Let the Doc Answer Your Countertop FAQs

Costs for granite countertops vary greatly, depending on the type of granite used and on labor costs in your area. In general, costs for granite countertops have actually fallen, thanks to the increasing popularity of synthetic engineered stone. Granite slab countertops cost from $40 to $60 per square foot, while quartz countertops can cost $70 to over $100 per square foot. 

Granite is a very hard substance and thus is very resistant to scratching. That is fortunate, because repairs are very hard, if not impossible, to accomplish. Cracks, fissures, and chips can sometimes be repaired using an epoxy or resin kit chosen to match the color and pattern of the granite, but these repairs are usually evident in the surface. Professional fabricators often do this work better than DIYers can accomplish, but repairs can be costly. 

While granite performs better than marble on a countertop, it is still a somewhat porous stone that will receive additional benefit from being sealed in order to protect it from staining. Most granite countertops are sealed before they are installed, and they need to be periodically resealed to keep the surface impervious to stains.

As factory-made composites, quartz countertops are nonporous. That eliminates the need to seal the surface. Quartz countertops more sanitary and some quartz countertops are nearly twice as scratch-resistant as some granite (depending on the manufacturer). Even though Quartz countertops are also very resistant to scratching, if quartz does get scratched, it is much more difficult to repair than granite. Chips, and crack repairs can be more visible than that of the same type of repair in granite. Not all quartz countertop surfaces are made the same just as not all granite is the same. Some quartz tops are “softer” and do not hold up as well as others, just as some granite does not hold up as well as others. 

While quartz countertops resist stains better than natural stone, they should not be used outdoors, because long-term exposure to sunlight will cause damage. In addition, quartz countertops are more susceptible to heat, so you need to be careful when setting down hot pans in the kitchen or hot hair styling appliances in the bathroom.

Use a mild dish soap and water. Use 1 tsp dish liquid to 4 cups water. Mix, and put in a spray bottle. It’s that simple. We do not recommend using anything lemon scented, citrus scented, or ammonia based. No Windex, vinegar and water, or other chemical cleaners. In time those products will break the sealers down much faster, and can possibly etch the stone. Stone cleaners that you purchase at the store are fine, but not necessary. You are spending money on products that you don't really need.

This really depends on the type of stone you have. In general, sealers should last at least 3-5 years. Some countertops need to be sealed more often than that, while others may never really need to be sealed again. The easiest way to tell if you’re ready for resealing is to leave a glass of water on the countertop for about 5 minutes or so. If you start to see a darker ring where the glass was, then that would be a good indicator that it’s time. Water, as well as other liquids should bead up on the countertop like a new car. In time, you’ll notice that it doesn’t do it as much. That would need to be another sign that it’s time to seal the countertops.

Over sealing your countertops can be counterproductive. More is not better in this case. Sealer is only going to penetrate the stone so much. Too much sealer will end up sitting on top of the surface and make daily cleaning a real problem. Your countertops will begin to feel “gummy”, and never look clean. The way to correct that is to strip the countertops and start over again. Ask The Rock Doctor for more information on proper sealing.

First things first, you need to determine what caused the stain in the first place. Stains are typically darker than the stone itself, while etching is lighter, duller, and can be chalky looking. Etch marks are caused by anything from acidic products sitting on the countertop for too long to mineral deposits building up on the stone surface. Etch marks are not stains per se. They are a dulling or “eating away” of the polished surface. Softer materials like marbles, limestones, and dolomite etch much easier than granite or quartzite. Some etch marks can be simply buffed out, while most require the countertop area to be repolished.

Stains can be caused from oils, butter, grease, ink, etc. While your countertop can be properly sealed, it is still possible for stains to occur. Sealer only is a resistor to staining. It does not make your tops stain proof. The sooner you discover the stain, and determine what caused the stain, the better your chances are of removing the stain completely. There are different methods of removing stains depending on the type of stain it is. Ask The Rock Doctor on what would work best on your particular stone.