Granite Care and Maintenance

Natural Granite Care & Maintenance Granite is one of the oldest, most durable and most respected of building materials. Traditionally, it is the material chosen by both architects and engineers when permanence, enduring colour and texture, and complete freedom from deterioration and maintenance are prime requirements. And granite is ageless - always contemporary.

The granite industry is keeping pace with architectural progress and changing demands. Technological developments have revolutionised quarrying and fabrication methods, reducing costs and leading to new applications.

Granite is an igneous rock. It is formed as a result of the slow crystallisation of molten magma at depth in the earth's crust. Uplift and erosion has over millions of years resulted in this material outcropping at the surface. The minerals which make up granite are generally quartz, felspars and various mafic minerals (amphiboles, pyroxenes, micas and secondary materials). It is the size, distribution and precise chemistry of these minerals which give the granite it's colour. The silica content of granite should be at least 70%. In the stone industry "granite" has been a term applied to almost all igneous rocks and schists. Traditionally any very hard crystalline rock (quartz based as opposed to marble, calcite based) possessing the following characteristics:-

1. with no apparent natural jointing, being difficult to work without special tools.

2. that takes a high polish.

3. is extremely resistant to natural weathering.

Preventing Damage
To keep your Granite Worktop in the best possible condition, the following points should be observed:

Avoid contact with edges of worksurface as chipping may otherwise occur.
Do not cut directly on the work surface.
Do not physically abuse your Granite Worktop.
Do not expose your Granite Worktop to excessive heat.
Do not move your Granite Worktop from the original place of installation.

Materials NOT to be used on Granite

Formic acid
Hydrofluoric acid
Nitric acid
Sulphuric acid
Phosphoric acid
Hydrochloric acid

General maintenance
Granite must not be rubbed with abrasive materials instead, wash with clean warm water to which a non-abrasive light neutral detergent (PH7) may be added. Rinse with clean warm water and dry with a chamois leather or similar. Drainer Grooves can be cleaned using wire wool.

Stain removal
Water based stain remover is formulated for the specific removal of stains of an organic nature, such as wine, coffee, nicotine, fruit juices etc. Alkaline degreaser for removal of dirt of an organic and greasy nature, spots, grease, pollution, smoke stains, lamp black, wax coating etc.