Granite Countertop & Floor Restoration in The Lakes, NV to Fix Scratching, Etching & Heat Damage

Granite continues to be a popular choice for homeowners due to its beauty and durability. Granite is extremely scratch-resistant, but that doesn’t mean it’s completely scratch-proof. How does granite rate in durability compared to other materials? The Mohs scale was developed in 1812 by German mineralogist Frederich Mohs. It’s a scale used to measure mineral hardness (1 – softest to 10 – hardest). Granite scores between 6 and 6.5, making it harder than marble but softer than quartzite, topaz gems, and diamonds. You would not scratch a granite surface if you were to rub a pumice stone across it. But if you were to strike the surface of it with a sharpened stainless-steel blade, at a certain angle, you might leave a mark behind. The corner of a diamond will scratch a granite surface because its mineral hardness sits at the top of the Mohs scale. Only materials harder than granite can cause scratches.

What Can Scratch Granite Countertops?

We already mentioned that a cut from a sharp steel blade can scratch granite. Dragging athletic cleats made of aluminum across granite floors can leave scratches behind. Steel wool of certain grades can leave scratches on granite surfaces. Broken glass can also scratch granite and strong sandpaper has also been known to scratch granite.

Granite Scratching VS Etching

Do you have a stain on your granite that just won’t go away no matter how hard you try? It might be etching. Etching is a dulling of the surface that looks like a stain and is a chemical reaction that occurs when substances seep through the tiny pores of a stone surface. This can happen with certain household cleaners or exposure from an acid like vinegar, fruit juice, soda, wine, or ammonia. You can easily prevent etching by only using stone-safe granite cleaner on your granite surfaces. You can also avoid etching by having your stone surfaces sealed regularly.

How to Fix Deep Scratches in Granite

If you find a scratch on your granite, first make sure that it’s not a stain. You can use a granite polish to buff the scratch. This is a good way to remove surface level scratches. Any scratches that have been repaired need to be sealed and polished afterwards. Deeper scratches, etching and other forms of granite damage will need to be repaired by professionals.

Granite Heat Resistance

Granite is extremely heat resistant, but surfaces can become damaged by hot pots and pans. This happens because the sealant on top of the granite is not as heat resistant as the granite itself. Placing hot dishes, pots and pans on your granite surface can leave black marks behind and can cause thermal shock and cracks. Heat can also damage the sealer and make the stone more susceptible to stains and acid damage. Always use trivets or hot pads to prevent any heat damage.