Is the granite in your home a little worse for wear? Maybe you have noticed a crack in your granite countertop, and you’re thinking, “Wow, that is going to be an expensive remodel.”
While it’s true that the cost of granite and other natural stone materials can be expensive, the perk of splurging on granite for your home is that it is long-lasting with proper care and maintenance. Fortunately, there are stone care professionals out there who can help you keep your granite looking pristine and free from cracks and chips.
What Causes the Granite Surfaces in Your Home to Crack and Chip?
Granite is one of the hardest natural stones used in homes, but it can still crack or chip under the right conditions. Damage can come from stress, impact, installation problems, or natural weaknesses in the stone itself. Dropping something dense with heavy impact, like a cast-iron pan or metal appliance, onto an edge or corner can easily crack or chip your granite surface. Corners and narrow sections around sinks are especially vulnerable because they have less structural support, so they stress and flex more easily.
Granite is formed under geological pressure, and some slabs contain fissures or veins that are naturally weaker than the surrounding stone. These are often aesthetically harmless, but under stress, they may develop into visible cracks. Other causes of cracking and chipping can include excessive weight or pressure, house movement or foundation settling, sudden temperature changes (thermal shock), weak edges and thin profiles, bad maintenance, and improper sealing.
Professional Granite Crack Repair Services
Professional stone care workers provide granite crack repair services and can masterfully restore damaged stone countertops, vanities, floors, and other granite surfaces to make the crack structurally stable and far less noticeable. These experts can address hairline cracks, surface fractures, chipped edges and corners, seam separation, and sink rail cracks, and can even address broken sections of countertops.
A common service provided by granite restoration specialists is rusted rod repair, which usually involves cracking in front of or behind your sink. Rods that are installed to reinforce weaker sections of the stone around sink walls can be prone to rust. These embedded rods expand when they rust as water seeps in, causing corrosion (failed caulking is a likely culprit), and the pressure can eventually cause the granite to crack. These professionals will do an in-person assessment of damage before providing a quote, as some repairs can be more involved than others.
When to Call a Stone Care Professional
Small chips are usually repairable with epoxy or resin color-matching, while larger cracks may require professional stone repair and even reinforcement underneath the slab. That’s why it’s important to call the professionals early when the damage is still minor. When the crack starts growing and pieces become loose, it’s time to call in the stone care pros. Generally, calling the experts in to address issues sooner rather than later will make a big difference in cost.
Are you searching for professional granite crack repair services in the greater DC area? NOVA Stone Care has you covered. Our skilled team of stone care professionals has the know-how to get your granite surfaces looking like new. Contact us and get on our calendar today!
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