| 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.
|