Is this the first time you own kitchen countertops? There are several things you should know about them. These things include:
Some countertops need sealing
If you recently moved to a house with already installed countertops or newly installed units, you should know that some countertops might require you to seal them once a year. As you can guess, this is an additional expense on your part.
The countertops need sealing because they are porous, and the sealant prevents liquids from seeping through and staining the surfaces.
Two of the countertops that require sealing are granite and marble. You also should regularly seal any porous countertops that you might install.
If you aren’t sure whether to seal the units, enquire from a reputable countertop company. You should also research the countertops you have installed in your home.
For peace of mind that your countertops won’t stain the next time you place items on them, please make an effort to seal them at least once a year. When applying the sealant, ensure that its high quality.
You can apply the sealant yourself or hire a professional to help you.
Even if you have already sealed granite countertops, you should note that you still need to take care of your counters. This calls for you to watch what you place on them. As a rule of thumb, don’t place liquids on the surfaces, as they will leak to the inner layers.
It would be best if you also always cleaned the spills that happen as soon as they do. This is because even if you have already sealed your surfaces, the falls will still get to the inner layers when you go for a long time without removing them.
Even with thoroughly sealed counters, always get rid of the spills as soon as they happen.
The countertops aren’t as tough as they look.
When you touch granite, quartz, marble, and other countertops, you might have the impression that they are destructible, but this isn’t the case. Just because the countertops appear challenging doesn’t mean that they are.
To protect your surfaces from damage, avoid cutting directly on them. Please don’t do it now on the countertops when cutting vegetables or chopping meat. Instead, always have a chopping board that prevents you from making marks on the surfaces and simultaneously prevents the spread of bacteria from the meat to the counters.
When you regularly place the hot pots on, most countertops will also be damaged by fire. For your countertops to look good for long and last for as long as possible, avoid placing the hot pots directly on your countertops.
Instead, have hot pads and mats on the counters. When you place your pots, you get them from the stove.
If you don’t have these units, don’t take the pots from the stove. Instead, leave it there until it has completely cooled down.
Besides heat, you also look out for weight, as placing too much weight on the counters will damage this. Many homeowners have the propensity to bathe their young ones on their kitchen sinks. Don’t do this, as you will place too much pressure on the counters.
You also should avoid placing an oversized cooking pot on the counters.
Other homeowners tend to sit on the counters while waiting for the food to cook or when reaching for the top shelf or replacing the bulbs. When you bathe your child in the sink, you place too much pressure on the countertops when you sit or step on them, which expands even the tiniest fissures leading to cracks you didn’t want in the first place.
Countertops need care
Whether you have granite, marble, or quartz countertops Raleigh, you need to give them the best care they deserve. This means that you should regularly clean them.
You might have the impression that you need harsh cleaning products, but this isn’t the case. Simple soap and water are enough to leave your countertops sparkling. You should always avoid harsh chemicals as they cause more harm than good.