Don't Panic When Spills Happen on Granite Countertops It's time for family gatherings and holiday cooking. When things are hectic and kitchens are full of family and friends, the inevitable may happen. Wine glasses get knocked over, grease gets splattered, bottles of oil drip down the sides and leave rings. You get the picture. Stuff happens! But there is no need to panic! Here are a few tips to minimize the damage: 1. Wipe up spill with paper towels. 2. Fill a large bowl with warm water and dish soap. 3. Soak a sponge with solution and blot area picking up remaining spilled item. If this solves your problem then you can continue enjoying your holiday gathering. If a residual stain remains, see the following: 1. Saturate area with soap&water solution, leaving it to dwell (soak in). Continue this process for several applications. Do not allow to dry. Leave saturated sponge over stain for 30 minutes. 2. Sponge up area, and dry with towel. Check to see if stain has been removed. 3. If residual stain remains, please check out the following solutions HERE For additional references, please see our BLOG http://blog.stonecareonline.org/?p=213 ...read more
By StoneCareOnline December 19, 2012
We receive calls and emails about new installations wondering about industry standards for Joint Width and face Lippage on Granite&Marble countertops. The Marble Institute of America is the leading industry organization that sets standards for the dimensional stone industry. I have posted their specifications on our website See Kink While these standards are helpful and are a fallback for industry minimums, industry leaders are always trying to achieve the "Invisible Seam". With tools like the Seam Phantom, and with special techniques to "Face Polish" joints, the goal of an invisible seam is approaching. In recent years the barriers of entry into the countertop fabrication business have fallen. There are many "contractors" who buy a few tools and claim to be professional stone fabricators and installers. True professionals are licensed, insured, bonded and are members of industry associations like the MIA, the Stone Fabricators Alliance or other groups that promote higher industry standards. As a prospective customer, take the time to thoroughly research your fabricator to insure you obtain a quality installation. Granite and marble countertops are an expensive investment, and you need to be completely satisfied with your installation. You will be enjoying it for many years. Or in the case of some, wishing you had found a more qualified professional. Torin Dixon is a 35 year industry veteran and owner of StoneCareOnline .com ...read more
By StoneCareOnline August 30, 2012
There is a lot of disagreement and misinformation regarding the need to seal granite, particularly in the age of "Resin Sealed" slabs processed in the factory. With more than 35 years of industry knowledge, and hundreds of visits to granite factories around the world, I set out to investigate this question by going to the source of the resin industry. Read more from this article published in a leading trade publication....more ...read more
By StoneCareOnline August 21, 2012
A flair for interior decorating and design offers a fulfilling and lucrative career as an interior decorator and designer. You can acquire the necessary skills that will bring you success in these fields by pursuing courses at interior decorating and design schools, many of which offer online courses.... ...read more
A textured ceiling can provide a stylish and dramatic backdrop to a room and provide the perfect foil to presenting your prized art pieces. Yet, the trick is not only knowing what color paints to select to achieve a textured look, but also to know what painting method to employ to best create the look... ...read more