to help you!