There are two broad profiling techniques that people can use to prepare their concrete slabs so that they can fit on a new surface. They include chemical and mechanical profiling, where profiling entails the use of grinding equipment to create a strong bond between the concrete and bonding agents. Biochemical profiling, on the other hand, uses acid to etch the surface of concrete and open pores on it to achieve a strong bond between the slab and the bonding agent.

Mechanical scarifying, also known as profiling, is the perfect profiling technique for removing vegetable oils, sealers, petroleum-based products, and coatings from the surface of the concrete. However, it has proven itself more efficient than acid etching, given that its results are reliable. It involves the use of grinding equipment to grind the concrete surface to achieve a rough concrete slab. Mechanical profiling services include the use of a grinding machine combined with advanced vacuum technology to capture dust and profile the surface of a concrete floor. Concrete prep procedures can help minimize any dirt or debris that may inhibit bonding of the concrete with the bonding agent. Mechanical profiling starts with grinding away the slab surface, creating a bondage, and exposing aggregate to allow any coating, including adhesives, epoxy, and mortar to bond with the concrete surface. Preparing a surface ensures a better bond between a slab and the bonding agent to create a concrete that is ready for polishing.

Steps for Concrete Profiling

A concrete profiling contractor first grinds the surface of a slab followed by a survey of the current state of the concrete. As the contractor examines the tile, efflorescence, curing materials, existing sealers, grease, dirt, and oil are removed. The contractor will also determine how well-bonded a slab is if there is a surfacing material over the epoxy coating, stone, tile, or concrete substrate.

Grinding and Surface Preparation

Preparing the surface of a concrete slab to accept the surfacing materials or bonding is the first step to creating a durable concrete floor. The condition of the substrate, which could include cracking, dusty, shelling up, and surfacing material are some of the factors that determine the slab surface profile. Ask yourself if there will be a need to polish the concrete and the type of overlay or concrete to install on a slab. Other factors include project requirements, such as restrictions on equipment, dust, and noise as well as job site conditions to make sure that the working environment can accommodate scarifying and grinding equipment.

Concrete profiling starts with grinding and scarifying a slab to remove shot blasting or old floor coatings or any other loose concrete or contaminant. There are numerous concrete surface prep and resurfacing companies out there. However, everyone wants to work with a contractor with several years of service in this field and has the necessary equipment for grinding and resurfacing a concrete floor. Professional concrete repair contractors are equipped with dust-free technology and modern tools for concrete preparation, cleaning, and crushing.

Removal of Adhesive

Concrete repair contractors have applied mastics and adhesives to commercial and industrial surface materials for years. Once a homeowner decides to replace an old concrete slab, the contractor has to strip or ground off the adhesive and glue and remove any contaminants on the surface. Then the contractor can go ahead to profile the slab to accept the bonding agent and concrete after the glue is removed.

Removing Thinset

Stone tiles, porcelain, and ceramic removal is a dusty, dirty task unless a professional service does it. As such, an ordinary homeowner might have to research on the internet to understand the thinset removal process. Unfortunately, some contractors often fail to remove the thinset when removing debris on a concrete slab, inhibiting the bond between the concrete slab and the thinset. That can result in hollow sounding tiles or delamination, which eventually loosens the floor or make it crack. Scraping off all debris and the thinset isn’t possible, and only a vacuum system that can capture the dust coupled with a mechanical diamond grinding technique can get rid of all the thinset. Professional pavement repair services have all the necessary vacuum and grinding technologies that can capture the dust and dirt produced during overlays in residential and commercial environments and grinding of the thinset.

Impact

A hardened point often impacts the substrate, and it can even cause it to crumble. It also causes the slab to fracture the cement paste and aggregate, causing the concrete to get damaged. Concrete repair contractors can use scabbing, scaling, bush hammer bit, milling, and scarifying to impact a concrete slab. When talking to a concrete slab contractor, let them know the surface profile you would want on your concrete pavement. Also, get a free estimate and ask the contractor the surface profile that the material manufacturer recommended for a concrete floor. Your floor has to be adequately prepared before you install high-quality flooring material. Contractors often get into a floor repair project without following the due process, hoping that the bonding agent and the slab would stick magically. The mess on a slab flooring material is real, but magic isn’t practical. As such, anyone who isn’t sure about what needs to be done on a concrete floor should enlist the help of professional concrete repair service. Alternatively, a homeowner can download a checklist of questions to ask a concrete floor repair contractor before a project starts.

Preparation is an essential step in repairing and maintaining quality concrete flooring material. Homeowners have to prepare their floor with the right concrete surface profile for quality and robust bonding on an overlay or coating. Concrete surface profile refers to a standardized measure for surface roughness. A smooth concrete slab with almost no preparation will have a low concrete surface profile while a rough concrete slab will have a high concrete surface profile. The slab surface texture is an essential consideration for applying an overlay or coating on a flooring surface.

When most people think about decorative tiling for kitchens or bathrooms, marble is often the material that is first in their minds. However, although beautiful, marble is not the only natural stone solution for your home. Travertine can be an excellent choice of tiling for both indoor and outdoor spaces.

What is Travertine?

Travertine is a type of limestone which, in its natural state, has a porous texture. It is loved for its versatility, soft and attractive texture, and the variety of colors to choose from. It is also one of the most durable and long-lasting building materials making it a perfect investment in the future. Depending on the location of installation, tiles can be left in their natural porous state or filled and shined for a more glamorous look. While porous tiles can be great for achieving a natural aesthetic and for providing slip control, bathrooms and kitchens can benefit from the extra boost of luxury that polished travertine can add to a room.

Choosing to Fill Your Travertine

Filled and unfilled travertine each have unique processes for installation, cleaning, and maintenance. Filled travertine is installed and then filled with a material that has been specifically matched to the hue of tile that has been selected. Previously unfilled travertine, as well as tiles that have had their fillings eroded over time, can be filled again using the same process of “floating.” This is the first step to achieving a shiny surface. Once the travertine has been filled, specific guidelines regarding cleaning, maintenance, and polishing are followed to create a lasting surface that is durable as well as beautiful.

The Process of Making Dull Tiles Shine

Although travertine is one of the longest lasting surfaces that can be installed in a home, time, harsh cleaners, and poor maintenance can result in dull or damaged surfaces. Even with careful maintenance, it will be necessary to occasionally restore tiling to bring back the original shine. Even older tiles that have never been filled can be revitalized using these methods.

Cleaning

For old, worn, and dull travertine, one of the most important steps towards shining the surface is performing a deep clean of each tile. In surfaces that have a filling that has been worn over time as well as surfaces that have never been filled, dirt, mold, soot, soap scum and other stains can become deeply embedded in every hole of the material. The surface of the stone can also become stained over time. Many of these problems can be fixed by hiring a professional to perform a deep clean and stain removal on the surface.

Once cleaned, it is important to reconsider some of the cleaning products that you have been using on the surface. Because travertine is a type of limestone, it can be susceptible to damage from any products that are acidic in nature. This can even include natural cleaning products that contain vinegar or lemon juice. Soap should also be avoided whenever possible as it can create residue in any low areas in the tile. In fact, the best cleaning product for your flooring is water, and other products should only be used in special circumstances.

Maintenance and Restoration

In some cases, it may be necessary to take a few extra steps of maintenance and restoration before polishing the surface. Settling in the home can cause uneven tiles, flooring can become cracked and damaged, and some tiles may even need to be replaced. These tiles will need to be replaced, repaired, and maintained before polishing can take place.

The finish on travertine tiles can either be matched or changed completely when refinishing the surface. The aesthetic of the room can be altered dramatically by the finish that is chosen, and this may be a change that you want to make before completing the project. It is also a good idea to consider sealing the tiles on a yearly basis to make the flooring easier to clean and maintain. Not all surfaces can be sealed, so be sure to contact us before moving forward.

When stones become cracked, uneven, or otherwise damaged, a grinding and lippage removal process can be performed to create an even surface while polishing travertine tile edges. This is done using diamond grinding technology. Getting rid of uneven tiles can instantly improve the appearance of the tile as well as prevent trips and falls. On occasion, tiles will be too damaged to repair in which case the individual tile can be removed and replaced. Because there are so many varying hues to the stone, extra precautions should be taken to match the color of the new tile to that of the old.

Polishing

After the tiles have been properly cleaned and maintained, the polishing process can begin. The first step is sanding down the surface to get rid of any remaining dirt, cracks, imperfections, and rough spots. This is called honing, and it will get rid of any signs of wear and tear that are on the surface of the stone.

The surface is then polished using a mixture of diamond-infused pads and polishing powders. The polishing process is fairly versatile and the sandpaper can be adjusted to create anything from a gleaming and glossy surface to something more muted and matte. Your technician for travertine tile Houston should know exactly which process to use for the look that you are trying to achieve. It is important to get the help of an experienced professional who will create a smooth surface that is easy to maintain.

A beautifully polished travertine stone surface can be an elegant and treasured part of any room in the home. Whether the tiling is new or has been there for many years, there are many techniques that can be used to take a dull surface and create a glamorous sheen. It is important to clean and maintain the tiles properly before polishing the stone. A professional will be able to find the perfect solution for your individual flooring and will be able to achieve a lasting result with the right process.

Stained concrete flooring is one of the most durable, long-lasting floors. It doesn’t require much maintenance to look bright and new for years. However, you’ll want to maintain its luster and durability for as long as possible. Our concrete staining Houston service has years of experience in floor maintenance and protection.

If your floor is severely damaged, we can help you repair it. For everyday maintenance, we suggest these guidelines.

Photo Credit: Concrete Camouflage

Protecting Stained Concrete Floors

The best way to preserve the color of stained concrete is to apply a sealant after staining. There are several types of sealants, such as acrylic, epoxy, and urethane. The sealant you choose will protect the stain’s coloring and reduce wear on the surface.

Consult a professional floor service before applying any sealant yourself, and make sure that the type of sealant you choose is compatible with the stain. Some sealants are meant for outdoor use only, and others work best indoors.

Staining is permanent, and the wrong type of sealer could damage or degrade the surface of your floor to a state that could be difficult to repair. Indoor floor sealant should not need replacing for several years if it is properly cared for and in a low-traffic area. A good floor wax on top of the sealant will protect your floor and keep it pristine for years. The surface should not need to be re-waxed more than once a year.

Any exterior floor should be re-sealed approximately once per year. A good sign that the floor needs to be re-sealed is when liquid spills appear to dissipate rather than puddle on the surface. A high-traffic area may require more frequent re-application of both sealant and wax.

Interior Cleaning

Interior concrete floors generally last for years and require very little upkeep, even in busy, active areas such as offices, public buildings, and industrial workplaces. To keep your stained concrete floor looking shiny and new, regularly remove dirt and grime from the surface by sweeping it off with a clean, dry dust mop or soft broom. This prevents harsh, dirty bristles dragging across the floor, which can scratch through the sealant and corrode the surface.

Spot-clean any liquid spills or noticeably dirty areas as soon as possible with a clean mop and warm, clean water mixed with a pH neutral cleaner. Mopping with dirty water or with a dirty mop head will only spread dirt around the floor, which could potentially corrode the surface. Some cleaners may react to the sealant, so don’t mix cleaners and follow your floorer’s instructions for best results. When the floor begins to feel or look grimy, or when sweeping no longer removes the dirt, mop the entire surface.

Interior Floor Protection

There are several ways to preserve the durability of your stained concrete floor apart from cleanliness.

Consider placing a rug on the floor if dirt is a persistent problem in specific areas, such as doorway entrances or frequently used walkways. The rug will catch the majority of the dirt and keep it off of the floor.

Some rugs, especially those with suction or rubber backing, can trap grime and moisture and hold it against the surface of the floor, causing staining or abrasions. To prevent this, place a breathable, non-slip rug pad underneath your rug.

Furniture with wheels, such as rolling chairs or tables, may cause noticeable damage to your floor, especially over a period of time. Consider placing these on a smooth, hard rug or similar protective surface.

Lift or wheel furniture instead of dragging it across the floor, as the legs and edges can scratch or even cut your floor. Protect your floor from furniture scrapes by placing protective pads underneath furniture legs, especially those with hard, sharp edges.

High-Traffic Floors

Stained concrete floors in high-traffic areas such as office, industrial, and public buildings require moderately more maintenance than residential floors.

Regularly sweep any dirt off the surface with a clean broom. For larger areas, use a professional floor cleaning machine with a soft floor pad. Clean up any spills by immediately spot-mopping with a clean mop and warm water mixed with a pH neutral cleaner. Mop the entire floor frequently to remove grime and maintain the luster of the floor. You may want to place a sturdy, industrial mat near the entrance or any other area that is often used. Make sure it is properly placed and safely secured, and regularly sweep underneath it to remove any dirt it traps.

If the floor is waxed, it will need to be re-waxed two or three times per year, depending on usage and wear. It may also need to be periodically re-sealed.

Exterior Stained Concrete

Exterior stained concrete is easily maintained by using a broom, leaf blower, or garden hose to remove any loose debris from the surface. Periodically clean the surface by mopping or spraying with an appropriate outdoor cleaner and clean water.

For hard-to-remove stains or grime, use a bristled wire brush and cleaner mixed with water. Be careful not to scrape too hard, or you risk damaging the surface. Exterior flooring will eventually need to be re-sealed, but how often and when depends on wear and usage. Consult your floorer to determine the best kind of sealant for your stained concrete floor.

Re-Staining

Concrete staining is permanent. The stain will bind to the concrete and create a color that cannot be removed. It becomes part of the concrete, so it won’t scrape or flake off. However, re–staining a concrete floor when the color has faded or staining over an existing color is possible. Concrete staining will not hide any imperfections or faults. In fact, it will expose them. This includes previously patched concrete, which can result in a distorted appearance if stained.

If you have questions about the condition of your floor and need advice, let us help you. We are experts in this field and will be able to help you make an informed decision about your stained concrete floor.

Epoxy floor coatings are extremely durable, which is why they’re frequently used in garages and other spaces that tend to take a lot of abuse. As a result, it doesn’t take a lot of work to keep garage floor epoxy in good condition and looking its best. But it does require regular maintenance and a willingness to clean up spills and other messes quickly.

At Cutting Edge Flooring Services we help epoxy garage floor Houston area residents install and maintain epoxy floors in premium condition. Here’s what we tell our customers to do in order to keep their floors looking great.

Photo Credit: LIFETIME EPOXY UTAH

Perform Regular Cleanings

The single most important thing you can do to keep your garage floor epoxy in like new condition is to mop it regularly. If you’re in your space frequently you should consider mopping once a week. For less frequent use, bi-weekly or once monthly is adequate.

Take a soft mop and run it over the surface of your floor. This helps keep dust and debris from accumulating and potentially sticking in unseen spills. A soft mop is ideal because you generally want to avoid hard bristles or other stiff cleaning materials that may scratch the epoxy surface.

However, if your epoxy floor has an anti-slip coating, a soft mop will likely snag on the grit and shred over time. In this case use a soft-bristled mop, which can handle the grit and also help remove grease and oils that might otherwise cling to the coating.

You also want to vacuum any seams every few months so that grime and debris don’t build up. Cleaning this out frequently removes it before dust and debris can mix with oils and grease, forming a dense, sticky gunk that is much harder to remove.

Clean Up Spills Quickly

Oil, solvents, chemicals and other liquids can stain, and potentially damage an epoxy floor if left on the ground too long. Clean them up quickly with a soft rag or a paper towel. Please use caution when cleaning up solvents or other corrosive chemicals. Larger spills can be cleaned up with a soft string mop or other soft, absorbent mop material.

Spot Clean Stains

Depending on the stain, extra work may be required to get it off the floor. It’s best to try the lowest impact cleaning methods first, and then step up the intensity when gentler methods fail. You can start with a stiff bristled deck brush and hot water, or a mild cleanser like Simple Green or clear ammonia. Be sure to dilute both of these with hot water.

If this doesn’t work, you can try using the scrubbing surface of a dish sponge and soft scrub. You want to avoid using any abrasive cleaners like Comet. These will certainly remove the stain, but they can also permanently scratch your garage floor epoxy.

When choosing a cleanser, you should also avoid acidic cleaners, as they can damage your epoxy and dull its shine. You should stay away from soap-based cleaners as well, as they can leave a hazy residue. This build-up can also make your floor more slippery and dangerous when it gets wet.

Heavy Cleaning

If you’re vigilant about cleaning spills quickly and mopping and vacuuming regularly, you should rarely need to do a heavy-duty cleaning. However, accidents can happen, and sometimes even the most motivated of us can fall behind in our maintenance duties.

If dirt and grime have built up on your epoxy floor to the point where a simply mopping isn’t enough, you’ll want to take a stronger approach.

First, sweep up any solid debris and loose dirt and dust. Then, using about five ounces of clear ammonia to a gallon of hot water, take a hard foam mop and scrub the floor, working the floor area by area. Rinse the mop into a second bucket of clean hot water. This keeps dirt out of your cleaning mixture, which avoids saturating your mop head with dirt and debris that could eventually begin scratching your garage floor’s surface.

In more serious cases you can use a mixture of one-part Simple Green to eight parts hot water. With a well-maintained garage floor epoxy, this should be sufficient to chew through any caked-on dirt.

Tips Between Cleanings

Remember that epoxy floors are tough and resilient, but they aren’t impervious to damage. It’s important to be cognizant of what you’re placing on the floor and protecting the surface when necessary. When using a jack, be sure to first place a piece of plywood under the metal. This helps distribute the car’s weight across a wider area and will prevent that weight from pressing metal from the jack straight into your epoxy floor.

This is good advice whenever you place something extremely heavy on the floor, particularly when the weight is concentrated on a few, narrow supports. Try not to drag heavy objects across your epoxy floor. Scratches are likely, particularly from objects with hard or sharp edges, or any sort of grit. If you’ve put chains on your tires, be sure to put something down to protect the floor before pulling your car into the garage.

This really isn’t rocket science. If it seems likely that a particular action could scratch or damage your epoxy coating, take steps to protect it. It’s better to be safe than sorry. It’s much better to waste time unnecessarily protecting your epoxy even if you didn’t need to than it is not taking the time to protect it and then regretting the mistake for the life of your floor. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

To Repair Real Damage, Turn to a Professional

Damage can happen even when you do everything right. If you find your floor is stained or damaged beyond your ability to repair it, give us a call. Here at Cutting Edge Floors Services, we know epoxy flooring inside and out. We have the tools and the know how to return your garage floor epoxy to its original luster, or, in extreme cases, replace it properly and affordably. Let us discuss your options with you.

Here’s a consumer question regarding their concern about a poultice leaving behind a bigger stain on marble.

A homeowner submitted the following question recently: “I had an oil stain on a marble surface and used a poultice of water and baking soda and left it on the stain for 24 hours. The result is that I now have a much darker stain which is now the size of where the paste was laid out. What would you suggest to remove what now appears to be a large water stain and etched surface? Blow dryer?”

The inquirer inaccurately named the problem a “stain,” but he understood correctly that what he was seeing was darkness from moisture that had wicked out beyond the original stained area, suggested by his question about using a blow dryer. This problem is normal and easy to resolve.

He also thought the marble had become etched from the poultice mixture. This so-called “etching” is another matter. Baking soda will not etch marble. It’s probable that what he was seeing was white residue left over from the baking soda. (If it were not, our first concern would be that he had scrubbed the baking soda and scratched the finish. If he had, then we would have needed to re-polish the area.)

Unsealed Stone Is Absorbent

Natural stone that is not sealed will not only allow a staining agent to penetrate, but it will absorb and stay wet for a while from the poultice application. This will cause the stone to appear darker. The effect can be likened to a pair of denim blue jeans. Any area on jeans that gets wet with water will appear darker than dry denim. It’s not a stain, and it will return to normal once it dries. Likewise, the darker stone technically is not stained, and will eventually dry out on its own, but there are ways to speed up the drying time.

Removing the Discoloration

We instructed our inquirer to spread cooking flour over the discoloration and allow it to dwell overnight. The flour would absorb the moisture, restoring the proper appearance to the stone underneath.

Does your stone need to be sealed?

There is a bigger issue here that needs to be addressed. If your natural stone needs to be sealed, it will absorb staining agents and moisture. In fact, a simple way to know if your stone is adequately sealed is to put a few drops of water on any areas that are used most often. Wait for a few minutes, then wipe the areas dry. If the surface of the stone does not darken, that means the stone is adequately sealed.

If your stone does need to be sealed, contact us to have it professionally cleaned and sealed.

Cloudy Countertops

Have you noticed a haze or cloudiness on the surface of your natural stone countertops? Natural stone countertops provide an elegant focal point for kitchens and bathrooms. But when the clarity of the finish is diminished by a haze or cloudiness, countertops quickly become an eyesore. There are a number of reasons why the problem develops. Here are the details about what causes this problem and what can be done to resolve it.

Improper Cleaning Products

People are often incorrectly advised to use window cleaner or soap water on countertops. Over time, a buildup of improper cleaning products can cause a haze or cloudiness to develop on the surface of the stone. Abrasive cleaners, such as scouring powder, can also damage the finish of a countertop. We always recommend pH-neutral, stone-safe cleaning products. If these products are not effective in removing the haze or cloudiness, it’s probably time to have your stone professionally cleaned and sealed or refinished.

Improper Cleaning Methods

Abrasive cleaning tools, just like abrasive cleaners, can destroy or damage the finish of natural stone countertops.

Oil-Based Spills

Oil-based spills that are not cleaned up right away can seep into the porous surface of the stone, causing the stone to develop a haze or cloudiness. Oil can be very difficult to remove on most stone. If it has dried on the surface, carefully use a sharp razor to scrape off the excess. Sprinkle a generous portion of poultice powder on the spill and let stand for 12-24 hours. Remove the dry poultice and prepare a solution of degreaser and water. Apply this solution to the spill and keep it wet for 30 minutes. Vacuum the solution up and blot the remainder with a clean white cloth. If the haze or cloudiness is still present, poultice with a solvent (commercial paint remover works well) and poultice powder.

Improper Sealer Application

Ideally, stone sealer is absorbed into the porous surface of the stone and does not affect the appearance of the finish at all. A haze or cloudiness can be caused by a stone sealer for a number of reasons. It may be because the wrong sealer is used. Sometimes a highly polished top doesn’t need to be sealed at all, therefore the sealer doesn’t absorb into the stone. Even if the stone does need to be sealed and the appropriate sealer is used, a haze or cloudiness can still develop if the sealer is improperly applied. A professional stone restoration contractor will need to resolve this situation.

Hard Water Deposits

Hard water deposits can cause a haze or cloudiness on the surface of natural stone. Sometimes, if the buildup is not too severe, it can be safely removed using pH-neutral, stone-safe cleaner. If not, a professional restoration contractor can restore the finish.

Feel free to contact us with questions or concerns about removing a haze or cloudiness from the surface of your natural stone countertops.

This is one of a series of articles written and published on behalf of Stone and Tile PROS Partners.

Granite is a popular countertop material because it is durable, resistant to scratches, chips, and heat, and relatively easy to maintain compared to other types of natural stone. However, some stones that are definitely not granite are being sold as if they were. Here are some ways you may be able to tell.

Faux Granite

Vinyl countertop films and laminates are often printed with a granite pattern, and quartz or solid surfaces are created to look like granite. These materials cannot duplicate the true appearance and durability of a natural granite slab.

If your countertops are already installed…

Perhaps you purchased a home with stone countertops already installed. An inspection of the color, pattern, and the appearance of the seams, as well as the porosity, may help you determine whether the material is granite.

Color & Pattern

If there is very little variation in the color and pattern, or if there are no natural imperfections, you may be looking at something other than true granite. If you see repeated patterns, then this is a strong indication of a man-made material.

Inspect the seams in the countertop. You should be able to see a change in the pattern. If you don’t, then the material is most likely not granite.

Porosity

You can check the porosity of material by putting a few drops of water on the surface. If it is granite, it should darken as the water is absorbed, unless, of course, the granite has been sealed.

If your countertops are not yet installed…

There are a couple of observations you can make in a fabricator slab yard that may help you determine whether a slab is genuine granite.

Sound

First, bring a small hammer or piece of metal with you. Gently tap the back end of the slab. If it is true natural stone, it will produce a ringing sound. Engineered stone contains synthetic resins and a tap on it will sound dull in comparison. Disclaimer: The only problem with this method is that the slab may be a real natural stone that is not actually granite. It may contain acid-sensitive minerals that will etch like marble.

Price

Second, pay attention to price. Real, quality granite is rarely ever inexpensive. If the cost per square foot is suspiciously lower than other dealers in your area, the material probably isn’t granite. And if it is granite, it probably isn’t a very good quality granite. You get what you pay for.

An Expert Opinion

We asked Fred Hueston, world-renowned natural stone expert, author of many books, instructional videos, and articles on stone installation, care, and restoration in the U.S. and abroad, and Chief Technical Director for surpHaces if there is any sure way to know whether a stone is really granite. He explains,

It can be hard to tell but there are some clues. If it does not scratch with a knife and it doesn’t etch with a mild acid it could be granite. However, there are other stones that react the same, like quartzite, for example. Any stone restoration contractor worth their weight in salt, or should I say, marble dust, should be able to tell the difference.

If It’s Not Granite

If you already have stone tops that are not holding up the way granite should or that prove to be something other than granite, you may not need to replace the stone. We can resolve a host of natural stone countertop problems and restore your countertops to a like new condition, as well as provide cost-effective protective solutions to keep them looking great.

This is one of a series of articles written and published on behalf of Stone and Tile PROS Partners.