What’s A Good Size Patio?

Posted on January 16, 2021 by David

patio contractors

If this is the first time installing a patio, you must be wondering, what’s a good size patio? According to patio contractors, it’s almost impossible to tell the right size of patio you should install in your home as the size varies depending on plenty of factors.

Some of the factors to pay attention to when deciding the right size of patio to install include:

Purpose

How are you planning to use the patio? You can use the patio for almost anything. You can use it for cooking and dining, use it to relax among many other things.

The size you should go for should be in synch with the purpose. If you want a place to cook, a small patio will do, but if you will be dining or relaxing there with your friends, you need a large unit.

Number of people using the patio

The number of people using the patio will also influence the size you should go for. If you have a large family, you need many chairs and tables so you should put up a large patio.

The same logic holds if you love hosting parties.

The size of your backyard

You might have a large family or love holding parties, but you can’t construct a large patio due to your yard’s small size. For a great look, construct a patio that matches the size of your yard.

Even if you have a large yard, you don’t want to install a patio that is too small or too large that it’s disproportional to the rest of the house.

Your desired shape

We all have different tastes, and there is nothing wrong with that. Do you want a rounded patio? You will have more space on the edges. If you love cooking and dining, you should go for a squared patio as it works best for this purpose.

If not sure about the right size of patio to go for, consult a patio expert to guide you.

Location of the patio

Where you want to locate the patio can significantly affect the size, you can install. In most homes, patios are located close to the house for easier accessibility. It’s also not uncommon to find patios around focal points of the house, such as a pool, water features, and spa.

If thinking about positioning the patio close to the house, you will be limited in space as chances are you won’t have a large backyard.

If locating the patio close to the house is limiting, and you have a large yard, consider locating the patio somewhere else that offers a beautiful view and at the same time gives you more room to scale.

Tips to consider when installing the patio

To get the most from your patio, you need to consider several tips. These tips include:

Take advantage of your landscape.

You should take advantage of your landscape when locating your patio. If you are going to primarily use the patio for entertainment purposes, locate it close to the kitchen or bathroom.

If you will be using the patio as an additional sitting space, you should have it connected to the family room.

Work with your environment.

Do you have large trees around your home? Construct your patio in such a way the patio is nestled under them. Building the patio for sunbathing and other poolside entertainment activities? Build it near the pool or in an area that receives plenty of sun.

If this is your first time constructing the patio, don’t start the project without the help of patio builders Long Island. Experienced contractors will walk with you from the planning of the patio to its construction. The key is to work with experienced ones.

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Why Choose Granite Countertops?

Posted on December 17, 2020 by David

granite countertops

You must have heard about them. Every homeowner you meet tells you to install them. You have even started to dream about them. They are granite counters.

While they are popular, the big question is, why choose granite countertops? Well, granite comes with plenty of advantages that include:

It’s affordable

You are probably collecting your jaw on the flaw when reading this, as you can’t find the connection between granite and affordability. The truth is that times have gone when granite was only found in palaces and homes of the well to do in society.

While there are still rare, extremely expensive granite slabs, most of the granite slabs are affordable for most people.

The trick to finding affordable pieces is to avoid rare colors. You also should avoid buying from the big box stores. These stores are not only expensive, but they are also limited in options, so you have few countertop materials to choose from.

The stores also don’t have their in-house granite contractors, so they outsource them, which can get quite pricey on your side.

Where should you buy it then?

The best place to buy the countertops is from local small stores. These stores are the exact opposite of the large stores.

They have plenty of granite slabs to choose from, they sell their countertops at lower prices, and they have their own in-house installation professional, so they charge less for the installation. Some companies won’t even charge you when you buy from them!

Granite comes in plenty of colors to choose from

Since it’s a natural stone, no slab looks like the next. While this might be bad as you can’t replicate your friend’s countertop look, it works to your advantage as it gives you plenty of options to experiment with.

Some colors you can choose from include: blue eyes, Baltic red, Baltic brown, castor brown, Kashmir gold, silk blue, raw silk, and many others.

When making the purchase, you want a slab that matches your cabinets and home décor.

Many homeowners make the mistake of buying a slab online or from the store. You don’t want to make this mistake.

The right way to go about it is to take a sample to your home and see how it matches the rest of the house. If you don’t like it, take it back to the store and get another one. You should do this until you find the right fit.

To reduce the number of times you have to replace the slab, go on the granite slab hunt accompanied by a granite professional.

Granite is tough and durable.

The last thing you want is to install a granite countertop that comes apart after a few months or years—you want a material that will withstand the test of time. Granite does this.

Granite is resistant to scratching, chipping, and cracking. The material is also heat resistant.

When properly installed and maintained, granite can last for even a lifetime. To keep it in top shape, avoid placing a lot of weight on it. Also, regularly seal it to prevent stains from easily forming.

It increases your home value.

If planning to sell your house down the road, installing granite countertops will increase your perceived home value, so you sell the house at a higher price.

While granite increases the home value, be cautious, and ensure you don’t invest in a material that won’t give your money back. A good rule of thumb is to avoid the rare, expensive granite materials as they will cause you to make a loss.

Instead, go for the standard, easily available granite counters. You only need to ensure experienced granite installers Potomac installs them.

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HVAC Companies: Heat Pump Vs Furnace

Posted on November 23, 2020 by David

hvac companies

When it comes to home heating, homeowners have two broad options: heat pumps or furnaces. While the two accomplish the same goal, they do so in different ways.

If you are you looking to install a heating system and wondering whether to install a furnace or heat pump, you should know the heat pump vs. furnace battle has been around for a long time.

To help you out, here is a guide given by HVAC companies that will help you choose the right appliance for your home.

Furnaces generate heat while heat pumps transfer it.

All furnaces generate their own heat to heat the house. The gas furnace generates heat by burning combustible fuel such as propane or gas, while the electric furnace generates heat by blowing air over a hot element.

On the other hand, a heat pump draws heat from the outside and transfers it to the interior of the house using pressurized lines.

Heat pumps tend to make a lot of noise.

While both heat pumps and furnaces make some screeching, grinding, or clanking noises when having mechanical issues, the heat pump generally tends to be noisier.

The heat pump is notorious for knocking and clicking as the compressor circulates the refrigerant, which can be alarming especially if you aren’t used to living with heat pumps.

The other reason why heat pumps tend to be noisier is that they are located close to the living area as compared to the furnace that is often located away from the living area (usually in the basement or utility room), so the only sound you hear when the furnace is working is the whoosh of air.

Furnaces take more space.

Since you install furnaces indoors, you take up a lot of square footage. Even if you might have bought a small appliance, remember the local building codes require you to leave a 30-inch clearance on all sides for fire safety reasons.

The heat pump’s compressor is located out of the house, and it requires a minimum of 24-inch clearance around the outdoor unit. Since the heat pump doesn’t use combustible fuel or generate heat of its own, you don’t need to leave additional safety clearance.

In some cases, you can mount the heat pump’s air handler high on the wall, so it doesn’t take up your floor space.

Furnaces work better for colder climates.

Since the heat pump draws warmth from the outdoors, the heat it produces is relative to the outside air’s warmth. While this is the case, it doesn’t mean the temperature has to be balmy for the heat pump to function—it can still work even if the air is below freezing.

But as the temperature drops, the heat pump becomes less efficient. So if you live in exceedingly cold areas, you will be better off with a furnace that will consistently function efficiently.

Heat pump is cheaper to keep running.

You need a lot of fuel to generate heat. Since the heat pump doesn’t generate heat, it doesn’t consume a lot of electricity as it only requires enough electricity to circulate the refrigerant through the pressurized lines.

You should professionally install the right size of the heating system.

Whether you have opted for the heat pump or furnace, you should professionally install it. As a rule of thumb, ensure the appliance is installed by an expert furnace repair services Arlington VA provider. The contractor will also help you know the right size of appliance to install after factoring in the climate zone, air volume, and your budget.

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How To Clean A Furnace As Given By Furnace Repair Services Experts

Posted on October 23, 2020 by David

furnace repair services

When your furnace gets dirty, it’s always wise to hire furnace repair services providers to do the cleaning, but if you don’t have money to hire a technician and you have cleaning skills, you can go ahead and clean your furnace. To help you out, here are step by step instructions on how to clean a furnace:

Step1: Inspect the furnace filter

One of the major areas you should pay attention to when cleaning the furnace is the furnace filter. To inspect the filter, locate the access panel on the outside of the furnace. The panel should be below the return-air duct between the duct and blower system.

The filter is located inside the front of the furnace, and all you need to do is to unscrew the front panel from the furnace and remove it from the hooks holding it in place. Sometimes you will find the furnace filter with its own access door.

Before opening the furnace, remember to turn off the system. You don’t want to be electrocuted, do you?

Step 2: Remove the filter

After getting access to the air filter, remove it by pulling it up and out of the tracks. The filter should come out easily. If you are finding it hard to pull, chances are its stuck. Don’t force it out as you will damage it. Inspect it and find out whether items such as dirt or debris are blocking it.

Step 3: Inspect the furnace filter.

You also should find out whether the filter needs cleaning or replacement. Not sure whether the air filters is dirty?

Hold it up to the light and look through it. If you can’t see the light, the filter is most likely dirty and needs replacement.

If the filter isn’t disposable, you should clean it. First, remove any dirt or loose particles, then use mild soap and tap water to rinse and wash it.

After cleaning, let the filter dry thoroughly before putting it back into the furnace.

Step 4: Place back the clean filter

After cleaning the filter, slide back the filter in to the furnace and ensure it fits securely. You should then close the access door and reapply the front panel using hooks and screws. If the filter doesn’t fit properly, chances are dirt or debris is blocking it.

If you bought a new filter, you must have bought the wrong size. Double-check and confirm you got the right size.

Step 5: Clean the blower assembly

To clean the blower assembly, remove the whole front panel by loosening the screws holding the panel in place. You can also take the panel off its supporting hinges.

Follow it up by sliding the fan unit out of the furnace. Most fans are secured to the furnace by a track that allows it to slide in and out easily. It’s also common for fans to be connected by wire connections.

If this is the case, take note of where the wire connects to the fan before removing them for easy reassembly when you are done.

If screws or bolts hold in your fan, remove the bolts and screws with a ratchet or screwdriver and take the fan out. Remember to keep bolts and screws in place, so you don’t lose them.

After removing the blower assembly, clean it with mild soap and water. You also should run a handheld vacuum over the blades and belts and remove all the dirt.

Once you are done, put the fan blower assembly back into the furnace. If you had disconnected the wires, reattach them, ensuring you connect them to the right location.

Other areas of the furnace you should pay attention to as given by furnace services Falls Church providers are the heat exchanger block. Clean it and ensure there is dirt or debris on it.

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How Do You Store A Persian Rug? Persian Rug Stores Expert Advises

Posted on September 20, 2020 by David

persian rug stores

When homeowners hit Persian rug stores, their only focus is on a beautiful rug that will look good and accentuate the look of their homes. The last thing on their mind is how to store the rug in the event they no longer want to continue using the rug. Have you got a new rug and wondering, how do you store a Persian rug? Here are tips on how to do it:

Clean the rug

Like your clothes, you should never store the rug while dirty. Give your rug thorough vacuuming and lift as much dander, dust, and other microscopic particles from it. When vacuuming, watch out you don’t go overboard and ruin the delicate weaving. Protect the delicate pieces by placing a piece of nylon screen over the rug, then vacuum over the screen. After vacuuming, clean the rug based on the manufacturer’s specifications.

Apply insect repellent

If you are going to store the rug for a long time, you should protect it from moths and insects by applying a repellent on the rug before storing it. When choosing a repellent, choose one specially designed for your fabrics.

Tightly roll the rug for storage.

You should never fold your rug as doing so would lead to cracks, creases, and other forms of damage. When rolling the rug, keep it as straight as possible. If having trouble doing it, use a rod. The rod can be one meant for the rugs or one lying around your house, such as a thick curtain rod or wooden dowel.

Wrap the rug

Are you looking to transport or ship the rug? You need to wrap your rug to provide it with an additional layer of protection against dirt, bugs, and other elements that can damage the delicate fibers. After rolling the rug, wrap a cotton sheet or Musin around the rug.

Wrap your rug one and half times then secure the sheet with polyester or cotton twill tape. For maximum rug protection, wrap your rug in a polyurethane rug wrap. This wrap provides a superior barrier against insects and dampness, and it’s often more effective than Musin.

Never use plastic to wrap your rug as you will keep it from breathing.

Store the rug off the ground in a cool, dry area

The best and safest place to store your Persian rug is off the ground, safe from harmful elements. When storing the rug, ensure nothing else lies on top of it as boxes and other supplies can cause cracks and destroy the shape of the rug.

The area you choose should be away from direct sunlight as your rug will lose color. The area also shouldn’t experience major temperature, and humidity swings as this will result in damage to the rug.

Don’t store the rug in the closet, basement, or garage as the air isn’t ideal for long term storage.

Place the rug on the table or shelf. Remember to place a cotton fabric underneath the rug to prevent it from soaking up the wood acids. If storing the rug for more than a year, place a fabric above the rug to keep off dust, dirt, and other elements.

Make sure you store the rug horizontally as storing it vertically will lead to creases and bends that can be permanent.

For best rug storage results, consider these tips:

  • Use a fan or dehumidifier to avoid mildew problems.
  • Block light from windows using blinds or shades
  • Always store your antique rugs Alexandria on an elevated surface to protect them from insects, moths, and carpet beetles.
  • Even in storage, implement good housekeeping practices such as vacuuming, dusting, and many others.
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Tree Removal Tips As Given By Tree Services Providers

Posted on August 17, 2020 by David

tree services

It’s always recommended you remove a tree as a last resort, but if the tree is a high risk, you have no way out other than to remove it. To safely do it, consider these tree removal tips given by tree services providers:

Only work with an expert

If the tree has to go, ensure that only an expert tree removal services provider removes it.

While you will save money, avoid removing the tree on your own as you are bound to make plenty of mistakes (especially if the tree is large) that might put your life at risk.

When hiring the removal professional, ensure he/she is certified to do the work and has the necessary level of experience. The last thing you want is a technician who will cause more problems than were originally there.

If removing a large tree or one with special requirements, ensure the company has the necessary tools and equipment to get the work done.

Things can quickly get out of hand, and you want to ensure your home and family members are protected. How do you do it? By ensuring the contractor you are looking to hire is insured.

This way, you have peace of mind that the blame and the damage cost won’t be pushed to you in the event of an accident.

Pay attention to state regulations.

Even if you own the tree, you might not have the power to decide to remove it, and if you go ahead and do it, you will be putting yourself on the wrong side of the law. Before you remove a tree, check with your local authorities and confirm whether you need any permits to undertake the tree removal.

Another great thing about working with experienced contractors is you don’t need to bother yourself with getting permits as the company gets them for you.

Get rid of the tree stump.

Removing the tree isn’t enough—you also need to remove the tree stump that is not only an eyesore, but also an insect attractant. You can use the same tree removal company to remove the stump, hire another company that has the necessary stump removal tools, or do the work yourself.

It’s always wise to work with the same removal company as it saves you the trouble of finding another company. Doing so also increases your chances of getting a discount from the company, so you save money.

Think about your neighbors

Unless you live in a ranch, you need to think about your neighbors as the tree can easily fall onto their property and damage it.

If you have a large tree, let your neighbors know you will be cutting the tree. Also, ask them to remove any items that might be on the way of the tree.

To minimize the chances of the tree falling onto your neighbor’s property, ensure the work is done by a tree expert who will cut the tree professionally and direct it professionally, so it safely falls onto your property.

As mentioned above, working with an insured professional is vital, so ensure you go through the insurance certificate of the service provider and ensure your neighbor is covered. This way you won’t worry in the event things don’t go as planned.

Over to you

If a tree is a hazard to you or your family members, or you are looking to improve the look of your property, you should remove the obstructing tree. Unless you are removing a peewee tree, ensure the removal is done by an experienced, certified, and insured tree removal services Chevy Chase provider.

Before removing the tree, think about what you want with the stump. Do you want firewood, mulch, or to remove it?

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What Is Faux Marble? Marble Countertops Experts Answer

Posted on July 23, 2020 by David

marble countertops

Faux marble countertops are quickly gaining popularity, especially in large projects where the contractors want to give the impression of the use of high-end countertop materials but don’t want to spend a lot of money on it. The material is also popular with homeowners that want the marble look on their surfaces but cannot afford the real stone.

Are you wondering what is faux marble? From its name, this is fake marble. It’s made from a combination of various materials that include: granite, onyx, and granite.

Engineered vs. faux marble

Before we proceed, it’s good to list the difference between engineered marble and faux marble. Engineered marble mimics natural marble in appearance with a mixture of crushed rock, dyes, and resins. The ratio of the mixture is what distinguishes between engineered and faux marble.

While quartz uses large portions of recycled stone, faux marble uses large amounts of resin.

Types of faux marble

Due to its popularity, marble is one of the most imitated materials in the market. There are three main types of faux marble you will find in the market:

Faux stone: This is a polymer made of resin and marble pieces. It resembles natural stone but lacks shine and depth. The cool thing is it doesn’t scratch or etch as easily as the natural stone making it the most preferred material for kitchen tops and other areas.

Painted laminate: Laminate tiles are painted to mimic the look of marble making them an excellent choice when looking for countertops that resemble the natural stone. The cool thing with laminate is that it’s cheaper and often easier to install.

Faux marbling or marbleizing: This is a special technique for covering the surface with paint that resembles marble.

You can choose any of the options above, depending on the project you have in mind. If looking to achieve unique results, you can always combine different types of faux marble.

How can you tell the difference between real from fake marble?

Plenty of cases have been reported where homeowners buy marble pieces thinking they are real, only to get home and realize they are fake. To avoid making this mistake, you should look out for two crucial things: price and purpose.

Price: Real marble is more expensive than faux marble. It also requires additional maintenance and regular sealing to keep it in top shape.

Purpose: Why are you buying the marble in the first place? If having a serious project and looking for permanent results, you should go for real marble.

On the other hand, if you are looking for pieces for decorative purposes such as furniture, columns, and walls, you should go for faux marble. Faux marble also makes an excellent choice for other projects that are hard to achieve with real marble.

If you have never bought marble before, be ultra-cautious when making the purchase. To be sure you are buying real marble, take time to test the stone using an acid. Since marble is a metamorphic rock, the calcite in it begins to bubble when you pour some acid on it.

Pros and cons of faux marble

Like any other thing, faux marble comes with its pros and cons.

Pros: Faux marble is much cheaper than real marble making it an excellent choice when having a countertop replacement NC project, but you don’t have a large budget.

Due to the gel coating, faux marble is non-porous, which reduces its chances of staining.

Cons: When the countertop material develops a chip or scratch, it’s almost impossible to repair it. This means when it gets damaged, you have to replace the entire piece.

It’s also risky to work with faux marble as it contains silica that has been shown to cause silicosis.

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Commercial Ice Maker Repair: 6 Ways To Keep Your Ice Machine Functioning Optimally

Posted on June 22, 2020 by David

If smoothies or iced coffees are your specialty, you need a lot of ice. Since you don’t want to be serving your customers warm drinks, you need to ensure your ice machine is working all the time.

According to commercial ice maker repair professionals, there are plenty of ways you can ensure your appliance is functioning optimally all the time. These ways include:

Adjust the production when necessary

You don’t need the same amount of ice all year round, do you? During summer, you need more ice as you need to lower the temperatures by greater degrees compared to cold winter seasons.

By determining the amount of ice you need and adjusting accordingly, you save a lot on your energy costs. To save even more money, consider producing the ice during daytime hours when you have customers in the store.

Invest in an air-cooled machine

All ice machines come with a cooling mechanism that involves water or air. Air-cooled machines are often more energy-efficient than water-cooled ones. Although air-cooled machines come with plenty of benefits, they cost just a little more than water-cooled machines.

This makes them an excellent choice when looking to improve efficiency and performance. When making the purchase, pay attention to the Energy Star logo.

Undertake regular maintenance

Like any other piece of equipment, you need to maintain your ice maker properly. A properly maintained ice machine functions more efficiently and, at the same time, requires little repair.

The cool thing is that you don’t have always to hire a professional to help you with the maintenance as there are plenty of things you can do on your own. Tasks you can accomplish on your own include: d-liming the water hose, sanitizing the box, and adding microbial products.

If more complex problems come about or you experience a decrease in ice production, hire a commercial technician to help you with the work.

Regular maintenance plays a major role in catching the problems early so you can prevent complex problems from coming about later on.

Don’t store ice in a hot place.

When your equipment is working properly, it doesn’t matter where you store your ice machine as your ice will be cold. Unfortunately, the air temperature around the machine has a significant effect on how hard the machine works to maintain the cold temperature required to store ice.

This means the higher the room temperature, the more energy the equipment is going to use. As you might guess, this leads to a high electric bill. To avoid this, keep your ice machine in an area with good air movement. The area also shouldn’t heat over 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

Change the filters regularly.

Filters are essential for an optimally functioning ice machine. To ensure the best ice production, replace the filters on your machine at least once every six months. This not only ensures the ice machine is working better, but it also ensures customers are getting high quality, clean ice.

Replace the ice

Like food, ice doesn’t last forever—it has an expiration date. To maintain high-quality ice, make it a habit to throw out ice when it starts to melt, it gets contaminated by food, or you have used to chill bottles or anything else.

In addition to keeping the performance of your machine at top working condition all the time, replacing the ice also prevents illnesses both from employees and customers from coming about.

Parting shot

These are some of the ways in which you can keep your ice machine functioning optimally. Commercial appliances repair Northern VA professionals advise you to take care that you don’t contaminate the ice. This calls for you to avoid handling the ice with hands, using glasses as a scoop, and storing bottles or other products in food ice.

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Home Remodeling Architects: 7 Ways To Reduce The Cost Of Your Home Remodeling Project

Posted on May 23, 2020 by David

While many homeowners want to transform their homes, their biggest worry is the amount of money they will spend on the project. While home remodeling projects can get expensive, it doesn’t always have to be this way.

With some strategic thinking, you can cut the costs on design, timing, and materials without cutting corners and compromising the quality of your project. Here are some of the ways you can cut the costs as given by home remodeling architects:

Get cheaper materials

There are plenty of ways you can save on materials for your project. One of the most effective ones is recycling and reusing the building materials. Also, consider visiting stores selling gently used home accessories, furniture, and appliances at a fraction of the retail prices.

You can also find free or cheap materials online on eBay, Freecycle, and Craiglist. Another effective way is asking your contractor for odds and ends leftover from other jobs.

Be your own contractor.

Labor is one of the priciest spends you incur in your project. When having an entire house renovation project, it’s wise to hire a contractor, but if looking to remodel a room or two, if you have handyman skills, you will save a lot of money if you can do the work yourself.

Also, consider hiring subcontractors. While this will be time-consuming, it will save you a lot of money in the long run.

Pay cash

What do most homeowners do when they are having a remodeling project? They rush to the bank and get a loan. As you can guess, they repay the loan at an interest which adds to the cost of the project.

To save money, you should pay the project in cash. This calls for you to first save enough money for the project before you progress.

Do your research

Do you have friends, family, or neighbors that recently had a renovation project? Talk to them about the project. This way, you will understand the project better. Enquire about the materials they used, the contractor they hired, the tips you should look out for, among many other things.

When you have plenty of information about the remodeling project, you can plan better for your project and avoid making mistakes.

Come up with ways to add light without windows.

When many homeowners are looking to add light to the house, they cut a big hole in the side of the house and rearrange the framing. While this is effective, it’s expensive and labor-intensive.

To save money, go with a less invasive, less expensive ways of capturing light. One of these ways is brightening up a windowless bath or hallway using a light tube. Slip the tube between the roof rafters, and it will funnel sunshine down into the living space.

Be a smart packer

A remodeling project involves plenty of trash that can quickly increase your remodeling project if you aren’t smart about it. Instead of renting a trash bin, put the trash in a container.

Have the long boards run the length of the container. For the bathtubs, sinks, and other large hollow items, set them in such a way the open side faces up so you can fill them instead of creating a void.

Always use the small pieces to fill in and around the large ones. The most effective way of going about it is to think the debris as puzzle pieces where each of the pieces has its own spot.

Hire the right contractor

If you can’t do the work yourself, consider hiring a professional to help you out. Hire an experienced home remodel DC expert who will expertly execute the project without having to redo it.

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Do Granite Countertops Stain?

Posted on April 19, 2020 by David

granite countertops

If you are buying granite countertops for the first time, you must be asking, “Do granite countertops stain?” while the countertops are tough and natural, they easily stain if you don’t clean the spills early enough. Even water will leave a dark spot on the countertops if you don’t wipe it soon enough.

Which are the common countertop stains?

The common stains that can affect the countertops are:

Soap scum: Dish soaps and other detergents will cause stains I you don’t rinse them well enough from the countertops. These stains result when cleaning the countertops.

Algae or moss: Moss, algae, and other growth originating from the outdoors will stain your countertops if you ignore them and don’t give proper care to your countertops.

Oil-based stains: These are stains from cooking oil, grease, and other oil-based products that cause the granite to darken.

Organic stains: Organic stains from tea, fruits, coffee, food, urine, leaves, or droppings leave a pinkish-brown stain on the countertops.

Metal stains: In some cases, metals such as rust, iron, copper, and bronze will cause orange, green, or brown stains. These stains are often hard to remove, so you are better off contacting stone care professionals to help you with the removal.

Water marks: Water marks are probably the most common types of stains on the countertops. They come about due to condensation.

Can you remove the stains?

How you remove the stains depends on the type of stain. For example, if you have organic stains, remove them using 30%-40% hydrogen peroxide.

Inorganic stains should be removed using rubbing alcohol, while oil-based stains are best removed using pure acetone.

Begin with applying the removing agent on the stained area, taking care not to apply it to the other regions. You should then cover the area with a plastic wrap and tape the edges down. Allow it to sit for 24 hours then remove the tape and plastic wrap.

Follow up by cleaning the countertop and dry with another piece of cloth. If you do this and the stain is still present, repeat the process 2-6 more times until the stain completely goes away.

You don’t have to worry much if you have water stains as they go away as soon as the water evaporates. To prevent the countertops from absorbing the liquids in the first place, seal the surfaces with a quality sealer. You can apply the sealer by yourself or hire a professional.

If you live in an area with hard water, you can remove the hard water stains by applying vinegar to the affected area.

What if you can’t remove the stains?

If your countertops are still in good shape, consider lightening or darkening the stone to hide the stain. On the other hand, if the stain is large and the countertops are old or damaged, you are better off simply removing them.

How can you prevent stains from coming about?

You can prevent the stains in two main ways: cleaning the countertops and sealing them. When cleaning the countertops, avoid using acidic cleaners as they will wear the granite down. This calls for you to ensure that you don’t use vinegar, bleach, or lemon cleaners on the countertops.

After cleaning the countertops, use a dry cloth to buff and dry the countertops. To make the kitchen tops gleam again, polish them with a luster polish.

The other way you can prevent the countertops from staining is by sealing and resealing them. At installation, have the granite countertop installers Chantilly seal the countertops with a high-quality sealer.

You also should make it a habit of re-sealing the countertops every one or two years.

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