Granite changing colors and it is sealed +

[deemaxx]

Approximately 2 years ago I bought granite for my kitchen counters at Lowes. They had a fabricator come out and install the counters. We have sealed it  twice and I checked it the other day and all indications are that the sealer is still working.

There are 3 concerns:
1. The color has started turning orange on the counter where my dishwasher is installed. I only use my dishwasher once a week, so it would have been hard to tell if that was the damaging product. The edge near the dishwasher has also cracked.
 
2. On the other side of the kitchen, The granite has always felt gritty. I can wipe it off and 10 minutes later there is dust again.
 
3. On that same side I noticed yesterday that there is a crack and it is running like an artery. I am afraid it will crack all the way through. We do not use that side of the counter for much. No heavy objects, etc.
 
I don't know what to tell Lowes. The counter is probably not under warranty anylonger. But I feel it was installed improperly.
Do you have any suggestions to my problems.
 
Thank you,
 
 

[Mark D.]

1) The color - is it rust? If it is we carry Alpha's derusting poultice and that usually does a great job.

2) This deflowering has come up before. According to the MIA it is swerf that has collected in the slab from when the slabs were originally cut and that piece was in the way of the swerf stream. I have a customer that had the same problem with Typhoon Bordeaux Granite. When he cleaned it with just water the counter would be silky smooth and then a day or two later the grit would be back. Here is what worked for him:
First get a wet vac and vacuum it as well as you can sucking out as much of the grit as you are able to. Then get Tenax AntiPol which is a water based resin. Mix it up and roll a very thin coat on with a paint roller. Allow it to dry and buff it with extra fine steel wool. Do a second coat the same way and let it sit. If the grit comes back do a third coat if necessary and that should seal in all the grit that is coming loose from the slab.
Call me for the AntiPol when you are ready. My number is 800-289-6834.

3) Seal the crack with penetrating epoxy to prevent it from getting latger. Top coat with poly resin or epoxy when it is cured to make the crack level with the surface.
http://www.defusco.com/Glues:-Epoxy,-Polyester,-etc.-Epoxy-for-Natural-Stone/c82_500/p1982/STONEWELD-CRACK-FILLER-EPOXY-24oz/product_info.html

Glad to be of service,
Mark

[deemaxx]

1) The color - is it rust? If it is we carry Alpha's derusting poultice and that usually does a great job.

2) This deflowering has come up before. According to the MIA it is swerf that has collected in the slab from when the slabs were originally cut and that piece was in the way of the swerf stream. I have a customer that had the same problem with Typhoon Bordeaux Granite. When he cleaned it with just water the counter would be silky smooth and then a day or two later the grit would be back. Here is what worked for him:
First get a wet vac and vacuum it as well as you can sucking out as much of the grit as you are able to. Then get Tenax AntiPol which is a water based resin. Mix it up and roll a very thin coat on with a paint roller. Allow it to dry and buff it with extra fine steel wool. Do a second coat the same way and let it sit. If the grit comes back do a third coat if necessary and that should seal in all the grit that is coming loose from the slab.
Call me for the AntiPol when you are ready. My number is 800-289-6834.

3) Seal the crack with penetrating epoxy to prevent it from getting latger. Top coat with poly resin or epoxy when it is cured to make the crack level with the surface.
http://www.defusco.com/Glues:-Epoxy,-Polyester,-etc.-Epoxy-for-Natural-Stone/c82_500/p1982/STONEWELD-CRACK-FILLER-EPOXY-24oz/product_info.html

Glad to be of service,
Mark

Mark, Thanks for all your help today. I will buy the drano and try it sometime this weekend. You did say 25% draino and 75% water correct? I will also take photos and send them to you. I appreciate you taking your valuable time talking me thru this process.

[Mark D.]

I get this problem more and more. Not an hour after you and I spoke a gentleman named Mike told me he was reading this post and we discussed the problem and solution with him.
Add 25% water to the liquid drano and put it on the "stains". Cover it with wet paper towels and then saran wrap and let it sit there overnight.
Mark

[deemaxx]

Hi Mar:

I was not able to attach larger photos here so I emailed you from my yahoo address with attachments. I'm off to by drano now. I will let you know what happens.

Approximately 2 years ago I bought granite for my kitchen counters at Lowes. They had a fabricator come out and install the counters. We have sealed it  twice and I checked it the other day and all indications are that the sealer is still working.

There are 3 concerns:
1. The color has started turning orange on the counter where my dishwasher is installed. I only use my dishwasher once a week, so it would have been hard to tell if that was the damaging product. The edge near the dishwasher has also cracked.
 
2. On the other side of the kitchen, The granite has always felt gritty. I can wipe it off and 10 minutes later there is dust again.
 
3. On that same side I noticed yesterday that there is a crack and it is running like an artery. I am afraid it will crack all the way through. We do not use that side of the counter for much. No heavy objects, etc.
 
I don't know what to tell Lowes. The counter is probably not under warranty anylonger. But I feel it was installed improperly.
Do you have any suggestions to my problems.
 
Thank you,
 
 

[Mark D.]

I am posting up your pictures so we can get some other opinions. I cannot see the grit of course. The hairline crack - are they just surface cracks or does it go deep into the stone? I would repair this.














Mark

[deemaxx]

I am posting up your pictures so we can get some other opinions. I cannot see the grit of course. The hairline crack - are they just surface cracks or does it go deep into the stone? I would repair this.














Mark

The crack is deep enough to get a fingernail caught on it if you rub over it with your thumb. You can enlarge the photos thru windows and the crack is the one iwth my hand in the photo. The grit, I tried to take a photo with the grit, but you couln't really see it. I am more concerned right now about the color change.  I am going to try the drano tonight, I'll let you know what happens. There is a huge difference in color over the dishwasher as you can see. What do you think is causing it? Thanks for posting the photos for other opinions. You said there is an epoxy that I can use for the crack correct? When I order the sealer, I will order that too. Thanks Mark you are a great person helping me like this.

[deemaxx]

Good morning Mark:



Well I tried teh Drano and had it there for 12 hours. Sorry to say it did not change anything. The color did not move at all.



So what is my next option?



Diann

[Stone Dude]

when stone is wet, it gets darker. steam from the dishwasher can possibly cause this if it is a very porous stone. steam from a dishwasher can also cause cracks if the counter was not installed properly. i can not htink of anything else other than. i wish you were closer i would come take a look.

[deemaxx]

when stone is wet, it gets darker. steam from the dishwasher can possibly cause this if it is a very porous stone. steam from a dishwasher can also cause cracks if the counter was not installed properly. i can not htink of anything else other than. i wish you were closer i would come take a look.

Thanks you for your response. I thought maybe the dishwasher needed som kind of sealing. It is getting very dark and ugly over the dishwasher. If you look to the left of it in a few of the photos, I kept a glass cutting board next to the stove top, and it is the original color under it. The crack is actually on the other side not near the dishwasher. I have contacted Lowes, but they have not called me back as yet. I wish I knew someone in the area who could look at it.

[Stone Dude]

if i didnt ask already, where  are you located?

[deemaxx]

if i didnt ask already, where  are you located?

I live in Houston, Tx

[Stone Dude]

that is far. this is a wierd one, im sorry i cant be of more help. my only guess is that it has somehting to do with the moisture from the dishwasher, and the crack could possibly be a natural fissure, unless it is getting bigger i wouldnt worry about it.

i would pull the dishwasher out just for the heck of it to see if there is moisture. if there is, then it can be dealt with and it may solve your problem.

[deemaxx]

that is far. this is a wierd one, im sorry i cant be of more help. my only guess is that it has somehting to do with the moisture from the dishwasher, and the crack could possibly be a natural fissure, unless it is getting bigger i wouldnt worry about it.

i would pull the dishwasher out just for the heck of it to see if there is moisture. if there is, then it can be dealt with and it may solve your problem.

What kind of barrier should be installed if it is the moisture from the dishwasher? Should I let Lowes deal with this?  The crack is getting longer not wider.
Thanks for your help.

[Mark D.]

Definitely get Lowe's involved. If they say it is out of warranty you will need to treat the crack with a penetrating epoxy to bond the crack and keep it from getting larger still.
Cameron, did you see the square where the glass was? If the glass cutting board was on top and the water vapor from the dishwasher is coming from the bottom how come that square did not get darker?

Glad to be of service,
Mark