How to use granite countertops for small kitchen

Small kitchens are cute and cozy, but they can be a challenge to remodel.

One of the best materials to use in remodeling is granite. This is because granite countertops come with plenty of perks such as:

Easy to maintain
Heat resistant
Easy to install
The countertops increase the home’s value
They are beautiful to look at

Besides using granite as it’s the best material for the countertops, there are plenty of other tips you can use as you are doing the remodeling, so you give your small kitchen an inviting look and at the same time make the kitchen appear large. Some of these tips include:

Embrace minimalism

Since the kitchen is small, the last thing you want is to have clutter all over. For your kitchen to appear organized, neat, and spacious, have a minimalistic theme. Here you need to have as little as possible on the countertop.

Being a minimalist also means you have as basic accessories as possible. For example, have basic lights, colors, appliances, and so on. Don’t keep huge and fancy appliances in your small kitchen.

Play around with the utensils

You can use the utensils to create the illusion of space and, at the same time, use them to make your kitchen appear stylish and practical. Some of the excellent ideas you can use to your advantage include: using compact containers or magnetic wall strips to mount your knives.

When choosing utensils, choose matching sets in light colors such as stainless steel and colorful ceramic. You should then arrange the kitchen space so that you can easily stack everything and have easy access to it.

Be strategic in your shelving and storage.

Your shelves and storage impact not only the look of the kitchen but also its practicality. Thankfully, you can use plenty of shelving and storage tips to give your kitchen the look you want. Some of these tips include:

Install floating shelves in your kitchen
Use storage helpers such as fixing racks to the inside of the cabinet doors
Install pull out workspaces
Find a new area for your washing machine
Install smart storage spaces in the awkward corners of the kitchen
If your kitchen is U-shaped, install a kitchen island. Since your kitchen is small, install the island smartly and uniquely to complement the look of the kitchen.

Lighten up and declutter the kitchen

If you have been researching small kitchens and small spaces, in particular, you must have learned that you need to keep the spaces neat and bright to give the impression of space. And you need to do the same for your kitchen.

Get rid of any clutter that can make your kitchen look disorganized and small. This includes getting rid of the storage cans, appliances, cleaning supplies, and any other thing you aren’t using.

Besides installing bright lights that brighten up the area, also remember to paint the kitchen a brighter color to lighten up the kitchen.

Choose the right countertop color.

Granite is one of the best materials you can install in your kitchen, but you shouldn’t install any color you come across—you need to be strategic about how you go about it. Some of the best granite colors to install in your home include:

Steel grey
Pure white
Absolute black
Santa Cecilia
Andromeda white
Black pearl
Crema Caramel
And many others

Black is an excellent color, but it works best for large kitchens. While this is the case, it doesn’t mean you can’t install it in your small kitchen. All you have to do is work with your granite countertop installers Raleigh and pair it with a brighter color. For example, you can install black granite and pair it with white cabinets.

If you aren’t sure about the right color you should go for, get the input of a professional to guide you through.

How much should you expect to pay for granite countertops for small kitchens?

The cost of the countertops depends on several factors, such as the type of granite you are installing. For example, it will cost you less installing tile granite than solid slab granite. It will also cost you less if you install a lower-grade granite.

You should work closely with your contractor and find the ideal granite for your kitchen and budget.

Guide On Replacing Kitchen Countertops On Budget

If you are thinking about undertaking countertop replacement, the cost of replacing the countertops might be an issue, especially if you don’t have a lot of money. The cool thing is you don’t need a lot of money to replace the countertop as there are plenty of other options you can use.

To help you out, here is a guide on replacing kitchen countertops on a budget:

Painting the countertops

Are your countertops simply old-looking? You don’t have to replace them as you don’t have the money to do it. Instead, you should simply paint them.

Begin with sanding the countertops with a pad sander to scuff up the surfaces to make it easy for the primer and paint to adhere.

When choosing sandpaper, be cautious of the one you go to. As a rule of thumb, avoid sandpaper with rough grit as it will leave deep scratches that will show through the newly painted surface, and you don’t want this.

When it comes to painting, avoid the brush, especially you are new at it, as you will leave unsightly brush marks. Instead of the brush, use spray paint and sealer.

You can also use a dense sponge roller to apply the primer and paint, then seal the paint with four coats of polyurethane to protect the finish.

Cover the countertops

If the countertops are extremely out of shape, you should consider covering them with different materials. You can use fabric, wood veneer or metal. It all depends on you and the results you are looking for.

If you don’t have money to hire a professional to help with the covering, choose an easy covering method such as using fabric or paper that you can even do by yourself.

When covering the countertops using fabric or paper, ensure that you use a 6-inch dense foam roller instead of a brush, then cover the surface with several coats of polyurethane sealer.

Begin with washing the fabric to preshrink it, remove the sizing, and carefully place it on the countertops.

Use countertop remnants

Using countertop remnants can save you a lot of money, and the beauty is the remnants are easy to find. In fact, all you need to do is to visit the countertop discount shops, and you will find them at a very low price. You will find them free in some cases as some countertop shops are desperate to get rid of them.

Some of the best remnants to go for are quartz, marble or granite. For the best deal, avoid remnants in a bundle, so when you are in the stores, avoid the remnants that are placed together with the slabs they came with.

Install butcher block countertops

Butcher block countertops are cheap, and they give your home a cottage feel. You can also install them by yourself without a lot of specialized skills.

When you are shopping for butcher block countertops, go for butcher block slabs. While the countertops might not be selected for quality, they are easy to install, and with basic skills, you can biscuit the joints together, and you have a beautiful kitchen countertop.

The countertops are also designed to hide imperfections, so even if you make a few mistakes, you are sure that the countertops won’t show these flaws.

To keep the countertops looking spectacular, finish them with food-grade oil or polyurethane.

Install laminate countertops

Laminate countertops have been around for a long time, and they are often the go-to countertop materials for people working with small budgets. Like butcher block, laminate gives your house a good look at a small cost, and they are easy to install even with basic construction skills.

You should note that unlike before when you had to settle for flat edges when you chose laminate countertops, modern advances have made it possible to go for specialty edges that give the countertops an upscale look.

Install granite countertops

Many people believe that granite countertops Raleigh are high-end and unreachable, but this isn’t the case. While some granite counters are expensive, it’s not the case across the board.

When you are operating on a tight budget, go for obvious colors such as white and green. As a rule of thumb, avoid rare colors such as red as the countertops will be too expensive.

Why Is Granite So Popular?

If you have been searching for kitchen countertops, you must have realized that everyone recommends you go for granite countertops.

Why is granite so popular? You must be wondering, right? Well, there are plenty of reasons for this. The most common ones being:

Granite is durable

Granite is one of the most popular countertop materials, and if you take good care of it and protect it from cracks, chips, dings, and scratches, it will last for years.

One way to keep your countertops in good shape for a long time is to seal them. You should seal the surfaces the first thing after installation, then once every one year. You can do the sealing by yourself but for best results, let a professional help you out.

The key to getting the most from the sealing is to use a high-quality-sealing product, preferably specifically designed for granite countertops.

Granite stays clean

No, we are not saying that granite will self-clean itself. Since granite is tough, it easily shields itself from mold, mildew, and bacteria, so as long as you have taken good care of the material and there are no cracks, and you routinely seal it, you won’t have to worry about mold growing on the surfaces.

Every piece of granite is unique.

Given that granite is a natural stone, all the granite pieces are unique, meaning that you won’t find any two similar slabs when you go to a countertop store.

The unique nature of the countertops means that when you buy a given slab, you are sure that there is no one else in the world with an exact similar slab. This makes you feel unique, doesn’t it?

The distinctive nature of granite also means that you can find all types of countertop colors you might be interested in. So, whether you fancy black, pink, silver, white, or even green countertops, you will find them in the countertop store.

Granite countertops are form-fitting.

This means that granite easily attains your intended shape without you having to put in a lot of work. Using wood countertops as an example, to attain your intended shape you have to sand down the edges after cutting them, which can be a lot of work.

This isn’t the case with granite countertops that don’t have a lot of imperfections after cutting. Since the granite edges are much smoother after cutting, you don’t need to put in a lot of work to attain your desired shape.

The result is a better-looking countertop that is easier to install.

You can repair granite counters.

It’s true granite is tough, but this doesn’t mean that it’s indestructible. Now and then, granite will develop cracks and chips that give the countertops a beaten-up look.

Should you remove the countertops and dispose of them due to tense imperfections? Absolutely not, as you can fix them using DIY granite epoxy resin.

All you need to do is to buy the resin from your local store and apply it. The beauty is you don’t need to hire a professional to help you apply it—you can easily do it by yourself, even with no home improvement experience.

Granite instantly increases your home value.

If you have been house shopping lately, you must have realized that houses with granite surfaces tend to sell at a higher price. This is because these houses have a higher perceived value. And you can justify it as the kitchens and bathrooms look stunning.

While the countertops will increase your home value, don’t go at it blindly. If you are simply revamping your house to sell, don’t install premium and unique granite countertop colors such as red and others, as you won’t recoup your money. The reason for this is because the unique slabs go at ultra-high prices than the potential house buyer is willing to pay for.

To ensure you don’t lose your money, work with experienced and knowledgeable granite contractors Durham to advise you on the best slabs to install.

Granite countertops are a great choice.

If you are looking to install new countertops in your home, seriously consider granite. The material is classy, timeless, natural-looking and a perfect fit for any home.

Does Black Granite Need To Be Sealed?

On a casual look, black granite countertops appear tough and different from the other granite stones. And due to this, you will hear many homeowners asking, does black granite need to be sealed?

The truth is other than the color, there is nothing unique about black granite counters, so you will need to seal them like any other granite counters.

How does the granite sealant work?

Also known as an impregnator, the granite sealant is made of a resin dissolved in water or petroleum-based solvent. When you apply it on the porous granite surface, it creates a film that gets to the inner layers of the stone and fills the pores, and when the solvent or water evaporates from the mixture, the resin hardens, creating a tough barrier that liquids, dirt, bacteria and other materials can’t easily pass through.

Upon properly sealing the countertops, you keep the spills on the surface, which gives you time to clean the surface before the liquids can seep into the stone and stain it.

Although the granite sealant creates an effective barrier, it’s not foolproof. This means that if you leave liquids on the countertops long enough, they will seep through the resin barrier and stain your expensive countertops. To prevent this from happening, make it a habit to wipe off the spills as soon as they happen.

How often should you seal the countertops?

For maximum protection, seal the surfaces at the time of installation, then every six months to one year thereafter. Sometimes you may seal the surfaces more frequently if you use the counters more frequently.

You should note that even with frequent sealing, you shouldn’t let the liquid spills stay on the countertops in the event of a spillage. Instead, move with haste and get rid of them immediately before they start seeping into the deeper layers.

Besides getting rid of spills, also make it a habit to clean granite countertops regularly. And you don’t have to be fancy about it. A simple washcloth or sponge and a gentle soap and water will get it done.

After cleaning the surfaces, dry them thoroughly with a clean, dry towel. Regardless of how clean you want the countertops to be, don’t use harsh abrasives or acidic solutions as they will dull and scratch the surfaces instead.

It’s common for bacteria to adhere to the countertop pores. To prevent the bacteria from getting to your food, make it a habit to disinfect the surfaces at least once a week.

There are plenty of granite disinfectants in the market you can use, so avoid using bleach and other chemicals to disinfect the countertops. If you have to use bleach, dilute it enough, then rinse it thoroughly after application.

Even with the best care, it’s common for stains to happen. When they come about, remove them using a baking soda and water paste and gently rub it into the stain using a soft cloth. For stubborn stains, you may have to repeat the process a few times.

Who should apply the sealant?

Although you can apply the sealant by yourself and protect your countertops, avoid doing the work, especially if you have never done it before. Instead, let a professional help you out.

An experienced contractor will apply the sealant evenly, so it covers the entire surface from all sides. The contractor will also recommend the best sealant for the work.

Like other products in the market, there are many types of sealants you can go for. For the sealer to protect your countertops for a long time, you need to ensure its high quality and doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals that can cause irritation or emit strong odors.

Avoid any sealer containing harsh chemicals that might damage the countertops. An ideal sealant should be high quality and gentle enough, so you don’t have to worry that the granite contractors NC you hired will get hurt when applying it.

A good quality sealer will also provide you with the liquid, dirt, and bacteria protection you are looking for. The sealer also won’t give off an offensive smell after application making your house uncomfortable to live in.

What are Corian countertops?

Most people know about granite, marble, and quartz countertops, but there are plenty of other countertop materials you should know about. For example, you should know about Corian countertops.

Corian is the brand name of a solid surface countertop created by DuPont. These countertops are made from a natural mineral blend and acrylic polymer composed of Alumina Trihydrate. Although the countertops mimic the appearance of a stone, they have several distinct properties that make them great countertop choices.

Corian countertops pros and cons

Like other countertops, Corian countertops have their good and bad sides.

Pros

Affordable

Compared to granite, quartz, marble, and other countertops in the market, Corian countertops are much cheaper, making them affordable for most people.

They conduct electricity

This is a unique feature that you won’t find in most countertop materials. While this feature might sound gimmicky to most homeowners, it’s real, and you can work with your technicians and install it on your countertops making it possible to charge your phone wirelessly on the countertops.

While this feature might not be attractive to most homeowners, it comes in handy to those that love cooking while reading recipes on their phones or iPads.

If you are thinking about installing this feature on your countertops, you should note that it will cost you, and you will need to give your countertops special care.

It’s non-porous

Unlike marble and granite, Corian countertops are non-porous, meaning that wine, water, and other liquids won’t easily seep through when you spill on them. This makes the countertops easy to maintain and gives you peace of mind that stains won’t easily come about.

The non-porous nature of the countertops also means that you won’t have to keep sealing the countertops to keep them impermeable to liquids.

Cons

Corian isn’t durable.

Although Corian is affordable, it doesn’t have a long life. This means that when you install it, you will have to replace it several times in your lifetime, and as you can guess, this makes the countertop expensive to have.

One of the reasons the countertop has a short life is because it’s prone to scratches and heat damage, so when you consistently place hot pots on it, it gets damaged, and you have to replace it.

How to maintain Corian countertops

Like other countertops in the market, the key to extending the life of Corian countertops is to take good care of them. How do you do this? Here is how to go about it:

Clean the countertops routinely.

Like other countertops, you have to clean the countertops to keep them looking good. The beauty is you don’t have to be fancy how you go about it. Clean the countertops with dish soap and water to eliminate everyday dirt, grime, and food residues.

Once you are done, dry the countertops with a soft cloth to prevent hard water marks and streaks from forming. The soft cloth also makes the countertops look glossy.

For stubborn dirt, get rid of it using an ammonia-based spray cleaner. When buying the cleaner, pay close attention to the packaging and ensure you aren’t buying a glass or window cleaner. While these have ammonia, they will leave streaks on your countertops, and you don’t want this.

To prevent hard water marks and stains, make it a habit to clean spills as soon as they happen.

Regularly polish the countertops.

Corian countertops come with a semi-gloss, matte, and high gloss finish that you can easily maintain by regularly polishing them. While there isn’t a countertop that will give off the same shiny look you find in granite, you can buff and enhance the look of the countertop with glossy finishes.

All you need to do is spray the polish on the countertops, then buff with a dry, soft cloth.

Protect the countertops from damage

As mentioned above, the reason Corian countertops don’t last as long as granite countertops Raleigh and other countertop materials is because they are easily damaged, so you should protect them from damage.

One way to do it is to protect them from hot pots and pans using oven mitts, trivets, and thick towels. You also should avoid cutting directly on the countertops or sitting on them.

4 Problems with Quartz Countertops

Although quartz has its perks, such as beautiful appearance and durability, it also has its unpleasant side. To help you out, here are 4 of the most common problems with quartz countertops:

They discolor

When you visit many countertop stores, the salespeople move with haste to point out that quartz doesn’t stain so you don’t need to give a lot of care to it. While this is true, it’s not the entire truth.

Quartz is ground down into a fine powder and then mixed with resins before it’s reformed into a countertop. Even though the stone itself is resistant to stains, the resins used to make the countertop vary in stain resistance from one manufacturer to another.

This means that if you buy the wrong type of countertop, you will have to deal with stains hence the countertops requiring almost the same care as granite.

Most countertop stains result from spills, but these aren’t the only things you need to worry about. Quartz counters change their color when exposed to direct sunlight so if your house has large windows allowing a lot of sunlight in, you have to keep closing and opening the drapes to keep the sun out.

Also, the color changes mean you can’t use the countertops outdoors or in grilling spaces.

The countertops have also been shown to stain due to hard water exposure. The iron, magnesium, and calcium in the water leave unsightly deposits on quartz that sometimes come off but sometimes they don’t.

They are expensive to install

Quartz surfaces don’t come cheap so if you are operating on a tight budget, you should look for other options. The reason for the high cost is due to the process involved in their installation. The process involves:

Fabrication: The contractors cut and smooth the slab to the needed shape and size. The larger and more complicated the shape is, the more expensive it’s going to be so if you are looking to save money, you should go for a simple design.

Support addition: If there are areas on the countertops that don’t have cabinets or appear weak, the contractors install extra support on them. The purpose of the extra support is to reduce the risk of the countertops breaking or cracking.

The contractors can install the supports in different ways. They can add extra wooden beams to the wall or secure them close to the cabinets.

Leveling: The purpose of leveling is to reduce the risk of the countertops cracking. The contractors can raise or lower the countertops or cabinets depending on the needs.

They are not resistant to heat

Quartz itself is highly resistant to heat, but the resins used in making the countertops aren’t. This means that placing a hot pan or baking dish directly on the countertops will cause them to have a white discoloration or a cloudy appearance.

To keep your countertops in top shape and avoid damaging them, avoid exposing the countertops to temperatures exceeding 300 degrees Fahrenheit. To ensure that you don’t damage the countertops, always use a hot pad or trivet instead of placing the hot items directly on the surfaces.

When it comes to cutting on the countertops, don’t cut directly on the surfaces. Instead, have a cutting board in place, as the countertops are prone to scratches.

They tend to have ugly seams

When you hire inexperienced contractors to install the countertops for you, they don’t put the slabs together as well as they should and as a result, you have ugly seams that ruin the appearance of the countertops.

Installing the countertops isn’t DIY friendly

Installing quartz countertops is complex thus not fun especially if you love engaging in DIY projects. Although there are easier to install slabs in the market that you can go for, they too require specialized tools to properly install them.

Moving the countertops is also a problem as they are too heavy. Due to this, you have no way out other than to hire professional contractors to install your quartz kitchen countertops Durham.

When hiring the professionals, ensure they are experienced enough. They also should be authorized to practice in your local area. It also doesn’t hurt hiring insured contractors.

4 Disadvantages of Granite Countertops

Granite counters are undoubtedly the most popular countertop materials, and every new homeowner dreams of installing them in their home. Unfortunately, it’s not all hunky dory as the countertops have their flaws. Is this your first time you are thinking about installing the countertops? Here are 4 disadvantages of granite countertops you should know about:

They are highly inconsistent.

The countertops are natural, so you can’t expect them to be the same but granite takes the inconsistency to a whole new level.

First, what is referred to as granite in the stone yard and what you purchase for your kitchen isn’t always granite. Many stones are referred to as commercial granite. Meaning a group of stones quarried for use on countertops and share similar characteristics such as high levels of mica, quartz, silica, and feldspar.

True granite is made through volcanic activity where the molten rock cools beneath the earth’s surface. In some cases, the stones labeled and sold as granite aren’t actually igneous rock. Some are dolomites, breccias, and conglomerate stones. All of which are metamorphic or sedimentary rocks.

The granite’s significant inconsistencies mean that there is no standard hardness value, grading, durability, or maintenance. The inconsistency also means that you sometimes have stones that are porous, weak, soft, and others that are so dense such that even thinking about sealing them is wrong.

When you are in the stores making the purchase, all commercial granite is sold and treated equally, so it’s hard to tell what you are buying. Due to this, it becomes an issue of luck. You can buy a soft, weak stone or a tough one that will last your entire lifetime.

To increase your chances of buying a high-quality stone, involve experts. As you are doing your shopping, hire a granite contractor to accompany you to the stores. The contractor will help you determine how strong the countertop is and when it comes to the granite installation, you won’t waste time finding another installer.

Granite counters have plenty of fissures and pits

Since it’s natural, granite tends to have plenty of natural fissures or pits on its surface. Some of the fissures are harmless, cosmetic cracks or small indentations in the stone, but others are lethal and could actually weaken the countertops’ structure and integrity.

If you are wondering what fissures and pits are, fissures are natural cracks that occur on the stone, and they often occur where two minerals meet. On the other hand, Pits are small holes or indentations in the stone, which often come about when a weaker particle breaks free.

In most cases, it’s hard to tell the nature of a fissure until it opens up or forms a wider crack. Even professionals can’t tell whether the fissure or pit will worsen with time.

Thankfully, most companies apply a resin that makes the countertops stronger and hides the fissures. This means that when you polish the countertop, you cause the light to bounce off the countertop, which comes in handy at hiding the fissures, pits, and other imperfections.

The countertops come with too many color variations

Although the color variations might be a plus for some people as it means more countertop options to choose from, it can be a negative if one section of the stone is significantly different from the rest. Or you have a countertop that has a significant shift in color or pattern from one end of the stone to the next.

Due to the color variations, you should be ultra-cautious when purchasing as the color might look great at the store but be awful when you bring it home.

Before you commit to buying large countertop slabs, first carry a small sample to your home and see how the slab looks in the house. Only proceed with the purchase if you like how the countertop looks.

The countertops don’t have the same durability.

Make no mistake about it. Some granite counters are incredibly durable and will even last several generations, but others, such as those shipped from China, are weak and won’t last long enough. In fact, these stones will sag over time if you don’t support them.

To extend the life of the kitchen countertops Durham, support them on the kitchen islands, overhangs, desk, and other areas.

What Can You Do With Old Countertops?

If you are wondering what can you do with old countertops, you must be having an older home and wondering what to do with the worn-out pieces, right? Well, there are plenty of things you can do with the old kitchen countertops. To help you out, here are some of these things:

Update the countertops

Regardless of the type of countertops you have, you can easily update them. And the beauty is you don’t have to spend a fortune doing it. One of the best ways to improve the look of your countertops is to paint them. Check into your local paint shop and buy a few paint containers.

You should then spend a weekend painting the countertops, and you will have better-looking pieces.

If your countertops are old, chances are they also have a few nicks here and there. Before you paint them, fix these nicks first.

Painting is easy, and you can do it by yourself, but if you don’t have time or aren’t confident in your skills, let a professional handle it for you.

Trash the countertops

Are the countertops too old, or you don’t like them in your house? You can remove and throw them away. You don’t have to hire a contractor to help you remove laminate countertops as they are light and easy to remove. If removing granite, quartz, or any other heavy stone, let an expert handle the removal as you risk hurting your cabinets or even yourself in the process.

If you had installed the lighter laminate countertops, begin clearing any obstructions from the countertops, then disconnect the supply lines to the countertop fixtures. Follow it up by removing the sink and loosen the present adhesive. Once the countertops are loose, lift and dispose them off.

Donate the old countertops

If the countertops are still in good shape, you don’t have to throw them away while they can benefit other people. One great way to make them useful is to donate them to habitat for humanity or any other similar charity.

The cool thing with this move is you get to touch someone’s life, and at the same time reduce your tax bill. If paying less tax is important to you, talk to an accountant and determine how you can save from your donation.

While paying less tax is good, it shouldn’t be your sole motivator towards making the donation. Donate to make better use of the countertops and change lives.

Turn your countertops into a new product.

If you have granite or any other natural countertop, you can give it a new life by converting it into something useful. Some of the ways you can reuse the old countertops are to turn them into tiles, fire pits, shelves, tables, wall decorations, cutting boards, and centerpieces. The only thing you need to do is find a professional experienced in making the transformations, and you are good to go.

Recycle the countertops

With over 53 million tons of construction materials dumped in landfills every year, you should be the source of change. And what better way to do it than to avoid dumping your old countertops and instead recycle them.

Get in touch with your local recycling plant and let them know about your countertops. Some companies will charge you for the recycling, while most will do it free.

Preparing for new countertops

After you have removed the old countertops, your next move should be to prepare the new countertops’ surfaces. Get rid of any dirt or countertop remnants from the surfaces. Are the cabinets in good shape? If they are worn out, this is the best time to give them a makeover.

Once everything is in place, you should now install the new countertop. There is no right or wrong material you can install. It all depends on your tastes and the plans you have for the surfaces. Regardless of the type of countertops you are installing, ensure the work is done by experienced professionals such as certified granite contractors NC.

You don’t want a newbie botching up your expensive project, do you?

Can You Replace Kitchen Countertops Without Damaging Cabinets?

Many homeowners will simultaneously replace their countertops and cabinets, but if you don’t have a huge budget, you can replace them without replacing the cabinets.

While many homeowners replace the cabinets and countertops simultaneously, as they want a uniform look, others do it as they deem the cabinets will get damaged when replacing the countertops. Can you replace kitchen countertops without damaging cabinets? Yes, you can. You only need to be cautious about how you remove and install the countertops.

To help you out, here are the steps to follow when removing the old countertops:

Step 1: Remove everything from the countertops

This is a no brainer as there is no way you can remove the countertops with items still on them, can you? So remove appliances, books, cutlery and any other thing from the countertops. You also should take everything from the drawers and in the cabinets underneath the countertops and place the items in a safe place away from the area you are working in.

Step 2: Disconnect the supply lines.

Once everything is out of the way, shut off the supply lines to the countertop fixtures. These include the water and gas lines to the stovetop. For the drain line, use an adjustable wrench to loosen the large nuts holding the U or J-shaped trap to the sink’s main drain line. If you have a PVC connection, you should be able to loosen the connection by hand.

For the supply lines, turn off the valves for each fixture clockwise to the off position, then disconnect the lines from the valves using an adjustable wrench.

Step 3: Remove the sink

Depending on the type of sink you have, you should proceed to remove it from your countertops. If you have a drop-in fixture sink, use a putty knife or chisel to pry the sink away from your countertop. You will need to chop away at the layer of dried adhesive under the sink rim to free it.

If the sink is fastened to a tile countertop, you will need to chisel away the quarter tiles along the sink’s perimeter. Remember to remove any remaining mortar or adhesive with a caulk remover or chisel.

Do you have an under-mount sink? Unfasten the screws holding it to the countertop and remove the brackets underneath the sink. Using a flat chisel, remove the caulk acting as a seal between the countertop and sink. After you have freed the sink from the counter, it should come out easily, and all you need is to ask someone to help you pull it out, especially if it has an unwieldy double bowl configuration.

Step 4: Remove the countertops

With everything out of the way, now it’s time to get down to removing the countertops. Begin with loosening the adhesive holding the countertops in place. All you need to do is spray the adhesive with a caulk softener, then let the softener sit on the surface for one hour, then pry the adhesive away from the backsplash with a putty knife and workaround until the counter is loose enough to lift.

If your countertops are held into place by screws, unfasten them, then lift the countertop.

Step 5: Remove the countertops from the cabinets

Most countertops are bracketed to the base cabinets but if yours are attached to the base with nails or an adhesive, use a pry bar to remove them. Work slowly around the countertop and only use minimum force to avoid damaging the base cabinets.

Once the countertop is detached from the cabinets, use a flat chisel to remove the tiles from the countertop surface. Doing this frees the countertop and reduces the weight, making it easy to lift out. Once you have removed all the tiles, get in touch with granite contractors to remove the slab. Don’t try to remove the countertops by yourself, as you risk damaging the cabinets due to the heavyweight.

Step 6: Install new countertops.

Once the old countertop is out of the way, now it’s time to install the new countertop. Work with experienced countertop replacement NC professionals and professionally install the new countertops.

Can You Use Clorox Wipes On Granite?

Like other homeowners, you have Clorox wipes in your home, and when you are looking to disinfect your surfaces, they must be the first things you reach out to. But not so fast. Can you use Clorox wipes on granite?

Clorox wipes contain citric acid that can wear down the sealant on your granite countertops, exposing them to stains, spills, and other forms of damage. Due to this, you shouldn’t use Clorox wipes on granite.

How should you disinfect granite countertops?

Most people will tell you to use disinfectants specifically designed for granite counters, but the truth is that finding a product that is a perfect fit for your stone is a bit tricky.

So how should you disinfect the surfaces?

The best way to go about it is to use 70% isopropyl alcohol. Spray the alcohol on the surfaces and let it sit there for 3-5 minutes to ensure the surfaces are thoroughly disinfected.

You should then wipe the surfaces dry using a microfiber cloth to eliminate as many germs from the countertops as possible. For best results, work in sections.

It can be tempting to dilute the alcohol so that you have less concentration, but don’t do this as the alcohol’s effectiveness at killing the germs significantly drops when you dilute the alcohol below 50%.

If you have scoured the stores and can’t find 70% isopropyl alcohol, use soap with antibacterial properties. Head to your local store and buy a bacterial hand washing soap.

You should then mix the soap with warm water and wipe the granite surfaces using a microfiber cloth.

How often should you disinfect your countertops?

Countertop experts recommend you disinfect your countertops once a week, but you can do it more frequently if many people are coming into contact with your surfaces. The beauty is you don’t need to hire a professional to help with the disinfecting—you can easily do it on your own.

Tips to keep granite surfaces in top shape

Other than disinfecting granite, you need to take good care of it to keep it in top shape. Some of the things you should do include:

Clean the countertops

It goes without saying that cleaning granite countertops is a must if you want to keep them looking great for decades. The cool thing is you don’t need to be fancy when cleaning the countertops.

Begin with filling your clean sink with warm water and a mild soap, then thoroughly wet a clean dishcloth before proceeding to wipe the surfaces of any spills and cramps present.

Once you are done, dry and buff the granite surfaces thoroughly with a microfiber cloth or soft terry towel to avoid streaking.

When cleaning, don’t use acidic cleaners such as lemon, lime, vinegar, or anything with ammonia or bleach as it will dull or even weaken the granite seal. Remember, the harsher, the cleaner you are using, the quicker it is to break the sealant, so avoid using harsh chemicals at all costs.

Seal the countertops

Granite is porous, meaning that it quickly absorbs spills and collects stains easily. To protect the countertops from staining easily, seal them regularly. Like cleaning, you don’t need to hire a professional to help you with it.

Begin with spraying the cleaner onto a clean countertop surface, then wipe the spray up with a clean microfiber cloth. Wait for at least 20 minutes, then apply a second layer.

For peace of mind you have thoroughly sealed your countertops, apply the sealing product at least 3 times.

While all granite surfaces require sealing, how you do it varies depending on the type of stone you have. Some surfaces are treated with resins, so you don’t need to keep sealing them. Others require sealing every 6 months to a year. It’s up to you to research and find out the type of countertop you have and how to seal it properly.

Remove stains

You need to get rid of the stains on your surfaces to keep your countertops looking great. You can remove the stains at home by yourself using baking soda or water, but if the stains are tough, you may have to hire granite contractors Raleigh that use commercial stain removal products.