The Most Common Reasons Granite Worktops Crack

Byadmin Granite Blog

The Marlborough Granite specialises in stone worktops. From granite to quartz, we love stone worktops for their excellent style that complements any kitchen, bathroom or utility area, as well as their practicality, which provides an exceptional heat resistant, hygienic surface for all of your cooking and cleaning needs. While stone worktops are extremely durable, even the low-maintenance worktops will begin to change with time. It is only natural. However, with proper care, you can keep your worktops looking great for many years longer!

Slight cracking is one concern that stone worktops can develop. As durable as they are, they are not fully impenetrable to damage, and with rigorous handling and little to no care, cracking will undoubtedly develop. It’s also worth mentioning that cracking can occur, although infrequently, with proper maintenance. It is merely an occurrence with this sort of worktop. So, the question is, why?

It all starts in the Quarries

You may be amazed to hear that this inclination originates in the quarries themselves. When mining for these materials, workers including masons, will look for pre-existing cracks or fissures when extracting granite or marble blocks, for example. These fissures will assist workers decide how they’ll get the material.

Once the blocks have been extracted, workers and masons will inspect them and decide how to cut them depending on the natural fractures. Why? Because they will be cut to conceal these natural fractures as much as possible, these places may produce other cracks later on down the line, which is completely natural and, in some situations, unavoidable.

Imperfections are what makes them beautiful

Cracks and imperfections in natural stone, particularly granite, are what make it so appealing and fundamentally beautiful. Their imperfections and features make them not only beautiful, but also totally unique. Granite, like many natural stones, can create numerous cracks and fissures that blend in with the lines and veining.

If you want a more rustic look, these fissures can help you achieve it; however, they may be more noticeable if the worktop is finished with a brushing procedure.

Prevent Granite from Cracks

It’s safe to say that you can’t just magically remove cracks. They are there whether you like it or not, but you can keep them from growing worse, and as the saying goes, prevention is better than cure. If you find one, it’s fair to assume there are plenty more cracks, so try not to abuse the worktop in ways that could encourage more, such as continual heat and moisture exposure, as these can cause visible cracks to grow larger and new cracks to emerge. Ensure you’re doing everything you can to protect your worktops by using them exclusively for what they were designed for.

Below are some tips to prevent Granite to have more cracks:

  • Don’t sit on them!
  • Avoid placing hot pans on top of them.
  • Avoid using strong chemicals on them.
  • Clean spills immediately to avoid acidic reactions.
  • Avoid placing any appliances that are hot directly on them.

Are your Granite Worktop properly sealed?

Natural and semi-natural (quartz) stone, as strong and resilient as they are, will always be unpredictable; however, this can be added even further if the worktop is not sealed properly. Using acid as an example is an excellent approach to demonstrate the importance of professional sealant. Acid from food, drink, or even cleaning solutions can not only stain your worktops, but it may also worsen cracks due to chemical reactions.

These chemical reactions can only take place when the acid penetrates into the pores, which will happen very quickly if your worktop is not sealed. Use an approved sealant on your worktop and reseal it once a year to guarantee that acid does not exacerbate natural fractures. It’s also essential to have a proper seal around sinks and splashbacks, since water gradually seeping into the stone’s surface might cause more difficulties than good.

Marlborough Granite Has You Covered

If you require additional assistance and information regarding granite worktops and cracking, please do not hesitate to contact our team. As previously said, here at The Marlborough Granite, we almost live and breathe granite worktops. We understand their characteristics and know how to ensure that natural fractures are not only filled but also kept from worsening over time. We offer professional sealant services, as well as surface repair and restoration. 

Our expert installation and repair staff can ensure that your worktops appear as good as new by not only delivering the aforementioned services but also providing you with the information you need to maintain and care for your worktops on a daily basis.

For further information, please call our team at 0141 881 8200 or email sales@marlboroughgranite.com. Better yet, book a free session so we can give you more hands-on assistance.